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Report: Four Nigerian Lenders Penalized for Failing to Block Crypto Transactions
7.4.2022
The Nigerian central bank recently fined four financial institutions it accuses of failing to stop clients from using their respective platforms to conduct cryptocurrency transactions. According to one of the affected institutions, the central bank is using a certain “advanced...
Report: Africa Fintech Startups Raised $2 Billion in 2021
15.3.2022
Africa’s fintech startups are reported to have raised $2 billion in the past year alone. This amount dwarfs the $231 million that was raised in the year 2020. Nigerian startups continue to account for the biggest share of funds raised by the continent’s fintechs in 2021. 2021...
Flutterwave Raises $250 Million in Series D Funding Round, Startup Now Valued at Over $3 Billion
19.2.2022
Fintech startup Flutterwave announced recently that it has raised $250 million from its Series D funding round. The funding round, which attracted international investors, saw the startup’s value rise to over $3 billion. Capital Raised to Fund Flutterwave’s Expansion Plans...
Nigerian Blockchain Advocacy Group Says ‘Crypto Is Legit’ — Calls for Regulation of Industry
7.2.2022
The Nigerian blockchain advocacy group, the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SIBAN), has said crypto is legit and must be regulated. The group adds that any such regulation should on one hand encourage innovation, but discourage bad actors on the other. Equal Access...
African Web3 Startup Raises $6.45 Million in Pre-Seed Round, Serena Williams’ Investment Firm Participates
5.2.2022
An African startup, Nestcoin, said it raised $6.45 million in a pre-seed funding round in which tennis’ star, Serena Williams’ Serena Ventures took part. The startup, which was launched in November 2021, plans to use the capital raised to educate, build and invest in web...
Nigerian Crypto Firm Executive: Central Bank Prohibition Led to Growth in Crypto Awareness
31.1.2022
The chief marketing officer (CMO) of a cryptocurrency payments solution company, Rotimi Ogunwede, has insisted that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s decision to bar crypto entities from the banking system may be the reason why Nigerians are now more knowledgeable about cryptocurrencies....
Crypto Exchange Binance Restricts 281 Nigerian Accounts — Some Requested by International Law Enforcement
31.1.2022
Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has restricted 281 Nigerian user accounts. Citing user security and fraud prevention, CEO Changpeng Zhao explained that “approximately 38% of these cases [are] restricted at the request of international law enforcement.” 281 Nigerian Accounts Restricted...
Nigerian Users Tell Binance ‘Stop Scamming’ — Exchange Platform Rejects Accusation
29.1.2022
Some disgruntled Nigerian users of the cryptocurrency exchange Binance have launched a campaign to boycott the platform, which they accuse of freezing client accounts without valid reason. Accounts Blocked Cryptocurrency exchange platform Binance recently became the target of a boycott campaign...
Nigerian Lawmakers Urged to Consider Regulating Crypto Industry After Proposal to Jail Ponzi Operators
27.1.2022
The leader of the Nigerian blockchain association, Senator Ihenyen, has implored the country’s lawmakers — currently pushing for the securities law to be revamped — to consider crafting laws that regulate the crypto industry. Proposed Law Does Not Expressly Mention...
Nigerian Government Minister Calls for Regulation of Crypto, Considers Additional Body ‘to Play That Role’
14.12.2021
A minister in the Nigerian government has called on authorities in the country to consider regulating cryptocurrencies instead of clamping down on them. The Law Does Not Stipulate Who Regulates Cryptos In what appears to be a rebuke of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over its stance...
Nigerian Experts: CBDC Still Unattractive to Users Despite Claim of ‘Excellent’ Adoption Rate
13.12.2021
Nigerian blockchain and cryptocurrency experts have suggested that many prospective users will only consider adopting the e-naira once the central bank has done enough to make the CBDC (central bank digital currency) an attractive option to use. E-Naira Still Unattractive to Users Some Nigerian...
Binance Names Three Nigerian Reality TV Show Celebrities as African Ambassadors
4.12.2021
Binance has named three former housemates from the popular Nigerian reality television show “Big Brother Naija” as the cryptocurrency exchange’s brand ambassadors for the African continent. Bringing Crypto to the Mainstream Leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance has said...
Report: Nigerian Fintechs Account for Nearly 91% of $417.5 Million Raised by Tech Startups in the Country
30.11.2021
According to an analysis of the $417.5 million that was raised by Nigerian tech startups during the first nine months of 2021, fintech firms accounted for about $379 million or 90.78% of the total. Nigerian Fintechs Dominate the African Continent Nigerian fintechs currently account for more than...
Nigerian Central Bank Wants Financial Institutions to Develop Products Based on Its CBDC
29.11.2021
The Central Bank of Nigeria has said it wants players in the country’s payment industry to develop and help introduce products based on its central bank digital currency, the e-naira. Central Bank Open to Suggestions In its bid to deepen the adoption of the e-naira, the Central Bank...
Nigerian Artist Davido Launches Fan Token That Gives ‘Power Back to the Fans’
27.11.2021
Nigerian artist Davido has launched a fan token, the Echoke Social Token, that he says gives “power” to his millions of fans. Eliminating the Middlemen A Nigerian pop artist and celebrity, Davido, recently announced the launch of his fan token, the Echoke Social Token, via...
Nigerian Crypto Exchange Raises Over $4 Million in Latest Funding Round
26.11.2021
A Nigerian crypto exchange, Busha, recently raised over $4 million in a funding round led by Jump Capital. Busha, a Nigerian cryptocurrency exchange, is reported to have raised a $4.2 million seed funding round recently. These funds, according to the exchange, will be used to expand its operations...
Nigerian Crypto and Blockchain Advocacy Group: Freezing or Closure of Bank Accounts Not Supported by Law
23.11.2021
The Blockchain Industry Coordinating Committee of Nigeria (BICCON), has said it is not lawful for Nigerian financial institutions to arbitrarily freeze or close bank accounts belonging to individuals or entities accused of trading cryptocurrency. Affected Crypto Entities Told to Seek Legal Advice...
Central Bank’s Targeting of P2P Crypto Transactions Forces Startup to Quit Nigeria
23.11.2021
The Nigerian startup behind the social payment app for cryptocurrency and fiat, Kurepay, says the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s current crackdown on crypto entities has forced it to suspend operations in Nigeria. ‘Horrible’ Year for Crypto Adoption According to a report...
Nigerian Remittances Rebound as Country Tops Sub Sahara Africa — Sending Costs Still High
21.11.2021
Nigeria is once again Sub Sahara Africa’s biggest recipient of remittances into the region where the money transfers went up by 6.2 percent to $45 billion, a new World Bank report has shown. The Impact of Nigerian Policies on Remittances According to the November 17, 2021 press release, this...
IMF Says Nigerian CBDC Drawing Global Interest, Warns of Associated Risks
18.11.2021
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has acknowledged that the recently launched Nigerian central bank digital currency (CBDC) is attracting interest from many institutions globally, including central banks. Still, the fund warns that the CBDC carries risks for monetary policy implementation...