Zest

Big news out of the African fintech world: Okra, the Nigerian startup that helped lay the groundwork for open banking on the continent, has officially shut down.
The confirmation came from co-founder and former CEO Fara Ashiru, who announced the company’s closure in May 2025. After five years of pushing boundaries and building new financial pathways, Okra has closed its doors.
Founded in 2019, Okra started with a simple mission — make it easier to connect fintech apps to Nigerian banks. That mission came straight from Fara’s own experience. With a résumé that includes stints at Canva, BMW, and JP Morgan, she returned to Nigeria to solve a major problem: fragmented bank data and a lack of easy API access.
The solution? A powerful, secure API that let users sync their bank accounts with third-party apps. It was game-changing.
Within months, Okra was everywhere. Usage of its API jumped by 175% in early 2020. Big-name partnerships followed, and the company raised over $16.5 million in funding. Okra didn’t just build software — it set the standard for safe, real-time financial data sharing in Africa.
But in May, the team made the tough call to wind things down.
In her farewell statement, Fara said, “It was an incredible journey; we built impactful technology, worked with some of the biggest brands across the continent, and helped pioneer open banking in Africa.” She thanked everyone — the team, the customers, the investors — who believed in their vision.
Now, she’s moving on to her next adventure, stepping into the role of Head of Engineering at Kernel, a UK-based startup, as of June 2025.
Okra’s exit signals a larger shift happening in Africa’s fintech ecosystem. Regulations are tightening. Investors are becoming more cautious. But the groundwork has been laid.
And this is where Zest steps in.
While startups like Okra have opened the door to what’s possible, Zest is helping investors walk through it — with smarter access to Africa’s digital financial evolution. Zest works with retail and institutional investors seeking strong, passive income strategies by backing solid ventures in fintech, real estate, crypto, and beyond.
So, as the chapter on Okra closes, the story of African innovation is far from over. With players like Zest helping to fund and scale the next generation of financial infrastructure, the momentum continues.

#AfricanFintech #OpenFinance #StartupClosure #techinnovation #FaraAshiru #kernel #Nigeria #fintech

هناك شيء واضح يتصاعد مع إيثريوم (ETH)، والأموال الذكية لا تنتظر. بينما لا يزال معظم المتداولين الأفراد يشاهدون تحليلات يوتيوب، بدأت المؤسسات بالفعل في القيام بحركات كبيرة.
دعنا نحلل ذلك:
كان ETH نوعاً ما هادئاً - يتحرك جانبياً فقط. ثم، فجأة، انخفض تحت المستويات المنخفضة الأخيرة ("تغيير في الشخصية" أو CHoCH). يبدو سلبياً، أليس كذلك؟ ليس بهذه السرعة. هذا سلوك حيتاني كلاسيكي: فخ الثيران المتأخرة، والاستيلاء على بعض السيولة، ثم الانعكاس.
بالضبط بعد تلك الانخفاض، ارتد ETH بشدة، متجاوزاً المستويات السابقة (كسر في الهيكل، أو BOS). عادةً ما يكون ذلك الأموال الذكية التي تعكس الوضع وتتقدم على بقية المستثمرين.

استمع. معظم الناس يجهدون بشأن المال باستمرار. يؤثر ذلك على كل شيء. إذا كنت تعاني، فجزء من السبب هو أنك لم تدرك أن كسب المال مهارة. يمكنك تعلمها، وممارستها، وإتقانها. لذا، أعد تشكيل عقلك بشأن المال، لأن هذه هي الخطوة الأولى للحصول على ما تريده.
وإذا كنت مستعدًا فعلاً لبدء تطبيق ما تعلمته؟ هنا يأتي دور Zest - يمكننا مساعدتك في تحويل الفهم المالي إلى عمل، مع عوائد يمكن أن تصل إلى 24% سنويًا.
كل شيء في عقلك:

كان هناك وقت كان فيه وجود البيتكوين في ميزانيتك توضيحاً كبيراً. قادت مايكروستراتيجي الهجوم، تلاها ماراثون هولدنجز، ورايوت بلاتفورمز، وجالاكسي ديجيتال. كانت السردية بسيطة: "البيتكوين هو الذهب الرقمي - خزنه الآن، واشكرنا لاحقاً."
لكن انظر عن كثب... الأسماء الكبيرة الحقيقية - آبل، جوجل، مايكروسوفت، أمازون - لم تنضم إلى الحفلة أبداً. لماذا؟
قالت كاثي وود مؤخرًا بوضوح: ميزة المبتدئين في البيتكوين تتلاشى بسرعة. أصبحت لعبة الخزائن مزدحمة. وبينما عالق الحشد في البيتكوين، هناك شيء أذكى يتخمر.

BNB Chain’s recent Maxwell Hardfork cut block times from 1.5 seconds to just 0.75 seconds, making it one of the fastest blockchains around. Finality now hits in just 1.875 seconds.
But why should you care?
If you’re investing, trading, or building in crypto, faster networks = better performance, higher demand, and possibly stronger returns.
⚡ 1. Speed x2 (BEP-524)
Transactions are now twice as fast.
✅ Quicker swaps
✅ Faster DeFi/GameFi performance
✅ Smoother user experience
More activity on the chain = more demand for BNB, which could impact price positively.
At Zest, we see faster chains like this as fertile ground for strategic investment—especially when adoption is growing fast.
🟡 Note: Validators need to keep up with the speed, which could raise operating costs and reduce decentralization if smaller players drop off.
🤝 2. Better Validator Sync (BEP-563)
Validators now communicate more efficiently, keeping the network stable even at high speeds.
✅ Stronger reliability
✅ Fewer missed blocks
✅ More trust for investors and developers
This is especially key for DeFi investors who depend on smooth, real-time execution.
⚙️ 3. Faster Node Setup (BEP-564)
BNB Chain made it easier for new nodes and developers to sync faster and scale more smoothly.
✅ Lower network congestion
✅ Better dev experience
✅ More dApps, more users, more growth
It’s a solid sign of scalability—and for Zest clients, that’s exactly what we look for in blockchain ecosystems before recommending exposure.
🌍 Ecosystem at a Glance
📊 $166B DEX volume in June
👥 1.2M+ daily active wallets
📈 58% jump in revenue (Q1 2025)
The fundamentals are trending up—even if BNB’s market cap dipped recently. That kind of mismatch? Often an opportunity.
Some analysts are forecasting BNB at $800–$1,500 in the near term. Whether it gets there or not, the network is clearly evolving in the right direction.
Why Zest Is Watching Closely 🔎
At Zest, we help investors tap into emerging opportunities across crypto, real estate, and stocks—with average annual returns over 12%.
We monitor upgrades like Maxwell because they often spark new user growth and stronger fundamentals—exactly what long-term investors want to see.
Final Thoughts
BNB Chain is faster, smoother, and better equipped for DeFi, NFTs, and Web3. That’s big news—for users, devs, and investors alike.
📌 Keep an eye on BNB. And if you're not sure how to position yourself, chat with Zest to explore your options.
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#BNBChain #CryptoNews #altcoins #DeFi #ZestInvests #Web3 #bnb #blockchain $BNB

Bitcoin’s price is soaring, up 4.18% in a single day, and the crypto world is buzzing. In the middle of this frenzy, AguilaTrades, a bold player in the trading game, doubles down with a massive $242 million long position on Bitcoin—2,246 BTC, to be exact. This isn’t just a casual dip into the market; it’s a high-stakes move fueled by 20x leverage, the kind of bet that can make or break fortunes. With Bitcoin flirting around $107,500, the question on everyone’s mind is: Is AguilaTrades riding the wave to new riches, or are they one misstep away from another gut-punch loss?
Let’s rewind a bit. AguilaTrades isn’t new to this. They’ve had their moments of glory, raking in $77.36 million in profits on Bybit over the past year and even pocketing a cool $20.42 million in a single day last November. But the road hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Just weeks ago, they took a brutal $32.7 million hit across three failed 20x leveraged bets. Ouch. One trade alone saw $10 million in unrealized gains vanish into a $2.5 million loss because they didn’t cash out in time. Yet, here they are, back in the ring, swinging big with confidence that’s either inspiring or reckless—depending on who you ask.
But why the optimism? Bitcoin’s been flexing lately, breaking free from a bearish pattern in May and holding strong above $107,000. The charts are flashing bullish signals—four MACD crossovers since January—and big money is pouring in, with $120 million flowing into Bitcoin ETFs on June 19. Even the stock market’s got a spring in its step, with the Nasdaq jumping 1.2% recently, giving risk-on assets like Bitcoin a tailwind. AguilaTrades is clearly banking on this momentum to carry Bitcoin toward $112,000 or beyond.
But here’s the catch: 20x leverage is like playing with fire. A 3-4% dip could wipe out their position, with liquidation looming around $104,020. We’ve seen this movie before—big bets like theirs have triggered $4,000+ price drops in the past. Just a few weeks ago, $50 million in long positions got liquidated in a single day, and negative funding rates hinted at bears lurking in the shadows. Add in the stock market’s occasional wobbles—like the S&P 500’s 1.2% drop on June 9—and you’ve got a recipe for volatility that could turn AguilaTrades’ dreams into a nightmare.
So, what’s the vibe? Right now, AguilaTrades is sitting on $1.22 million in unrealized profits from their latest $216 million position, showing they’ve timed this one better so far. But their Achilles’ heel—holding on too long—could come back to haunt them. If Bitcoin keeps climbing and institutional cash keeps flowing, they could be laughing all the way to the bank, maybe even erasing those recent losses. But if the market turns, a small correction could snowball into a liquidation disaster.
This is crypto at its wildest: a high-roller’s gamble where the stakes are sky-high, and the line between genius and folly is razor-thin. Will AguilaTrades ride Bitcoin’s wave to glory, or are they one tweet, one dip, one bad day away from another costly lesson? Keep your eyes on $105,000 support and those stock market headlines—it’s going to be a wild ride.
By the way, am still helping clients grow their crypto investment. Chat me up for more details.
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#BitcoinBet #AguilaTrades #CryptoGamble #BitcoinSurge #HighStakesTrading

Hey, guess what? On June 29, 2025, El Salvador dropped another Bitcoin $BTC into its stash, and I’m totally here for it! I saw this post from @DaInvestopedia on X, and it’s like, whoa, Nayib Bukele’s crew is still at it, scooping up BTC like it’s the hottest deal at a flea market. They’ve been grabbing at least one Bitcoin every single day since November 2022, and now their pile is over 6,055 BTC—worth almost $600 million! Can you imagine that? It’s like they’re building a digital treasure chest while the rest of the world is still figuring out crypto.
I mean, Bukele’s basically saying, “We’re all in!” and it’s so cool to see a country just go for it. They’re not just dipping their toes; they’re diving headfirst into the Bitcoin pool, and it’s paying off. This daily buying thing—dollar-cost averaging, if you wanna get fancy—means they’re playing it smart, snagging coins no matter if the market’s up or down. It’s like buying your favorite snacks every day, so you’ve got a stash when the party starts. El Salvador’s setting the vibe for what a country can do when it bets on the future. Honestly, it’s got me wondering if I should increase my own little Bitcoin collection.
Anyway, if you will like to key into wealth building potential of cryptocurrency, then chat me let's help you generate over 12% APR from your Crypto Investments.

#BitcoinBoom #ElSalvador #cryptonation #FutureOfMoney #StrategyBTCPurchase