Category: crypto
-
Finding New Paths for Ni-Vanuatu Artists I’ve been following developments in cryptocurrency and distributed ledger technology (DLT) for some time now. The way these technologies are reshaping industries has always fascinated me, especially when it comes to their potential impact on small island nations like ours. The music industry in Vanuatu has always faced unique…
·
-
Lataro Island, a private island in the northern region of Vanuatu, is now being promoted as “Satoshi Island” — a bold initiative led by businessman Anthony Welch. The island has become a focal point for an ambitious real-world blockchain experiment that aims to blend cryptocurrency ideals with off-grid living. Welch, who owns the island, has…
·
-
Virtual assets are playing an increasingly important role in Vanuatu’s financial future, contributing to the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission’s (VFSC) record VT363 million revenue share payment to the Government for the 2024 financial year. At a handover ceremony on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, VFSC Commissioner Branan Karae presented the final quarter cheque of VT149 million…
-
As fintech and cryptocurrency platforms grow more accessible worldwide, small island nations like Vanuatu face unique challenges. The recent high-profile Coinbase extortion case is a stark reminder of how sophisticated international cyber threats can exploit weaknesses—even those beyond our borders. While Vanuatu may not have been directly impacted, the incident signals a clear warning: our…
-
Foreign cryptocurrency companies exploiting Vanuatu’s regulatory environment are tarnishing the nation’s reputation and undermining the legitimacy of its digital asset sector. A notable example is the Lithuanian crypto project Bankera, which, after raising tens of millions through an initial coin offering (ICO), saw its co-founders channel over €45 million to a Vanuatu-based bank they had…
·
-
Lithuanian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into Bankera, a cryptocurrency startup with direct ties to Vanuatu, following revelations that tens of millions of euros raised in a 2018 token sale were funneled through a Vanuatu-registered financial institution. The investigation was prompted by a joint report from the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP)…
·
Mattdotvu 