Economy
MasterCard Track to Make Ease of Doing Business Easier
By Dipo Olowookere
A new innovation has been introduced by leading payment platform, MasterCard, to make ease of doing business easier.
The new initiative called MasterCard Track™ was launched on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 in collaboration with Microsoft.
Track is a unique global trade platform that will simplify and enhance how companies around the world do business with each other.
While parts of the B2B process have been digitized, large and costly gaps still remain, an estimated $500 billion in annual administrative costs and rising. These costs are added to the inefficiency of the nearly half of all global business transactions, $58 trillion, that are still done in paper.
MasterCard Track will address these fundamental challenges by further streamlining and automating the procure-to-pay-process – enabling businesses to manage business identity, compliance and payments in a more efficient way.
“While there have been great improvements and innovations in the way consumers pay, the global B2B space remains highly inefficient and paper-based”, said Michael Froman, vice chairman and president of strategic growth at MasterCard. “This adds hundreds of billions of dollars of costs and burdensome delays to global trade. MasterCard Track is a tool that will help reduce frictions in the global trading system and promote increased exports – especially by small and medium-sized businesses.”
Unlocking growth for businesses of all sizes
While consumers have become accustomed to a broader choice of technology solutions, businesses too are looking for speed, security and convenience in their everyday operations. From reducing the steps it takes to identify a business partner, to making the payments process simpler and more transparent, MasterCard Track has the potential to unlock economic growth and to level the playing field for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME).
“Together with MasterCard, we’re helping companies around the world accelerate the pace of their own transformation by creating a more efficient buying and selling process at scale,” said Peggy Johnson, executive vice president, Microsoft. “By building MasterCard Track on Azure, MasterCard will be able to take advantage of our stringent security and compliance standards, our global footprint and our intelligent cloud solutions to help organizations of all sizes drive value from the back-office to the front of the enterprise.”
MasterCard Track underscores the company’s commitment to address several pain points in the global business environment. The new platform draws on and complements the whole range of MasterCard innovation and B2B assets, from account-to-account and card payment solutions to fraud management, data analytics and payment gateway services.
Addressing identity, compliance and payment management needs
Initially, MasterCard is partnering with nine B2B networks and procure-to-pay solution providers – Basware, BirchStreet, Coupa, the Infor GT Nexus Commerce Network, Ivalua, Jaggaer, Liaison Technologies, Tradeshift and Tungsten Network – representing a wide range of global businesses, to roll out Track’s identity, compliance and payment management capabilities to buyers and suppliers.
Beginning in early 2019, customers of these organizations will be able to maintain, retrieve and exchange key information relating to themselves and their trading partners through the Track Trade Directory, a secure, permissioned repository of over 150 million company registrations worldwide. This central directory will integrate feeds from more than 4,500 compliance lists into one place, making the screening and onboarding of suppliers more efficient.
As the platform expands, suppliers will have better visibility into cash flow – when they can expect to get paid and for how much – across multiple networks. Track will help connect all types of payments – account-based, card-based or bank transfer – within the platform, while also connecting purchase order and invoice information. This will streamline and simplify back-office reconciliation, one of the largest burdens facing businesses today.
Through its partners, Track will enable B2B networks, banks, insurance companies and technology providers to extend value-added services to business customers, such as enhanced data analytics and trade finance.
Integrated with Singapore’s National Trade Platform
In Singapore, MasterCard Track has already been integrated with the National Trade Platform, a one-stop digital trade ecosystem which brings together key logistics functions, such as movement of goods as well as regulatory and financial elements for players across the trade value chain. MasterCard Track facilitates secure and efficient electronic payments between buyers and suppliers, helping to strengthen the country’s position as the leading trading hub for the region.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange further appreciated by 0.67 per cent on Monday, February 16.
During the session, the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) reached another milestone after it chalked up 26.65 points to 4,001.42 points from the preceding session’s 3,974.77 points.
Equally, the market capitalisation added N15.94 billion to end the trading day at N2.394 trillion, in contrast to last Friday’s N2.378 trillion.
Yesterday, the volume of securities rose by 389.6 per cent to 46.2 million units from 9.4 million units, but the value of securities went down by 24.3 per cent to N703.6 million from N703.6 million, and the number of deals dipped 2.2 per cent to 44 deals from the preceding session’s 45 deals.
Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc was the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 31.4 million units exchanged for N1.8 billion, followed by Resourcery Plc with 1.05 billion units traded for N408.6 million, and Geo-Fluids Plc with 71.2 million units valued at N296.9 million.
Resourcery Plc finished the trading session as the most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 1.05 billion units worth N408.6 million, trailed by Geo-Fluids Plc with 71.2 million units sold for N296.9 million, and CSCS Plc with 31.4 million units sold for N1.8 billion.
During the trading session, there were four price gainers and one price loser, led by CSCS Plc, which went down by 38 Kobo to N80.09 per share versus last Friday’s closing value of N80.47 per share.
However, MRS Oil Plc increased its price by N17.00 to N187.00 per unit from N170.00 per unit, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc gained N5.83 to trade at N71.35 per share compared with the previous session’s N65.52 per unit, Geo-Fluids Plc appreciated by 20 Kobo to N3.50 per share from N3.30 per share, and First Mortgage Bank Plc grew by 7 Kobo to 82 Kobo per unit from N75 Kobo per unit.
As digital asset markets mature, professional traders and institutions increasingly look beyond public order books for more efficient execution. Many begin by exploring crypto otc services, which are designed to facilitate large-volume transactions without the market impact often seen on traditional platforms. To understand why this model has gained traction, it helps to look at how it works and what sets it apart from standard trading methods.
At its core, OTC trading refers to the direct exchange of assets between two parties outside of a public marketplace. Instead of placing orders on an open platform where prices are visible to everyone, participants negotiate terms privately, often with the assistance of a broker or institutional desk. This approach has become especially popular among high-net-worth individuals, funds, and companies managing significant digital asset positions.
How OTC Trading Differs From Traditional Markets
Most retail traders interact with the crypto market through a centralized exchange, where buy and sell orders are matched automatically via an order book. While this model works well for smaller trades, it can be inefficient for large transactions. Substantial orders placed on a public exchange may move the market price, resulting in slippage and unfavorable execution.
OTC trading avoids this issue by removing large transactions from public view. Prices are agreed upon in advance, allowing both sides to execute at known terms without affecting broader market conditions. This makes OTC desks particularly useful during periods of volatility or when handling block trades.
Who Uses OTC Crypto Trading?
OTC services are commonly used by institutional investors, miners, family offices, and corporate treasuries. These participants often deal with volumes that exceed typical market depth on public platforms. By working through an OTC desk, they can buy or sell large amounts of cryptocurrency efficiently and discreetly.
Another key advantage is access to tailored execution. Rather than relying on automated matching, OTC trades are often supported by human traders who help structure deals, source counterparties, and manage settlement. This personalized approach adds a layer of confidence for participants handling high-value transactions.
The Role of Liquidity and Execution
A critical element of successful OTC trading is access to deep liquidity. OTC desks aggregate demand from multiple sources, enabling them to match large orders without delay. This ensures that even substantial trades can be executed smoothly, often at more competitive prices than those available on public markets during the same period.
Because OTC trades are negotiated directly, participants also gain more control over timing and settlement. This flexibility is particularly valuable for organizations that need to coordinate trades with internal treasury operations or external obligations.
Privacy and Risk Management
One of the defining benefits of OTC crypto trading is privacy. Since transactions are not visible on public order books, they do not signal intent to the wider market. This reduces the risk of front-running, speculative reactions, or unwanted attention—concerns that are especially relevant for large or strategic trades.
OTC desks also help manage counterparty risk by acting as intermediaries or facilitators. Reputable providers conduct due diligence, ensure secure settlement processes, and often operate within established compliance frameworks. This adds an additional layer of protection compared to informal peer-to-peer transactions.
How WhiteBIT Supports OTC Trading
WhiteBIT offers an institutional OTC service designed to meet the needs of professional market participants. Its OTC desk provides personalized execution, competitive pricing, and structured settlement processes, allowing clients to execute large trades efficiently and securely. By combining market expertise with robust infrastructure, WhiteBIT helps clients navigate complex transactions without disrupting broader market conditions.
OTC crypto trading has become an essential tool for participants who prioritize efficiency, discretion, and control. By operating outside public order books, it enables large-scale transactions to be executed smoothly while minimizing market impact. As digital asset markets continue to evolve, OTC services will remain a vital component of the institutional trading landscape, offering a practical alternative to traditional exchange-based execution.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira improved its value against the US Dollar by N7.64 or 0.56 per cent in the the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) on Monday, February 16 to N1,347.78/$1, in contrast to the preceding session’s N1,355.42/$1.
In the same vein, the local currency appreciated against the Pound Sterling in the official market yesterday by N5.41 to sell for N1,839.18/£1 versus last Friday’s closing price of N1,844.59/£1, and gained N9.78 on the Euro to close at N1,598.06/€1 compared with the N1,607.93/€1 it was traded in the previous trading day.
However, at the GTBank forex counter, the Naira lost N2 against the greenback to quote at N1,367/$1 versus the preceding session’s closing value of N1,365/$1, and at the parallel market, it remained unchanged at N1,420/$1.
The currency’s gain was supported by improved FX supply levels after last week’s elevated demand pressures. Licensed Bureaux De Change (BDC) operators fully entered into the official segment taking away some of the delayed demand.
Their presence is expected to boost liquidity and flow while other supply sources including exporters , non-bank corporate, and other market participants pause stoked pressures on the exchange rate.
Latest update revealed that Nigeria’s gross external reserves stayed stronger, adding $135.76 million day-on-day, bringing the total reserves to $47.81 billion.
Further support also came as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Nigeria’s headline inflation rate decelerated to 15.10 per cent in January, down from the 15.15 per cent recorded in December 2025. The January 2026 print showed a decrease of 0.05 per cent compared to the December 2025 Headline inflation rate while on an annualised basis, it was 12.51 per cent lower than the rate recorded in January 2025 (27.61 per cent).
This development strengthens the case for a rate cut when the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meets next week.
In the cryptocurrency market, the tokens tracked ended in green as traders remained cautious despite US interest rate data raising odds of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in June after a report that showed inflation rose less than expected in January.
The backdrop of the weak US consumer price index data released last week that kept hopes of the US central bank rate cuts alive.
The CPI growth slowed to 2.4 per cent year-on-year in January from 2.7 per cent in December, the official data showed, reinforcing expectations for at least two 25 basis point rate cuts.
Cardano (ADA) added 2.8 per cent to trade at $0.2861, Litecoin (LTC) improved by 2.2 per cent to $55.09, Solana (SOL) appreciated by 1.9 per cent to $86.42, Binance Coin (BNB) jumped 1.8 per cent to $623.25, Ripple (XRP) grew by 1.5 per cent to $1.47, and Ethereum (ETH) soared by 0.9 per cent to $1,977.54.
On the flip side, Dogecoin (DOGE) depleted by 1.9 per cent to $0.0999, and Bitcoin went down by 0.2 per cent to $68,300.03, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) closed flat at $1.00 each.
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