Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin gains traction in West Africa with educational drive

Bitcoin (BTC) adoption in West Africa is dominated by Nigeria, the crypto powerhouse and the region’s economic engine. But against a backdrop of anti-French sentiment, Bitcoin educational efforts are also bubbling away in French-speaking West Africa.
Senegal recently opened its first physical Bitcoin exchange and education center called Bitique, and the country of 17 million people will host another Bitcoin Forum in the capital, Dakar, in December, where pseudonymous local Bitcoin advocate, known as Nourou, runs an independent Bitcoin node beamed from space.
In Benin, a country of 13 million people to the west of Nigeria, the Bitcoin-only Bitcoin Mastermind conference takes place next month. The first of its kind in the country, Bitcoin Mastermind unites Bitcoin entrepreneurs and crypto enthusiasts from homegrown groups and businesses such as Izichange, GoesPay and Flash, and it offers locals a space to learn about Bitcoin.
Cointelegraph spoke with Nourou, the founder of Dakar Bitcoin Days and Bitcoin Senegal, and Loïc Kassamoto, the founder of Bitcoin Mastermind, to better understand the Bitcoin and West African crypto evolution — or revolution.
A rising tide lifts all boats
Countries in French-speaking West Africa are subjected to the West African CFA franc currency, described by the Economist as a “colonial hangover.” The Senegalese are vocal in their criticism of the currency, with some Bitcoin advocates, such as local crypto enthusiast and entrepreneur Mama Bitcoin, explaining that it’s pretty normal to complain about the currency — an implicit criticism of post-colonial French policy in the region.
Anti-French sentiment has historically existed in the region but has recently manifested in public demonstrations. Neighboring Mali recently dropped French as the nation’s official language — a law in place since the country won its independence in 1960.
In Niger, to the east of Mali and north of Nigeria, a recent military coup represented a significant setback for French President Emmanuel Macron and France’s military strategy in the region. Well-known French newspaper Le Monde commented that the coup was a “new heavy blow” for France’s military strategy in Niger’s Sahel region.
A groundswell of alternative currency initiatives is occurring across French-speaking West Africa. Growing numbers of Senegalese are turning to Bitcoin as a savings tool and a means of exchange, while in Benin, Bitcoin Mastermind’s Kassamoto told Cointelegraph the number of Beninois turning to Bitcoin is also on the up.
Magazine: Bitcoin in Senegal: Why is this African country using BTC?
In the West, much financial discussion and education tends to take place online. However, the emphasis in West African countries is on physical meetups and real-life interaction. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nourou said that discussions about Bitcoin and money were transferred and confined to online platforms such as ClubHouse and X (formerly Twitter), but more and more physical spaces have opened up post-pandemic.

Indeed, as Kassamoto explains, one of the keys to unlocking deeper levels of financial education and demonstrating how West Africans could use a decentralized currency such as Bitcoin is through interactions in the real world:
“Bitcoin conferences, meetups and shops provide opportunities for education, outreach and direct interaction. Conferences and meetups bring the community together, share knowledge and exchange experiences.”
Norou opened Bitique, which is Dakar’s first physical Bitcoin store for buying and selling cryptocurrency. He explained that in addition to trading services, there will also be educational programs for people to learn about Bitcoin in person: “Training courses will be around 10,000 francs [$16] for two or even three hours of training.”
The in-person training goes hand in hand with a series of classroom sessions that Bitcoin Senegal conducts nationwide called the “Baol Digital Kids” program, which teaches kids how to use Bitcoin and the Lightning Network.
@SeckIdrissa, un membre actif de notre communauté, vient d’animer une session de sensibilisation sur la thématique Bitcoin/cryptomonnaies à de jeunes enfants, lors du “Baol Digital Kids” organisé par @xaralatech.
Une initiative à encourager et à soutenir pic.twitter.com/aX4u9kVFoz— ₿itcoin Sénégal (@bitcoin_sen) August 11, 2023
The kids in the video who received and sent their first satoshis via the layer-2 Lightning Network can spend the money at a growing number of merchants listed on the open-source Bitcoin tool BTCmap.org. In just 18 months, Dakar has developed from one small Bitcoin office to tens of artisans, restaurants and cafés accepting the cryptocurrency.
Nourou recently received a Blockstream Satellite kit, which, once set up, will allow him to run a Bitcoin node that will be protected against network interruptions. The internet service can sometimes be patchy and unreliable in West Africa. According to Blockstream, the satellite kit ensures that any connected Bitcoin full node “will not be isolated or partitioned,” with blocks streaming continuously for the node to verify.
Across a few borders in Benin, Kassamoto, along with his peers, runs what he believes to be one of Benin’s first Bitcoin nodes.
8GB of Ram and using the Ubuntu process from Umbrel and bim we became probably one of the first to run a Bitcoin node in Benin
We’ll share more experience about this soon.
— Loïc Kassamoto (@Loicbtc) January 24, 2023
He explains that Bitcoin adoption has increased, but it comes with risks due to its association with crypto:
“Bitcoin adoption in West Africa is greatly helped and hindered by cryptocurrencies.”
Kassamoto said that the money-making side of crypto attracts more and more people into the “crypto universe,” but crypto scams, loss and rug pulls taint Bitcoin’s appeal. The promise of crypto riches drawing noobies into Bitcoin is not necessarily good.
“It’s toxic for Bitcoin because these people are very quickly disappointed with their loss and associate it with Bitcoin because they haven’t even had time to understand the difference between the two,” he said.
Kassamoto said that “Bitcoin, not crypto,” is what the West African community should understand.
There are more Bitcoin meetups and, therefore, more opportunities to demonstrate what many Bitcoin exchanges and thought leaders have preached for some time: that there could be a difference between Bitcoin and the rest of the crypto market.
Related: Worldcoin cryptocurrency project suspended in Kenya
The Central African Republic, which made headlines in 2022 for adopting Bitcoin as legal tender, was elevated and then dropped by large swathes of the Bitcoin community. After adopting Bitcoin, it announced its own crypto token, Sango Coin, while the country is now experimenting with tokenizing real-world assets such as farmland.
In Ghana, to the east of Benin, another large Bitcoin and educational conference will occur this year. Strike CEO Jack Mallers and Human Rights Foundation chief strategy officer Alex Gladstein will speak as part of a Bitcoin educational drive in West Africa.
Cryptocurrency
NEXST Launches Web3 VR Entertainment Platform with K-Pop Group UNIS as First Global Partner

[PRESS RELEASE – Dubai, UAE, July 7th, 2025]
Revolutionizing fandom with AI, VR, and Web3 technology
Leading the next wave of immersive digital entertainment, NEXST proudly announces the launch of its groundbreaking VR division, powered by cutting-edge AI, VR, Web3, and Real-World Assets (RWA). The platform’s first major collaboration features rising global K-Pop sensation UNIS, making their virtual debut in a revolutionary new format.
As a next-generation AI-driven entertainment platform, NEXST is on a mission to reshape how fans connect with artists. With immersive VR content, real-time interactivity, and digital ownership through Web3, NEXST offers fans an entirely new way to experience music and storytelling.
“We believe the future of entertainment is immersive, decentralized, and artist-centric,” said Axel Gutman, Co-Founder of NEXST.
“Welcoming UNIS to the NEXST VR LIVE platform is just the beginning. We’re excited to announce more collaborations with global artists and top K-Pop stars in the coming months.”
Introducing NEXST VR LIVE: Immersive Web3-Enabled Experiences
NEXST VR LIVE is a dedicated division focused on creating immersive XR experiences using Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). This initiative bridges globally famous artists, beloved IPs, and interactive VR environments—seamlessly integrated with Web3 technology.
Key features include:
- Virtual concerts and performances with world-class artists
- Interactive fan experiences powered by AI
- Web3 integration that allows fans to own, trade, and participate in the entertainment economy
- A smooth Web2-to-Web3 transition for mainstream fans
Inaugural Artist Announcement: K-Pop Powerhouse UNIS Joins NEXST VR LIVE!
Kicking off the launch is UNIS, the powerhouse K-Pop girl group formed through SBS’s hit survival show UNIVERSAL TICKET. Since their 2024 debut with WE UNIS and breakout single SUPERWOMAN, UNIS has captured the hearts of fans worldwide with their energy, vocals, and fierce Gen Z appeal.
By partnering with UNIS, NEXST taps into a vibrant, global fanbase—helping transition millions of Web2 music fans into the Web3 world.
$NXT Token: Powering the Web3 Entertainment Economy
The $NXT token powers the NEXST entertainment platform with real-world and digital utilities that enhance fan engagement, access, and ownership.
- Exclusive Access: Unlockig VR concerts, discounted live tickets, VIP events, and early content drops.
- AI & Fan Interaction: Accessing premium AI agent features, advanced LLM tools, and participate in artist growth via fan voting.
- GameFi Rewards: Earning $NXT through gameplay, unlock in-game NFT items, and receive exclusive airdrops.
Details about the $NXT will be released soon via NEXST’s official social channels.
The Road Ahead: NEXST’s Vision for a Connected Future
NEXST will continue to push the boundaries of innovation by integrating AI, VR, and Web3 technologies across various entertainment domains, including music, live performances, and fan communities. Following UNIS, we aim to deepen collaborations with a diverse array of global artists and IPs, consistently delivering next-generation entertainment experiences that foster deeper connections between fans and artists.
We invite you to anticipate more groundbreaking events, collaborations, and updates as we collectively build the future of entertainment.
About NEXST
NEXT INNOVATIONS TECHNOLOGY L.L.C is a cutting-edge entertainment platform developer based in the UAE, dedicated to pioneering next-generation digital experiences.
Staying Connected with NEXST
About UNIS
UNIS is an 8-member South Korean girl group formed through SBS’s survival audition program UNIVERSE TICKET. After debuting on March 27, 2024, with their first mini-album WE UNIS, they have remained highly active, releasing their first single album CURIOUS in August of the same year and unveiling SWICY in 2025. Since their debut, they have continued to expand their global presence through various music shows and events.
UNIS Official Channels
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Cryptocurrency
We Asked Gemini, ChatGPT, Grok Where Cardano (ADA) Will End 2025: The Verdict Will Surprise You

TL;DR
- With bitcoin sitting close to its all-time high of almost $112,000, the general perception among traders and investors is that the bull market is still going on.
- As such, we decided to ask a few of the biggest AI solutions (Grok, ChatGPT, and Gemini) about one of the most popular altcoins – ADA, and its market potential this cycle.
How High Can ADA Go?
Unlike our similar article regarding XRP, the AI solutions provided more skeptical and, in some cases, bearish price predictions for ADA. ChatGPT, for example, warned investors not to anticipate fireworks from Cardano’s native token by the end of the year, stating, “Expect ADA to float in the $0.55-$0.65 range early in H2.”
Its most aggressive scenario envisions a price surge to somewhere between $1-$2, but said it’s not very likely the asset will go this high. Additionally, it cautioned users that if market support falters in the following months, ADA can drop well below its current levels of around $0.6.
Grok was slightly more bullish on the token’s future price trajectory. Its most realistic price range by the end of the year is “likely between $0.9 and $2.05, with an average around $1.21 and $1.48 if key resistance levels (e.g., $1.1) are breached and market conditions remain favorable.”
It touched upon some of the most extreme predictions circulating online, such as ADA at $7, but labeled them as “less credible without unprecedented adoption.”
Gemini described the overall market sentiment toward Cardano as “cautiously optimistic.” However, it warned that its price could struggle for the next few months and end the year at $0.55, which would mean a lower level than the current one.
What Would Drive This Volatility?
Although their price targets for the end of the year differentiated, the AI solutions were united in terms of what could drive the price gains or losses.
If ADA is to surge toward the most bullish zones outlined in the previous paragraphs, certain factors need to be aligned, ChatGPT, Grok, and Gemini said. One of the most important is the potential approval of a spot ADA ETF in the US. The current odds, according to Polymarket, are above 80% for a green light, and several companies have filed to launch such financial vehicles.
If approved, they can attract significant institutional interest, which would be a price booster. Other factors that could send ADA higher include technical upgrades, such as the January-implemented Plomin, which introduced a more sophisticated on-chain governance procedure, expanding the blockchain’s DeFi capabilities, and the overall market structure.
However, the AI chatbots also indicated that regulatory uncertainty, ecosystem stagnation, or broader market downturns could cap ADA at $0.6 or push it even lower. Consequently, the trio warned that investors should do their own research and not rely solely on AI-based predictions.
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Cryptocurrency
Ethereum Price Analysis: Is ETH Primed for Further Gains After Surge Past $2.5K?

Ethereum recently broke above the 200-day moving average and completed a pullback; however, the lack of strong bullish momentum suggests a higher likelihood of continued sideways consolidation.
Technical Analysis
By ShayanMarkets
The Daily Chart
After a period of consolidation between the 100-day and 200-day moving averages, ETH successfully broke above the 200-day MA at $2.5K, followed by a pullback. While this move is typically viewed as a bullish signal, ETH has failed to demonstrate strong follow-through, indicating weak market participation and insufficient bullish momentum.
As a result, the likelihood of continued sideways consolidation has increased. Currently, the price remains trapped between the 200-day MA and the critical $2.8K resistance level, with a decisive breakout in either direction needed to establish the next major trend.
The 4-Hour Chart
On the lower timeframe, Ethereum’s recent rally was halted at a key bearish order block between $2,625 and $2,670, a zone that has consistently attracted selling pressure. The rejection has led to a retracement toward the $2.5K support level — a historically significant zone where buyers have previously stepped in.
As anticipated, ETH found temporary support here and attempted a minor rebound. However, the current lack of trading volume and diminished bullish momentum suggests the potential for another rejection at the overhead resistance. Until a breakout above $2,670 or below $2.5K occurs, Ethereum is expected to remain range-bound.
Sentiment Analysis
By ShayanMarkets
This chart presents the Binance Liquidation Heatmap, highlighting zones where significant liquidation events are likely to occur. These areas often act as liquidity magnets, attracting price action due to the concentration of leveraged positions. Large market participants, commonly referred to as whales, tend to exploit these zones to enter or exit positions efficiently.
Currently, a prominent cluster of liquidation levels is situated just above the $2.6K mark, suggesting a strong likelihood that Ethereum’s price could gravitate toward this region. If reached, it may trigger a short-squeeze, fueling further upward momentum and potentially propelling ETH toward new local highs.
Conversely, another substantial liquidity pool resides below the $2.5K level, implying the possibility of a downward move to tap into this zone. As a result, Ethereum remains confined within a tight range between these liquidity clusters, awaiting a decisive breakout to determine the next directional move.
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Cryptocurrency charts by TradingView.
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