Slash Financial, a business banking and payments platform, has raised $100 million in a Series C round at a $1.4 billion valuation, achieving unicorn status. The round was led by Ribbit Capital, with Khosla Ventures and Goodwater Capital which led the prior Series B co-leading. Returning investors included New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Y Combinator participating […] The post Slash Financial Raises $100M in a Series C Round at $1.4B Valuation appeared first on Tekedia.

A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Circle Internet Group (issuer of USDC) over its handling of the April 1 Drift Protocol hack on Solana. On April 1, 2026, hackers widely attributed by blockchain analytics firm Elliptic to North Korean state-sponsored actors, likely Lazarus Group exploited Drift Protocol, a Solana-based DeFi platform, draining roughly $280–285 […] The post Circle USDC Faces Class-action Suit Over its Handling of Drift Protocol Hack appeared first on Tekedia.

Africa’s most prominent industrial conglomerate is preparing for a partial opening of its flagship energy asset, a move that signals both confidence in its operational turnaround and a shift toward capital recycling for an aggressive expansion programme spanning refining, petrochemicals, and mining. Aliko Dangote confirmed in Washington that about 10% of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and […] The post Dangote to Open 10% of Refinery to Public Markets Across Africa appeared first on Tekedia.

San Francisco startup Loop is out to do more than patch up the world’s notoriously tangled supply chains. It wants to give them something closer to foresight — turning fragmented, chaotic data into clear, forward-looking recommendations that help companies avoid trouble before it starts. Think of it as the difference between a doctor who simply […] The post Loop Raises $95m to Make Supply Chains Think Ahead Instead of Just React appeared first on Tekedia.

The Nasdaq Composite finished higher for its 12th consecutive trading day, marking its longest winning streak since July 2009 roughly 17 years ago. It closed at approximately 24,102.70, up about 0.36% on the day, while also hitting a fresh record high. The S&P 500 rose modestly to a new all-time closing high of around 7,041.28; […] The post Nasdaq Composite Finishes Higher for its 12th Consecutive Trading Day appeared first on Tekedia.

Drift Protocol got hit with a $280-285M exploit on April 1, 2026 — largely tied to a sophisticated social engineering attack that compromised multisigs, with North Korean hackers allegedly involved. A big chunk ($232M) moved through USDC via Circle’s Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP). Circle faced heavy criticism for not freezing the stolen funds quickly, citing […] The post Tether and Solana Foundation Rescue Drift Protocol with $150M Credit Line and $20M Grant appeared first on Tekedia.

Charles Schwab is preparing to launch direct spot trading for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) in the coming weeks (phased rollout starting in Q2 2026, within the first half of the year). The service, branded Schwab Crypto, will operate through its subsidiary Charles Schwab Premier Bank and allow clients to buy/sell these assets directly alongside […] The post Charles Schwab Preparing to Launch Direct Spot Trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum  appeared first on Tekedia.

Cybersecurity for Small Business Owners: The 5 Things You Actually Need Cyberattacks are no longer just a big company problem. Today, small businesses are frequent targets. The reason is… TechCity

A venture capital firm with roots in the MENA region has brought its most ambitious cross-border bet to life, landing five founders from Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, and Egypt in the Bay Area for an eight-week residency designed to embed them into the heart of the global AI ecosystem. Propeller, the VC firm focused on AI […] The post Five MENA Deep-Tech Startups Touch Down in Silicon Valley for Propeller’s First-Ever Kernel Camp appeared first on Tech In Africa.

By Boluwatife Oshadiya | April 17, 2026 Key Points Main Story The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has denied claims that it banned airtime borrowing and data advance services in Nigeria, describing the reports as false and misleading. In a statement issued Friday, the Commission clarified that it had not issued any directive […] Continue reading %%POSTNAME%% at %%BLOGNAME%%.

By Boluwatife Oshadiya | April 17, 2026 Key Points Main Story The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has opened an investigation into a reported data breach at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), escalating concerns over the security of government-held data and digital infrastructure. The probe, initiated under Section 46(3) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act […] Continue reading %%POSTNAME%% at %%BLOGNAME%%.

What if the next big crypto opportunity is already in front of you, but most people haven’t noticed it yet? Finding the best crypto to buy today can feel like searching for hidden treasure, especially when so many coins are competing for attention. From well-known names like Litecoin, Tron, Cardano, and Solana to rising players […] The post Is APEMARS The Best Crypto To Buy Today? Stage 16 Surge With 2,300% ROI Potential, Among Top 10 Coins You Can’t Ignore appeared first on Tekedia.

The US government has transferred approximately 8.2 BTC worth about $606,000 at the time to a Coinbase Prime institutional wallet. On-chain data tracked by platforms like Arkham Intelligence and Lookonchain shows the funds came from wallets linked to Bitcoin seized in connection with the 2016 Bitfinex hack. The transfers occurred in two parts, roughly 8 […] The post US Government Transferred Approximately 8.2 Bitcoin to Coinbase Prime Institutional Wallet appeared first on Tekedia.

Netflix (NFLX) shares fell sharply in after-hours trading on April 16, 2026, dropping around 8-10%; trading near $98 or lower from a regular-session close around $107.79 despite the company beating Wall Street expectations for its Q1 2026 earnings and revenue. Key Q1 2026 Results Revenue stood at $12.25 billion, up 16% year-over-year and above consensus […] The post Netflix’s NFLX Shares Fell Sharply in Hour Trading Despite Beating Wall Street Expectations in Q1 Revenue  appeared first on Tekedia.

Publicly traded Bitcoin mining companies collectively sold more than 32,000 BTC during Q1 2026 (January–March), exceeding their total net sales for the entire year of 2025. This marks a new quarterly record for miner selling, surpassing the previous high of around 20,000 BTC in Q2 2022 during the Terra-Luna collapse bear market. Major sellers included […] The post Bitcoin Mining Companies Collectively Sold ~32,000 BTC in Q1 2026 appeared first on Tekedia.

A quiet but consequential shift is underway in the global semiconductor race, as a cluster of European startups moves to challenge the dominance of Nvidia by targeting what many see as the next decisive frontier in artificial intelligence: inference. While Nvidia’s graphics processing units have become the backbone of the AI boom, powering the training […] The post Europe’s AI Chip Startups Chase Nvidia With Billion-Dollar Ambitions—and Structural Constraints appeared first on Tekedia.

The war powers resolution (H.Con.Res. 40) directing President Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes continued action failed by a margin of 213-214. The vote broke down almost entirely along party lines: Nearly all Democrats supported the resolution to constrain or end the military involvement. Nearly all Republicans opposed […] The post US House War Powers Resolution Vote on US/Israeli Actions on Iran Failed by a Margin of 213-214 appeared first on Tekedia.

The European Commission has approved a German state aid scheme worth €3.8 billion to provide temporary electricity price relief for energy-intensive companies. Similar smaller schemes were approved for Bulgaria (€334 million) and Slovenia (€90 million). Retroactive from January 1, 2026, through the end of 2028. To lower electricity costs for companies in energy-intensive and trade-exposed […] The post European Commission Approves a German State Aid Scheme Worth €3.8B for Electricity Price Relief appeared first on Tekedia.

A recent viral clip from the Jack Neel Podcast features Professor Jiang Xueqin, a Beijing-based educator and YouTuber with a large following on his Predictive History channel arguing that Bitcoin was likely created by the CIA or U.S. deep state as a surveillance and operations-funding tool. He frames it through game theory: Who had the technical […] The post Bitcoin Community Opposes Prof Jiang Xeuqin Postulations of CIA or Deep State As Creator of BTC  appeared first on Tekedia.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) issued BPRD Circular Letter No. 10 of 2026, formally lifting the blanket ban on cryptocurrency-related banking services that had been in place since 2018. Banks and other SBP-regulated financial institutions can now open and maintain bank accounts for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) that are duly licensed by the […] The post Pakistan Moves from Crypto Prohibition to Controlled Transition  appeared first on Tekedia.

The S&P 500 surged and closed at a new all-time high of 7,022.95, breaking above the psychologically important 7,000 level for the first time. The Nasdaq also hit a record close, while the Dow was roughly flat. This marks a strong recovery in recent sessions, with the index climbing from levels around 6,700–6,800 earlier in […] The post Global Markets Appear to be Buying the Hope of De-escalation in the Middle East appeared first on Tekedia.

The Trump administration has an ongoing ban and restriction on federal agencies fully working with Anthropic, partly stemming from the Pentagon labeling the company a supply-chain risk earlier. This appears tied to tensions over Anthropic’s policies such as reluctance to support certain military applications like mass surveillance or autonomous weapons and broader national security reviews. […] The post White House and Federal Agencies Accessing Anthropic’s Mythos Model Despite a Ban appeared first on Tekedia.

Nigerian telecom providers are reviewing their digital lending services to consumers following new rules by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), passed in July 2025. Those guidelines apply to any entity involved in the provision, facilitation, or administration of digital or non-traditional consumer lending, bringing airtime and data advances into scope and requiring operators to obtain licences and meet the compliance requirements before continuing the services. 

The online casino industry in 2026 has hit a plateau of its own making. Legacy titans that once revolutionized the space are now coasting on brand awareness, relying on top-heavy VIP structures that actively ignore mid-tier players. Conversely, the aggressive new wave of Web3 disruptors has fallen into the trap of tokenization, forcing players to […] The post Spartans Casino Rockets to 14th Globally While Stake Fatigues Players & Shuffle Pushes Volatile Tokens appeared first on Tekedia.

U.S. stocks jumped Friday after Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz “completely open” to commercial shipping, removing one of the biggest overhangs that had weighed on markets for weeks. The move, announced on X by Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, came hours after a fragile 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took hold and […] The post Stocks Soar as Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz, Easing Energy Fears and Fueling a Broad Relief Rally appeared first on Tekedia.

Iran on Friday declared the Strait of Hormuz fully open to commercial shipping, marking a significant de-escalation signal in a conflict that has rattled global energy markets and disrupted one of the world’s most critical transit corridors. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said the reopening would apply for the duration of the ongoing ceasefire linked […] The post Iran Declares Strait of Hormuz Open Under Ceasefire Terms as Oil Prices Slide and U.S. Pressure Persists appeared first on Tekedia.

Nigeria has taken a decisive step to overhaul how short-term interest rates are determined, with the Central Bank of Nigeria introducing the Nigerian Overnight Financing Rate (NOFR), a transaction-based benchmark designed to bring greater transparency, credibility, and efficiency to the country’s money market. The new rate, developed in collaboration with the Financial Markets Dealers Association, […] The post CBN Unveils Overnight Financing Rate (NOFR) to Reset Nigeria’s Money Market, Strengthen Policy Transmission appeared first on Tekedia.

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is investigating a series of unusually timed trades in oil futures that occurred minutes before President Donald Trump’s Truth Social posts announcing policy shifts related to the U.S.-Iran conflict. The investigation focuses on trades executed on platforms operated by CME Group including NYMEX and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). Regulators […] The post U.S. CFTC Investigating Series of Unusually Timed Trades in Oil Futures  appeared first on Tekedia.

Bitwise Asset Management has launched its spot Avalanche ETF (ticker: BAVA) on the NYSE. The fund provides direct exposure to AVAX while incorporating in-house staking through Bitwise Onchain Solutions, targeting roughly 5.4% annualized staking rewards. Bitwise plans to stake ~70% of the fund’s AVAX holdings (keeping ~30% in a liquidity reserve) to participate in Avalanche’s […] The post Bitwise Onchain Solutions Launches AVAX ETP with over $2.5M Trading Volumes in its First Hours appeared first on Tekedia.

South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF) has announced that it has selected a pilot project titled Pilot Project for Treasury Fund Execution Based on Blockchain Digital Currency as part of the 2026 targeted regulatory sandbox program. The initiative will test blockchain-based deposit tokens; digital representations of bank deposits issued on a distributed ledger […] The post South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance Announces Pilot Project for Digital Currency  appeared first on Tekedia.

Good People, Alhaji Aliko Dangote will deliver the 37th Public Lecture of my alma mater, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, on Saturday, April 25, 2026. And when he is done, a peerless icon of Africa’s entrepreneurial capitalism will be honoured with the Ikenga, FUTO’s enduring symbol of strength, excellence, and citizenship (two of mine in […] The post Dangote at FUTO for 37th Public Lecture: A Gathering of Enterprise, Leadership, and Service appeared first on Tekedia.

Shalom Osiadi founded Esca Finance after naira volatility directly affected his family’s property investments in Nigeria, exposing how quickly currency swings can erase value in dollar terms.

Enugu is building 260 smart schools across the state, combining technology, funding, and curriculum reform to tackle deep-rooted learning gaps and modernise public education.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has issued a formal warning that domestic airlines may suspend all flight operations nationwide starting Monday, April 20, 2026, due to the unsustainable surge in aviation fuel (Jet A1) prices. Jet A1 has risen from around ?900 per litre as of late February 2026 to ?3,300 per litre now […] The post Airline Operators of Nigeria Warns about Suspension of All Flight Operations Due to Unsustainable Surge in Jet A1  appeared first on Tekedia.

World Liberty Financial (WLFI), the Trump family-backed DeFi project, posted a governance proposal, to restructure the unlocking of approximately 62.28 billion locked WLFI tokens. The plan differentiates between two main groups of locked tokens: Early supporters about 17.04 billion WLFI tokens: These would shift to a 2-year cliff, no tokens unlock for the first 2 […] The post World Liberty Financial Proposes Unlocking 62.28B Locked WLFI Tokens, as BTC Enters Post Rejection Consolidation Zone  appeared first on Tekedia.

Sequoia Capital has closed one of its largest funds in recent memory, securing roughly $7 billion for a new vehicle aimed squarely at late-stage investments in the United States and Europe. The amount nearly doubles the $3.4 billion it raised for a comparable fund in 2022, signaling the firm’s conviction that the AI opportunity is […] The post Sequoia Capital Raises $7bn Late-Stage Fund, Betting Big on AI’s Expanding Ecosystem Beyond the Model Builders appeared first on Tekedia.