The "research" deal between the State Bank of Mauritius (SBM) and SALT, which offers a platform that allows users to borrow against their cryptocurrency holdings, will see that the bank is testing this particular application.
The development represents the final step in a broader effort to ensure that Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean with a population of 1.2 million people - the hub for launches of blockchain startups. That goal, put forward by local officials last spring, was reflected in the bank's statements.
It is noteworthy that the chairman pointed out that the bank was interested in a potential component of the startup credit services that could see that SBM provides financing for the platform. Nevertheless, discussions on this particular issue appear to be in the early stage.
As part of the Mauritian government's plans to develop the island as a blockchain center, representatives from ethereum startup ConsenSys visited the country in the summer to meet with members of both the public and private sectors. The ultimate goal of the research negotiations was the creation of the so-called “Etherium island” to promote the innovators of the blockchain, seeking to separate in Africa, Asia and elsewhere.
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