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Jumia Reports Mixed Q4 2024 Results Amid Operational Gains And Revenue Decline

By
Ojukwu Emmanuel
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0

Africa’s e-commerce giant Jumia, on Thursday released its fourth quarter (Q4) 2024 report, showcasing a mixed performance with operational improvements tempered by revenue decline.

Jumia reported a revenue of $167.5 million, down 10% year-over-year, compared with $186 million recorded in the previous year. The Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) dropped 12% to $206.1 million.

The company’s operating loss widened significantly to $17.3 million from $4.5 million in Q4 2023, with liquidity decreasing to $133.9 million.

Despite the negative trends, Jumia also recorded positive developments, which include the following

Operational Strength: Jumia saw 18% growth in Physical Goods Orders (excluding South Africa & Tunisia) and 8% growth in Quarterly Active Customers without increasing marketing costs.

Strategic Expansion: The company expanded in secondary cities and strengthened supply from international sellers, which accounted for 31% of items sold in Q4.

Black Friday Success: Strong sales performance underscored improving customer demand and product expansion.

International seller contribution rose to 31% of items sold, and Net Promoter Score improved, indicating stronger customer satisfaction.

Customer repurchase rates increased by 375 basis points.

Full-year 2024 operating loss improved by 10% YoY, decreasing to $66.0 million from $73.3 million in 2023.

Commenting on the report, Jumia’s CEO Francis Dufay expressed satisfaction, noting that he is proud of what the company accomplished in 2024.

He said,

“I am proud of what we have accomplished in 2024. We saw robust growth in secondary cities, expanded our supply from international sellers, and further improved marketing efficiency. In the fourth quarter, excluding South Africa and Tunisia, we achieved strong acceleration in our key usage metrics, with Physical Goods Orders and Quarterly Active Customers increasing by 18% and 8%year-over-year, respectively, without an increase in marketing costs. We closed the year on a high note with strong Black Friday sales, underscoring that our strategy is working”.

Dufay further expressed optimism about 2025 noting that the business is stronger and more efficient than it was just two years ago. He noted that Jumia is well-positioned to deliver sustainable growth and achieve profitability.

Notably, despite financial setbacks, Jumia made notable operational strides. The 18% order growth in core markets achieved without increased marketing spend, demonstrates improving unit economics and platform efficiency. Additionally, expansion into secondary cities now accounts for 56% of total orders, up from 49%, marking a strategic push for market penetration.

The rise in international sellers to 31% (a 9.5 percentage point increase YoY) signals a more diversified product selection while reducing inventory risk and working capital needs. This shift mirrors marketplace strategies successfully deployed in other emerging markets, potentially leading to stronger gross margins over time.

2025 Outlook

Jumia projects a 15-20% increase in physical goods orders, with GMV estimated between $795-830bmillion. The company also expects a loss before income tax of $65-70 million, reflecting a 28-33% reduction in losses.

To achieve these targets, Jumia is focusing on expanding cashless payments through JumiaPay and optimizing logistics. However, execution risks and currency volatility remain potential challenges. While operational efficiency is improving, sustained growth will depend on the company’s ability to manage costs and drive profitability in the coming quarters.

The company also plans to enhance its product assortment with competitive pricing and strengthen relationships with international sellers.

“The business is stronger and more efficient than it was just two years ago, and I believe we have a good opportunity ahead of us. We plan to double down on expansion outside the main urban centers, expand our product assortment with competitive pricing, and strengthen relationships with international sellers. To improve our path to profitability, we will continue to enforce cost discipline and enhance operational and marketing efficiency” Jumia wrote.

Apple CEO Tim Cook to Meet Trump Amid Tariff Scare and Privacy Clashes

By
Samuel Nwite
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0

Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook is set to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, as the tech giant faces growing uncertainty over U.S.-China trade tensions and privacy disputes with the U.S. government.

The meeting, first reported by Bloomberg, comes at a time when business leaders across industries are scrambling to mitigate the impact of Trump’s proposed tariffs, which could disrupt supply chains and drive up costs for American consumers.

A source familiar with the meeting said Cook and Trump will discuss a range of issues, but the agenda was not disclosed. However, analysts expect the conversation to revolve around two critical challenges for Apple: Trump’s tariffs on Chinese-made goods and Apple’s continued resistance to government demands for backdoor access to encrypted iPhones.

Since Trump’s reelection, Cook has made a concerted effort to maintain a working relationship with the administration, attending Trump’s inauguration last month and visiting his Mar-a-Lago estate during the presidential transition. However, the growing threat of sweeping tariffs on tech products has prompted Apple and other U.S. companies to seek clarity on how they will be affected—and what they can do to protect their businesses.

Apple, the most valuable company in the world, is particularly vulnerable to Trump’s aggressive trade policies, given its heavy reliance on China for manufacturing and the U.S. for sales. The president has repeatedly vowed to impose tariffs on a broad range of imports, arguing that higher duties will force U.S. companies to shift production back home.

Apple relies on Chinese manufacturers like Foxconn and Pegatron to assemble its flagship devices, including the iPhone. With a 10% tariff on Chinese-made goods already in place and the possibility of even steeper duties in the coming months, Apple could face higher production costs, forcing the company to either raise prices for consumers or absorb the financial hit.

During Trump’s first term, Cook was able to negotiate tariff carve-outs for some Apple products, ensuring that key devices like the iPhone and MacBooks remained exempt from new duties. However, this time around, Trump has suggested that those special exemptions may not be granted.

Adding to Apple’s troubles, China is reportedly considering launching an antitrust probe into the company’s App Store fees, a move that could jeopardize Apple’s dominance in one of its largest markets.

U.S. Companies Scramble to Limit Tariff Fallout

Apple is not alone in its concerns. Business leaders across multiple industries have been scrambling to assess the potential impact of Trump’s tariffs and devise strategies to limit the damage.

Since Trump’s reelection, CEOs of major corporations—including automakers, tech firms, and retail giants—have been holding internal meetings and strategy sessions to determine how to curtail the financial burden of new tariffs. Some companies are considering diversifying supply chains, shifting production to other countries, or pushing price increases onto consumers.

Walmart CFO John David Rainey recently warned that while two-thirds of Walmart’s products are sourced domestically, tariffs on imported goods from Canada, Mexico, and China would still have a ripple effect, raising costs for businesses and consumers.

“We’ve lived in a tariff environment for the last seven or eight years, and we’ll do what we know how to do,” Rainey told CNBC. “We’ll work with suppliers, lean into our private brand, and shift supply where necessary.”

Many companies fear that steep new tariffs could reignite inflation, which had begun to ease after a period of rapid price increases during the post-pandemic economic recovery. The Federal Reserve has already factored the tariff debate into its calculations, recently warning that potential new trade restrictions could push inflation higher, forcing the central bank to delay interest rate cuts.

The Federal Reserve noted in its recent report that business contacts in a number of districts indicated that firms would attempt to pass on to consumers higher input costs arising from potential tariffs.

Privacy Battle: Trump vs. Apple on Encrypted Phones

Beyond trade concerns, Apple and Trump’s administration have clashed over data privacy, particularly regarding encrypted iPhones. Trump has long pressured Apple to help law enforcement unlock devices linked to criminal investigations. However, Apple has repeatedly refused to build a backdoor into its iOS system, citing user security risks.

Trump has criticized Apple’s stance on encryption, arguing that the company should cooperate more with federal law enforcement.

Apple, on the other hand, has defended its privacy policies, arguing that creating a backdoor for one case would weaken security for all users.

With Trump pushing for tougher regulations on tech companies, privacy advocates worry that Apple may come under renewed pressure to compromise its encryption policies.

What’s at Stake for Apple?

Analysts expect that Cook’s meeting with Trump could have significant implications for Apple’s future, particularly in three key areas:

  • Trade and Tariffs – If Apple fails to secure exemptions, it risks higher production costs, potential supply chain disruptions, and higher prices for consumers.
  • China’s Regulatory Threats – An antitrust investigation in China could undermine Apple’s App Store revenue and threaten its market position in Asia.
  • Privacy and Government Access – Trump may push Apple to weaken its encryption policies, setting a dangerous precedent for digital privacy.

While Cook has successfully navigated political challenges in the past, analysts warn that Apple’s current situation may be different.

Bank of America estimates that whatever Apple does with manufacturing, and wherever it does it, the company will face a minimum of a 10% tariff. In its calculation, the Bank of America added that Apple would face a loss of 26 cents in earnings per share. That amounts to a drop of around 3% across calendar year 2026.

Binance-US Resume USD Services in the United States

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
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0

As of February 19, 2025, Binance.US has officially resumed USD services for its customers in the United States, marking the end of a nearly 19-month period during which these services were suspended. This development allows eligible users to once again deposit and withdraw U.S. dollars via ACH bank transfers with zero processing fees, purchase cryptocurrencies using bank transfers, and trade USD pairs. The rollout of these services began on February 19 and is being phased in gradually over the following days to ensure all eligible customers regain access.

The restoration follows a challenging period for Binance.US, which suspended USD transactions in June 2023 due to regulatory pressures, including a lawsuit from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) alleging compliance failures. The company was forced to operate as a crypto-only platform during this time, a move interim CEO Norman Reed described as a significant setback. However, recent regulatory clarity and efforts to secure compliant banking partners have enabled Binance.US to reinstate these fiat services. At launch, trading is supported for 10 USD pairs, including BTC/USD, ETH/USD, and SOL/USD, with plans to expand further.

Regulatory pressures refer to the challenges and constraints imposed on businesses, like Binance.US, by government agencies and laws designed to oversee and control their operations. In the context of cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance.US, these pressures often stem from efforts to ensure compliance with financial regulations, protect consumers, and prevent illegal activities such as money laundering or fraud. Let me break it down based on what happened with Binance.US and the broader crypto industry:

Binance.US, the American arm of the global cryptocurrency exchange Binance, faced significant regulatory scrutiny starting in 2023. The key event was a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in June 2023. The SEC alleged that Binance.US (and its parent company) violated securities laws by offering unregistered securities—essentially claiming that certain cryptocurrencies traded on the platform should be treated as regulated financial products rather than just digital assets. The SEC also accused the exchange of failing to properly register as a broker-dealer and of commingling customer funds, which raised concerns about financial transparency and user safety.

At the same time, Binance.US encountered issues with its banking partners. The crypto industry as a whole has faced a phenomenon dubbed “Operation Choke Point 2.0” by some observers—a term suggesting that U.S. regulators were pressuring banks to cut ties with crypto firms, making it hard for exchanges to maintain USD fiat services. For Binance.US, this led to the suspension of USD deposits and withdrawals in June 2023, as their banking partners either withdrew support or imposed stringent conditions due to regulatory risks.

Securities Regulation: The SEC argued that many tokens on Binance.US qualified as securities under U.S. law (based on the Howey Test, which defines an investment contract). If true, Binance.US needed to register these offerings and comply with strict disclosure and investor protection rules—something it allegedly hadn’t done.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC): Crypto exchanges are subject to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), enforced by the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Regulators expect robust systems to verify customer identities and monitor transactions for suspicious activity. Any perceived lapses can lead to penalties or operational restrictions.

Banking Relationships: Banks, wary of regulatory backlash, often hesitate to service crypto firms. After high-profile incidents like the FTX collapse in 2022, U.S. regulators signaled heightened oversight, making banks cautious about facilitating fiat on- and off-ramps for crypto exchanges like Binance.US.

State-Level Rules: Beyond federal oversight, Binance.US had to navigate a patchwork of state regulations. For instance, it withdrew from certain states or faced bans (e.g., New York due to the BitLicense requirement) where compliance was too costly or complex.

These pressures forced Binance.US into a crypto-only mode for nearly 19 months, limiting its ability to serve U.S. customers with USD functionality. The company had to lay off staff, scale back operations, and work tirelessly to find new banking partners willing to operate within the regulatory framework. The SEC lawsuit also damaged its reputation and market position, contributing to a reported $1 billion loss in assets under management during this period.

By February 2025, Binance.US managed to alleviate some of these pressures. The broader Binance entity settled with U.S. authorities in late 2023, paying a $4.3 billion fine and agreeing to stricter compliance measures, which likely paved the way for Binance.US to regain trust. Additionally, a shifting regulatory tone—possibly influenced by growing crypto adoption and political changes—encouraged banks to re-engage. Binance.US secured new banking partners and demonstrated compliance with SEC and FinCEN expectations, enabling the resumption of USD services on February 19, 2025.

Regulatory pressures on crypto firms like Binance.US reflect a tension between innovation and oversight. Governments aim to protect markets and consumers, but the crypto industry often argues these rules stifle growth. The reinstatement of USD services suggests Binance.US successfully navigated this landscape, though ongoing vigilance will be required as regulations evolve. Does that clarify the regulatory pressures for you? If you’d like deeper details on any specific aspect—like the SEC lawsuit or AML rules—let me know!

This move is seen as a significant step for Binance.US, reflecting a shift in the U.S. regulatory environment and the company’s commitment to compliance, as highlighted by both Reed and General Counsel Dan Wong. The return of USD services is expected to enhance user convenience and potentially boost the platform’s growth in the American market.

PEPE, DOGE See Price Jumps as Rexas Finance (RXS) Gains Popularity

By
TI Partners
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0

Rexas Finance (RXS) has experienced a surprising surge in interest, causing significant price increases for established meme coin participants Pepe Coin and Dogecoin. Enticed by its promising technology and thriving community, RXS attracts investors, causing a ripple effect throughout the meme coin ecosystem.

Pepe Coin (PEPE) Price Analysis: Shows Price Pump

Currently aligning with the upper border of its declining channel, PEPE is facing a temporary resistance zone around $0.000007 at the 50-day exponential moving average (EMA) and $0.00001 at the 200-day EMA. At $0.000009, a significant support level occurs, where PEPE has recently bounced to indicate some short-term strength. But the 50-day and 200-day EMAs are going down, accentuating the general bearish tendency. PEPE’s price continues below these important benchmarks, suggesting further market volatility. 32.66, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) hangs close to the oversold area. Historically, a rebound usually happens when the RSI falls below 30. The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) is at -0.19, which indicates negative money flow, yet a recent increase points to declining selling pressure.

Dogecoin (DOGE) Shows Bullish Momentum as It Targets $1

Over the past week, Dogecoin has demonstrated significant upward momentum, confirming a positive trend. At $0.25 right now, Dogecoin is recovering strength as the larger crypto market steadies. Should upward momentum continue, DOGE may hit the main resistance level at $0.50, stimulating more investors. Reaching this level will open DOGE’s path to approaching $0.70 by the end of the month. Strong purchasing pressure mixed with market catalysts like Elon Musk’s impact suggests this could drive a longer climb toward $1. However, to keep this positive, DOGE must sustain its recent increases and break over its resistance zones. Otherwise, a retracement could be imminent.

Rexas Finance (RXS): The Emerging Challenger Gaining Popularity Fast

Rexas Finance (RXS) is revolutionizing decentralized finance by tokenizing real-world assets like real estate. By tokenizing actual assets, the platform brings liquidity and openness to usually opaque marketplaces. Given the global real estate sector’s valuation of around $280 trillion, Rexas Finance’s innovative strategy positions it as a significant disruptor. At $0.20, RXS tokens are selling in stage 12, the last presale stage; this is a significant increase from their original stage price of $0.030. Early investors have benefited with a 6.67x return from this outstanding 566.67% rise. With almost $45.2 million earned and over 446.4 million tokens sold, the presale has attracted great attention.The Rexas Finance team has formally stated that the RXS token will launch on major exchanges on June 19, 2025, at a listing price of $0.25, adding to the excitement. This planned launch might greatly increase investor demand, driving RXS prices higher following the listing.

Click Here To Buy Rexas Finance (RXS) Presale

Unlike many new initiatives that depend on venture capital funding, Rexas Finance selected a public presale strategy to guarantee more community involvement. This action has enabled RXS to create a robust investor base, facilitating long-term expansion. The initiative also intends to list RXS on three Tier-1 exchanges, increasing worldwide awareness and liquidity. This degree of readiness and its substantial real-world use distinguish RXS from traditional meme coins like DOGE and PEPE, which depend more on speculation than inherent value.

Consequently, even if DOGE and PEPE might see temporary price spikes, RXS’s long-term growth capacity seems more sustainable. Its ability to bridge the gap between conventional finance and blockchain could make it a main asset in the next bull cycle. To buy RXS, first, ensure a safe transaction by visiting the official Rexas Finance website. Then, connect your crypto wallet to the site to enable presale system interaction. Once linked, purchase RXS tokens with suitable coins such as USDT or Ethereum. After purchasing, safely save your RXS tokens in your wallet and monitor the project’s progress to stay informed about price changes and forthcoming events.

Conclusion

Joining the presale before Rexas Finance’s last stage closes is a calculated action for investors hoping to profit from its growth potential. Early adopters gain right away by purchasing RXS at $0.20 before its June 2025 price of $0.25. The wider crypto market is becoming more volatile as meme coins like PEPE and DOGE witness price swings brought on by RXS’s expanding appeal.  Still, the long run shows that Rexas Finance has a competitive edge over speculative meme coins based on its technology, acceptance, and practical application. Early investors stand to gain from RXS’s expected trajectory as it prepares for its exchange debut, putting it among the most awaited cryptocurrencies of 2025.

 

For more information about Rexas Finance (RXS) visit the links below:

Website: https://rexas.com

Win $1 Million Giveaway: https://bit.ly/Rexas1M

Whitepaper: https://rexas.com/rexas-whitepaper.pdf

Twitter/X: https://x.com/rexasfinance

Telegram: https://t.me/rexasfinance

The Irony on Coinbase Market Cap

By
Ndubuisi Ekekwe
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0

Before the Bitcoin ETF universe was normalized by the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), there were fringe players which were leaders, and which were also asking for the government to clearly regulate them. The thesis was self-evident: if they were doing well before full regulation, post regulation, the skies of opportunities would open up for them.

But you know what? Immediately the SEC approved and clarified things, the big players came in, and now, the world of Bitcoin ETF is now in the hands of Blackrock and big cousins. Those small players have seen significant outflows of funds from their ecosystems as the world of money congregates to the usual stable states.

Warren Buffett cannot understand Nigeria to invest therein, making someone with $10 million to have a great chance. But if Nigeria is fully normalized, he will come with $billions and many opportunities will fade away from those small investors. Say it in another way: you cannot wait for a perfect condition because in business, it is all an illusion. As factors shift, re-alignments take shape.

Remember Coinbase. I wrote that under Trump when all the rules are largely  made free, its default status as the most trusted exchange in the US will begin to see competitive challenges. Why? Before Trump, many were afraid to do certain things in the crypto domain. But now, it is a wild race and exchanges, etc are coming up, and suddenly Coinbase has lost 13% of its market value since Trump 2.0 inauguration.

Lesson: There is no moment in business that can convey an absolute asymmetric positioning without also making you lose a competitive edge in one way. And that means we must take actions instead of waiting for a perfect ecosystem to emerge.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly pledged to end what he describes as Joe Biden’s “war on cryptocurrency” if elected, a stance he emphasized during his 2024 presidential campaign and has continued to highlight following his victory. These narrative frames Biden’s administration as hostile to the crypto industry, citing aggressive regulatory actions, while positioning Trump as a pro-crypto advocate aiming to foster innovation and make the United States a global leader in digital assets.

Comment on Feed

Comment 1: Nice expose but with respect to Coinbase, what you shared is half truth. Coinbase marketcap is down because Bitcoin price is down. Even $MSTR Microstrategy has lost 16% of its marketcap within the last one month. You will see a reversal when Bitcoin price starts going up.

My Response: It is social science, not natural science, no nothing is absolute. You made my point despite saying half-truth.  If you look at the big picture, why is Bitcoin down? And the fact that Bitcoin is down is part of my thesis as many think it will fly through the roof because of the no-regulation era. I am saying nothing like. Why? Before Trump, people were afraid to create memecoins. But when Trump and his wife began the show, people are now flooding everywhere with coins, and that is now a competition for BTC, etc. With $TRUMP, someone would have bought $BTC but with coins everywhere, there are more options.

President Trump to End Biden’s War’s on Crypto Innovations’

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