A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 25 April to Sunday 1 May 2022.
Monday, 25 April 2022
Crypto Thieves
Bahamas – FTX and SALT will jointly present a new event, Crypto Bahamas, that will debut this week from April 26-29 at the Baha Mar resort in Nassau. The invitation-only event will feature collaboration and networking among leading investors and builders in the digital assets industry… more
Data Breach Hits Sebas’ ‘Amazon’
Bahamas – Sebas Bastian’s regional e-commerce platform yesterday revealed it has been hit by a data breach that “compromised” the credit card information of Bahamians and other nationalities across the Caribbean and Latin America… more
Data exposé uncovers tourism stipend fraud
Cayman Islands – An embarrassing error for the Ministry of Labour last month, when around 3,000 names and email addresses of tourism stipend recipients were accidentally made public by staff at the ministry for border control, exposed a number of fraudulent claims, Labour Minister Chris Saunders has said… more
Hinds: 38 people fitted with electronic monitoring devices
Trinidad and Tobago – National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said 38 people have been fitted with electronic monitoring devices between April 28 last year and March 21… more
The un-blending of local education
Trinidad and Tobago – Last week, students returned to school. With that decision, the Ministry of Education seemed keen to brush its forced experience with online, blended learning off like dandruff flakes on a black velvet party dress… more
Tuesday, 26 April 2022
Crypto Bahamas could generate $12 mil. in revenue for country
Bahamas – FTX and SALT’s Crypto Bahamas conference is expected to generate $12 million in revenue “and other income” for the country and for local entrepreneurs as 2,000 delegates descend on Baha Mar’s conference center this week, FTX’s Vice President for Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility Valdez Russell said yesterday… more
CRYPTO REVOLUTION: FTX CEO says other countries “incredibly jealous” over Bahamas crypto exchange coup
Bahamas – The Bahamas has become a jurisdiction to be envied having attracted one of the world’s top cryptocurrency exchanges to its shores, the company’s CEO said yesterday… more
FTX breaks ground on $60 million headquarters
Bahamas – Cryptocurrency exchange FTX broke ground on its $60 million headquarters yesterday, revealing plans and sketches at the ceremony that show two hotel towers, offices and an athletics center… more
PM: Government will prepare Bahamians to embrace Fintech revolution
Bahamas – Prime Minister Philip Davis said yesterday that the government will ensure that Bahamians are ready for the Fintech revolution, as he lauded FTX Digital Market’s investment and philanthropic efforts in the country… more
PM meeting with another cryptocurrency ‘giant’
Bahamas – Prime Minister Philip Davis told the media yesterday following the groundbreaking ceremony for the headquarters of cryptocurrency exchange FTX that he was set to meet with another “digital crypto giant as I leave here”… more
4 Guyanese set for International Hackathon competition
Guyana – A group from the University of Guyana, including both past and current students, are on their way to represent Guyana at the first 5G for Change Hackathon, presented by Verizon in the USA… more
Alorica creates 350 new jobs for local market
Jamaica – As the local job market continues to rebound from the fallout experienced since the novel coronavirus pandemic, global business process outsourcing firm Alorica Inc is moving to add over 350 new openings to the market in its support of economic growth across the country… more
PwC survey: Cybercrime biggest threat to businesses
Trinidad and Tobago – SOME 46 per cent of organisations reported experiencing fraud or financial crime over the last 24 months, according to PwC’s Global Economic Crime and Fraud Survey 2022… more
Wednesday, 27 April 2022
GBPA’s REEF initiative building foundation for robust tech sector on GB
Bahamas – The SEED program (STEM Empowerment & Educational Development) is a further initiative of the Grand Bahama Port Authority Limited (GBPA) to enhance STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) development in local high schools… more
Just 6% Of Clients Hit By Data Breach At Sebas’ Venture
Bahamas – The e-commerce platform owned by Sebas Bastian yesterday said only 6 percent of customers were impacted by a recent data breach as it sought to reassure that all necessary measures are being taken to rectify the problem… more
Teens benefit from BTC’s parent ‘Future Tech Stars’ program
Bahamas – Over forty Bahamian teen girls aspiring to pursue careers in the field of tech, are one step ahead in realizing their dreams. Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), through its parent company Liberty Latin America (LLA), is affording them an exciting opportunity to learn more about the field of technology, specifically coding and web development… more
Let’s play the crypto game
Caribbean – Cryptocurrencies (or cryptos, I’m sure you have heard about Bitcoin or Ethereum). Yahoo Finance values the global crypto market at USD1.8 trillion, 291 times Jamaica’s 2021 gross domestic product (GDP), a goliath of an industry. Cryptos have made billionaires, are being adopted by governments, and are creating new industries… more
Eight innovators awarded USAID, GTT grants
Guyana – Eight persons were yesterday awarded cash grants through the Guyana Economic Development Trust (GEDT) to support their unique innovations and businesses… more
Lynk to the future of banking
Jamaica – From pen pals to direct messages, from dial-up Internet to fibre optics, brooms, and robot vacuums, new technological advancements are happening every day to make our lives easier, safer, and more convenient… more
Thursday, 28 April 2022
Agio Digital and Gryphon make history in The Bahamas
Bahamas – Two new businesses – Gryphon Investments Advisors Bahamas and Agio Digital Ltd. – have made history. The two investment firms recently formed an alliance to change the digital asset landscape in The Bahamas… more
Aliv: Third Mobile Player Will Damage Consumers
Bahamas – Aliv is urging regulators to stop viewing the mobile market as “silos” in its approach to over-the-top (OTT) services such as What’s App, while warning that permitting a third market entrant could undermine investment in 5G technology… more
FTX Attorney: Be ‘Thrilled’ At Digital Asset Feedback
Bahamas – A former Cabinet minister yesterday said the private sector “should be thrilled that the Government has institutionalised” how it will be consulted on the future evolution of the digital assets industry… more
BTC celebrates global girls in ICT Day
Bahamas – Today, April 28th, is being celebrated globally as International Girls in ICT Day, and Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) has thrown its full support behind girls and young women who seek to thrive in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)… more
Come To Bahamas, Pm Tells Digital Asset Firms
Bahamas – The Prime Minister yesterday urged digital asset firms to consider establishing a physical presence in The Bahamas while hailing the “transformative” impact the sector will have for all industries and the wider economy… more
Crypto Bahamas hopes to fill every room at Baha Mar in 2023
Bahamas – Crypto Bahamas organizers hope to fill every room at Baha Mar with conference attendees in 2023, SALT founder Anthony Scaramucci told the media yesterday… more
DPM Pledges ‘Innovative’ Digital Assets Approvals
Bahamas – The deputy prime minister yesterday pledged that the Government’s revamped investment promotion and approvals agency will be “transparent” and “innovative” in how it handles applications from digital assets providers… more
EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES: OKX crypto exchange eyeing Bahamas prospects
Bahamas – One of the world’s first and largest crypto exchanges is “exploring opportunities” in The Bahamas, local executives confirmed yesterday, noting that the company is monitoring developments in the country regarding the digital assets space… more
PM: Bahamas ready to be home for global leaders in crypto space
Bahamas – Prime Minister Philip Davis said yesterday that The Bahamas is ready to become the home of global leaders in the crypto space, stressing that this nation is not only open but ready for business… more
Scaramucci: Bahamas will become very influential in cryptocurrency
Bahamas – Anthony Scaramucci, founder of global thought leadership and networking forum SALT, has predicted that The Bahamas will become a “necessary destination” for people who are involved and want to be involved in Web3 and cryptocurrency… more
Second Crypto Exchange Eyes Bahamas Expansion
Bahamas – A second cryptocurrency exchange yesterday confirmed it plans to establish and grow a Bahamas presence although it has no plans yet to follow FTX in making this nation a headquarters… more
World’s second largest cryptocurrency exchange hopes to make Bahamas a hub
Bahamas – The world’s second largest cryptocurrency exchange, OKX, wants its OKX Bahamas arm to be the hub of its global operations, company executives from The Bahamas and across the world all agreed yesterday… more
BIBA Fintech webinar explores economic potential
Barbados – As Barbados grapples with how to solve the fallout from the correspondent banking retreat from Latin America and the Caribbean, a fix could be found in the adoption of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology… more
Celebrating International Girls in ICT Day
Belize – Міnіѕtеr оf Рublіс Utіlіtіеѕ, Еnеrgу, Lоgіѕtісѕ аnd Е-Gоvеrnаnсе Місhеl Сhеbаt hаѕ mаrkеd Іntеrnаtіоnаl Gіrlѕ іn Іnfоrmаtіоn аnd Соmmunісаtіоn Тесhnоlоgу (ІСТ) Dау, оbѕеrvеd еvеrу Арrіl 28… more
TRC to host public hearing on Digicel’s licence renewal application
British Virgin Islands – The Virgin Islands’ public is being given the opportunity by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) to weigh in on whether telecommunications giant Digicel’s license to operate in the BVI should be renewed… more
Online revision for CXC exams
Caribbean – In an effort to assist students taking this year’s Caribbean Examination Council’s (CXC) exams, the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training will offer free online revision sessions in the following subjects… more
Lynk to add merchant portal
Jamaica – In its quest to further transform the financial technology landscape, Lynk, NCB’s digital wallet, is moving to expand the list of offerings on its platform pending the addition of a merchant platform… more
OUR revises number portability guidelines
Jamaica – The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) has updated and revised the guidelines for number portability… more
[UPDATED] Cyberattack cripples Massy Stores, forces closure at 23 supermarkets
Trinidad and Tobago – A cyberattack crippled Massy Stores in Trinidad on Thursday forcing the supermarket giant to close its 23 stores islandwide… more
Updated: Massy Stores acknowledges cyberattack as source of business disruption
Trinidad and Tobago – Massy Stores confirms that it was the target of a cybersecurity attack which led to the technical difficulties experienced today at all stores across the country… more
The 12 disciplines of digital marketing
Trinidad and Tobago – Digital marketing as an overall industry has evolved to a place where when you take a step back, it no longer even looks like marketing… more
Friday, 29 April 2022
‘Creatures Of Evolution’: Digital Firm To Top $130m
Bahamas – A Bahamian digital payments provider yesterday predicted it will this year “top” the $130m worth of transactions it settled in 2021, and said of this shift: “This is not going to be the norm; it is the norm.”… more
Deltec Chief: Banks Quietly Investing In Crypto Talents
Bahamas – A Bahamian financial institution’s chief executive yesterday said traditional financial services providers are quietly making “huge investments” in digital assets talent and infrastructure as they embrace the inevitability of its evolution… more
Digital Assets Industry ‘A Major Opportunity’ For The Bahamas
Bahamas – PRESS Secretary Clint Watson said the government is working with key stakeholders to ensure that Bahamians can benefit from the digital assets industry… more
Leading businessman lauds govt for crypto framework
Bahamas – A leading businessman, real estate broker and innovative thinker has lauded the government for what he called “taking the lead in the digital asset world” and urged a major overhaul of school curriculum to prepare young Bahamians to understand and benefit from the rapidly changing world of finance… more
Sun Cash app enabled to buy and sell cryptocurrency
Bahamas – Sun Cash’s app has been enabled to buy and sell cryptocurrency and is its principals are only awaiting the day The Central Bank Of The Bahamas allows the use of Bahamian currency to invest in digital assets, the company’s Head of Business Development Raymond Smith told Guardian Business yesterday… more
BOJ: New global payments system is mandatory
Jamaica – Bank of Jamaica, BOJ, which coordinates the national payments system in Jamaica and chairs the statutory body, the National Payments System Council, NPSC, says the transition to a new messaging system for financial institutions is inevitable… more
Traditional Finance Providers Have ‘Duty’ To Embrace Crypto
Bahamas – Deltec Bank & Trust’s chairman yesterday asserted that traditional financial services providers have a “duty” to help innovators in the digital assets and crypto currency space… more
Saturday, 30 April 2022
ECTEL Celebrates 22 Years of Regulating Electronic Communications in the Region
Caribbean – The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) has been the regional regulatory body advising the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commissions (NTRCs) on electronic communications matters in its five (5) Member States namely; the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines since 4th May 2000. In simple terms, ECTEL works with the NTRCs to promote consumer rights and harmonised benefits in the electronic communications sector in its Member States… more
Hundreds of ECD households to get GTT Fibre + Voice this month — as GTT expands its Fibre + Voice Service
Guyana – Hundreds of households on the East Coast Demerara corridor will now have access to high-speed internet and an improved calling experience with the rollout of GTT Fibre + Voice in the Enterprise Area on April 30, 2022, the company said in a statement.. more
Sunday, 1 May 2022
Data protection compliance systems could take a year to set up
Jamaica – A lawyer versed on the Data Protection Act is telling business owners to move swiftly on their development of policies and procedures that would bring their organisations in compliance with new data protection laws… more
Flow VP captures business pioneer award
Trindiad and Tobago – Flow TT vice president Simone Martin-Sulgan has been honoured with the Women of Influence Business Pioneer Award 2022. It was presented by the Association of Female Executives of TT (AFETT) on April 22… more
Images credit: (Mick Baker)rooster (flickr); Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Guyana Chronicle; Aliv; Jamaica Observer; Facebook; ECTEL
