Crypto & Blockchain Researcher
Smott Charles
Smott Charles writes about cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, stablecoins, digital assets and emerging crypto use cases across African markets. His work examines how blockchain-based technologies are evolving beyond speculation into practical applications in payments, settlement and digital finance.
Articles by Smott Charles
41 articles
CryptoHow to Invest in Cryptocurrency in Kenya: Costs, Risks and Legal Considerations
Sub-Saharan Africa's crypto economy grew 13.4% in Chainalysis's 2026 reporting period. A Kenya-focused guide to investment costs, custody, taxes, risks and final VASP rules.
Smott Charles
PaymentsHow Kenyan Businesses Can Accept USDT and USDC Payments in 2026
A Kenya-focused, step-by-step guide to receiving USDT or USDC from international customers, including network checks, invoices, compliance and KES settlement.
Smott Charles
GuidesPaxful Alternatives in 2026: P2P Markets and Direct-Buy Options
Paxful has closed, and NoOnes has stopped P2P trading. Compare alternative marketplaces with Finlazo's distinct non-P2P buying route.
Smott Charles
CryptoWhat Kenyans Should Know Before Buying Their First Bitcoin
Your first Bitcoin purchase needs more than a price check. Understand the asset, payment route, full cost, custody and delivery before approving the order.
Smott Charles
CryptoWhere Does Your Bitcoin Go After Buying It with M-Pesa?
Your M-Pesa receipt records the payment. Check whether Bitcoin is credited to a provider account or delivered to your wallet, and who controls access.
Smott Charles
CryptoM-Pesa vs PesaLink for Buying Bitcoin in Kenya
M-Pesa and PesaLink have different payment arrangements. Compare the accepted route, full Bitcoin quote, account limits and delivery terms before paying.
Smott Charles
CryptoHow to Calculate How Much Bitcoin KSh 5,000 Can Buy
A KSh 5,000 Bitcoin calculation starts with the actual buy quote and the amount left after fees. This worked guide explains BTC, satoshis and delivery costs.
Smott Charles
CryptoM-Pesa STK Push Failed During a Bitcoin Purchase: What to Check
A missing payment prompt, a recorded M-Pesa debit and a pending Bitcoin order are different stages. Check the existing attempt before approving another request.
Smott Charles
CryptoM-Pesa Transaction Limits When Buying Bitcoin in Kenya
M-Pesa's payment ceilings and a Bitcoin platform's order limits are different. Check the amount available, daily allowance, fees and delivery terms before paying.
Smott Charles
CryptoCrypto Wallets That Accept M-Pesa in Kenya: What Actually Works?
M-Pesa can fund crypto through an exchange purchase or P2P order. See what official wallet and provider sources confirm, and what to check before paying.
Smott Charles
CryptoWhy Bitcoin Prices in Kenyan Shillings Differ Between Platforms
Bitcoin's shilling price can reflect a market quote, USD/KES conversion, spread and fees. Check why platform rates differ and how to compare the final order.
Smott Charles
CryptoBitcoin Scams in Kenya: How to Spot Them Before You Pay
Bitcoin scams can start with fake profits, altered M-Pesa details or a support call. Check the warning signs, protect account secrets and know where to report.
Smott Charles
CryptoBuying Bitcoin with M-Pesa vs P2P in Kenya
M-Pesa can fund direct Bitcoin purchases and P2P trades. Compare payment verification, counterparty risk and the final BTC received before choosing a route.
Smott Charles
CryptoCan You Buy Bitcoin with KSh 100 or KSh 1,000 in Kenya?
Bitcoin is divisible into 100 million satoshis. Whether KSh 100 or KSh 1,000 can buy BTC in Kenya depends on order minimums, fees and withdrawal rules.
Smott Charles
CryptoHow Much Does It Cost to Buy Bitcoin with M-Pesa in Kenya?
What does buying Bitcoin with M-Pesa really cost? Compare Safaricom payment charges, exchange spreads and worked KES examples before you buy BTC in Kenya.
Smott Charles
GuidesHow to Buy Crypto With EFT in South Africa (2026 Complete Guide)
Learn how to buy crypto with EFT in South Africa, including ZAR deposits, payment references, processing times, fees and the steps to complete your purchase.
Smott Charles
GuidesEFT vs PayShap vs RTC vs Crypto: Comparing Ways to Move Rand in South Africa 2026
Compare EFT, PayShap and crypto transfers in South Africa. Learn what each method moves, how fast they are, the costs, limits and when each option makes the most sense.
Smott Charles
GuidesHow to Buy USDC in South Africa (A 2026 Complete Guide)
Learn how to buy USDC in South Africa with rand, compare ZAR funding methods, choose the right blockchain network, move USDC safely, and understand taxes and CARF.
Smott Charles
GuidesHow to Buy Solana in South Africa with Rand (2026 Complete Guide)
Learn how to buy Solana (SOL) with South African rand, choose a suitable platform, withdraw SOL safely, understand Solana fees and SPL tokens, and evaluate staking and tax considerations.
Smott Charles
GuidesHow to Buy Ethereum in South Africa with Rand (2026 Complete Guide)
Learn how to buy Ethereum in South Africa with rand, including ZAR funding, ETH fees, gas, ERC-20 tokens, Layer 2 networks, staking, taxes and safe storage.
Smott Charles
GuidesHow to Buy USDT (Tether) in South Africa with Rand (2026 Complete Guide)
Learn how to buy USDT (Tether) in South Africa with rand, including EFT and card funding, fees, taxes, regulation, wallet networks and safe buying practices.
Smott Charles
GuidesHow to Buy Bitcoin in South Africa With Rand (2026 Complete Guide)
Learn how to buy Bitcoin in South Africa with rand, including ZAR funding, card and EFT options, fees, taxes, regulation, custody and safe buying practices.
Smott Charles
GuidesHow to Buy Crypto in South Africa With Rand (2026 Complete Guide)
Learn how to buy crypto in South Africa with rand, including ZAR funding, provider selection, fees, regulation, tax, custody and the main crypto assets.
Smott Charles
PaymentsMalawi Cryptocurrency: Adoption, P2P Trading, Stablecoins and the Digital-Asset Market
Malawi has a growing crypto ecosystem shaped by P2P trading, stablecoins, mobile money and increasing digital-asset activity. Explore adoption, market risks and the forces shaping the country's crypto sector.
Smott Charles
PaymentsBotswana Cryptocurrency: Adoption, Bitcoin, Stablecoins and the Digital-Asset Market
Botswana has a growing digital-asset market shaped by Bitcoin, stablecoins, P2P trading and regulated VASPs. Explore adoption, market activity, crypto infrastructure and the trends shaping the country's ecosystem.
Smott Charles
PaymentsZimbabwe Cryptocurrency: Adoption, P2P Trading, Stablecoins and the Digital-Asset Market
Zimbabwe has a growing crypto ecosystem shaped by P2P trading, stablecoins and changing financial conditions. Explore adoption trends, Bitcoin use, digital assets and the forces shaping the local market.
Smott Charles
GuidesEthiopia Cryptocurrency: Adoption, P2P Trading, Bitcoin Mining and the Digital-Asset Market
Ethiopia has a surprisingly active crypto market despite its restrictive environment. Explore adoption, P2P trading, Bitcoin mining, stablecoins and the digital infrastructure shaping the country's crypto ecosystem.
Smott Charles
PaymentsMauritius Cryptocurrency: Adoption, Trading, Stablecoins and the Digital-Asset Market
https://finlazo.com/blog/mauritius-cryptocurrency
Smott Charles
PaymentsSeychelles Cryptocurrency: Crypto Adoption, Exchanges, P2P Trading and the Market
Seychelles has played an outsized role in the global crypto industry despite its small population. Explore its exchange ecosystem, P2P activity, crypto-CFD market, stablecoins and the forces shaping its digital-asset sector.
Smott Charles
PaymentsRwanda Cryptocurrency: Adoption, P2P Trading, Stablecoins and the Crypto Market
Rwanda's crypto market is developing around P2P trading, stablecoins, Bitcoin and digital-asset platforms. Explore how people use cryptocurrency, the assets gaining traction and the factors shaping the country's emerging crypto ecosystem
Smott Charles
PaymentsCryptocurrency in Zambia: Bitcoin, Stablecoins, Adoption and the Growing Crypto Market
Explore cryptocurrency in Zambia, including Bitcoin, stablecoins, crypto adoption, mobile money, regulation, cross-border payments and the latest market statistics
Smott Charles
PaymentsCryptocurrency in Tanzania: Adoption, Bitcoin, Stablecoins and the Growing Crypto Market
Explore cryptocurrency in Tanzania, including Bitcoin, stablecoins, crypto adoption, mobile money, regulation, cross-border payments and the latest Tanzania crypto market statistics.
Smott Charles
PaymentsCryptocurrency in Egypt: Adoption, Bitcoin, Stablecoins and the Crypto Market
Explore cryptocurrency in Egypt, including crypto adoption, Bitcoin, stablecoins, exchanges, wallets, scams and Egypt's strict regulatory position on digital assets
Smott Charles
PaymentsCryptocurrency in Ghana: Adoption, Bitcoin, Stablecoins and the Future of Crypto
Explore cryptocurrency in Ghana, including crypto adoption, Bitcoin, stablecoins, DeFi, cross-border payments, Ghana’s growing digital asset market and the latest crypto developments.
Smott Charles
PaymentsCryptocurrency in Nigeria: Market Size, Adoption, Bitcoin, Stablecoins and the Crypto Economy
Explore cryptocurrency in Nigeria, including market size, adoption, Bitcoin, stablecoins, DeFi, trading, cross-border payments and the latest crypto market data.
Smott Charles
PaymentsCryptocurrency in Uganda: Adoption, P2P, Stablecoins and Market Outlook 2026
Uganda’s cryptocurrency market is becoming more visible in 2026. Explore crypto adoption, P2P trading, stablecoins, DeFi, mobile money and the latest market outlook.
Smott Charles
PaymentsCrypto in Kenya: Adoption, Payments, Stablecoins and the Market in 2026
Kenya is one of Africa’s most active cryptocurrency markets. Explore the latest data on crypto adoption, P2P trading, stablecoins, mobile money, cross-border payments and the regulatory changes shaping the market in 2026.
Smott Charles
PaymentsCryptocurrency in South Africa: Market, Adoption, Bitcoin and Stablecoins in 2026
South Africa has one of Africa’s most developed cryptocurrency markets, driven by strong trading activity, growing stablecoin use and a rapidly expanding regulated CASP ecosystem. Explore how Bitcoin, stablecoins, taxation, regulation and blockchain-based payments are shaping the future of crypto in South Africa.
Smott Charles
PaymentsCrypto and Stablecoins in Africa: From Speculation to Financial Infrastructure
Africa's crypto economy is expanding beyond speculation, with stablecoins increasingly used for cross-border payments, dollar access and digital settlement. Explore the data, opportunities and risks shaping Africa's crypto future.
Smott Charles
PaymentsThe Rise of Cryptocurrency in Africa: Adoption, Use Cases and the Future
Cryptocurrency adoption is accelerating across Africa, driven by payments, stablecoins, cross-border transactions, investment, and demand for dollar-denominated value. Explore how digital assets are evolving from speculative instruments into practical financial infrastructure.
Smott Charles
CryptoHow to Buy Cryptocurrency in Kenya in 2026: M-Pesa, Banks and Costs
How to buy cryptocurrency in Kenya using M-Pesa, Airtel Money, PesaLink, banks, cards or P2P. Compare exchanges, KSh costs, wallets and 2026 VASP rules.
Smott Charles