In this week’s news roundup, we cover top stories like Bundle’s hiring of blockchain engineers and FastBitcoins expansion into Africa.
Bundle Africa is Hiring Blockchain Engineers
Nigeria-based social payments company, Bundle Africa, is searching for blockchain engineers. Bundle offers a platform where users can send and receive fiat or crypto. Also, users can purchase and sell bitcoin, ether, and binance coin.
If you are interested in this remote position, you should have a minimum of three years of experience working as a professional software engineer. You should also have a deep understanding of Java, Kotlin, and Spring Framework. Moreover, you should have formerly worked in a project creating established blockchains.
The perfect candidates should have previous experience with asset protocol integration and working for a financial technology company.
The blockchain engineer role entails tasks like building financial infrastructure and connecting with the developer community. Bundle will also expect successful candidates to promote technology best practices in the team. Bundle Africa is developing an app that can handle both crypto and non-crypto financial assets.
That said, this position is a perfect opportunity for African blockchain engineers to make their mark. To apply for this position, send your curriculum vitae and Github profile to info@bundle.africa. It is worth noting that successful applicants will receive payment in crypto or fiat.
South Africa’s Standard Bank Joins Contour Blockchain Network
Standard Bank, a Johannesburg-based financial institution, has joined the Contour Blockchain Network. Contour is a network that brings together global banks onto a blockchain-based network.
The network uses the Corda blockchain to facilitate trade finance by minimising the cost, risk, and time of carrying out business across borders. Therefore, banks that join this network will enjoy paperless operations and easier collaboration with other banks. Additionally, they will benefit from easy integration with current trade finance platforms.
“The African continent is in a unique position to leapfrog other more developed markets through the use of disruptive technology. [That said,] Standard Bank is excited to be part of this network to deliver an open platform for documentary trade. The use of Corda blockchain technology is expected to offer significant efficiencies to transacting Letters of Credit through digital channels,” the bank wrote in a statement.
Some of the other banks that have joined the Contour Network include Bangkok Bank, CTBC Holding, HSBC, Citi Ventures, and Standard Chartered.
Note that Standard Bank is the largest lender in Africa by assets.
FastBitcoins Partners with Flexepin to Allow Africans to Buy Bitcoin via Mobile Money
Bitcoin Exchange FastBitcoins and prepaid voucher provider Flexepin have come together to enable Africans to buy bitcoin through mobile money. Users in Africa can purchase a Flexepin voucher using mobile money. Next, they can redeem it for bitcoin on FastBitcoins. Examples of mobile money platforms that users can utilise are MTN Mobile Money and M-PESA.
“The big one for me, personally, is we can accept mobile money payments in 14 countries in Africa. We charge only 4.5 percent. The best price equivalent on, say, Paxful, is 40 percent. That is all through this Flexepin deal,” FastBitcoins CEO Danny Brewster stated.
Flexepin facilitates online payments without the need for a debit or credit card. As a result, users can shop online privately and securely. On the other hand, London-based FastBitcoins allows users to receive BTC through the lightning network and to redeem vouchers. Flexepin operates in Australia, Canada, and Europe. FastBitcoins also operates in Australia.
Interestingly, most financial institutions were previously reluctant to work with companies dealing with cryptocurrencies. For example, in 2015, Safaricom announced that it would not allow bitcoin transactions over M-PESA to avoid the central bank’s anti-money laundering penalties. However, this partnership indicates that these institutions are changing their perspective of crypto.