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Consortium of Nigerian Banks and Fintechs Cleared to Pilot Stablecoin
7.1.2024
The Nigerian central bank has given its go-ahead for the Africa Stablecoin Consortium (ASC) to pilot its cNGN stablecoin initiative in the financial regulator’s regulatory sandbox. The ASC asserts that the cNGN stablecoin can prove to be vital not only for the country’s payment rails but...
Prohibition of Cash Withdrawals From VASPs Operated Accounts May Contradict Central Bank’s Cashless Policy — Nigerian Lawyer
7.1.2024
Nigerian fintech lawyer Senator Ihenyen said the new central bank guidelines which bar the withdrawal of cash from accounts operated by virtual asset service providers (VASPs) seem “reasonable and understandable.” The lawyer however believes an “outright” prohibition of cash...
Nigerian Crypto Exchange Describes Deposit Suspension as ‘Industry-Standard Precautionary Measure’
19.12.2023
The Nigerian cryptocurrency exchange platform Bitmama recently said it has temporarily suspended deposits due to “ongoing third-party maintenance.” Bitmama said that while earlier media reports about its suspension of deposits are correct, they nevertheless “lack context,”...
Report: 47% of Nigerians Engaged in Crypto-Related Activities
10.12.2023
A new study has found that as much as 47% of Nigerians are actively engaged in crypto trading which is now increasingly incorporated in their financial lives. The analysis also showed that crypto ownership in the country grew by 15% between 2020 and 2023. Cryptocurrencies No Longer Seen...
Nigeria Law Enforcement Nab Politician Who Laundered Funds Stolen From Crypto Exchange
26.11.2023
Nigerian law enforcement recently arrested a politician who is accused of laundering digital funds that were stolen from Patricia Technologies in May. CEO Hanu Fejiro praised the politician’s arrest and said the recovered funds will “go a long way to soothe Patricia users.”...
Nigerian Fintech Startup Vella Finance Drops Crypto-Related Services
31.10.2023
The Nigerian fintech Vella Finance recently informed users and subscribers that it would stop offering crypto related services starting on Oct. 30. According to co-founder Tolu Adedayo, offering crypto and banking services at the same time is not feasible, hence the decision to drop the former....
Nigerian Bank Reportedly Freezes Accounts Belonging to 500 USDT Traders
24.10.2023
A Nigerian bank has reportedly blocked bank accounts belonging to some 500 digital asset traders. The affected accounts are said to have received a portion of the more than $10 million that was stolen from Access Bank by hackers between May and June this year. A prominent Nigerian crypto enthusiast...
Report: Africa-Focused Crypto Trading App Shut Down — Co-Founder Says Only Nigerian Users Affected
22.10.2023
The Africa-focused crypto trading app Vibra has reportedly stopped working in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria. Reports that the app is not working in the three countries contradict the co-founder’s claim that only users from Nigeria are affected. Resign or Get Fired An Africa-focused crypto trading...
Nigerian Court Convicts P2P Crypto Trader Accused of Operating a Pig Butchering Scam
13.10.2023
A Nigerian court recently convicted and fined a peer-to-peer (P2P) crypto trader accused of running a pig butchering scam. According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the crypto trader’s activities were “contrary to and punishable under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition etc.)...
E-naira Not A Threat - Nigeria’s Central Bank Replies to Critics, Highlights Use Cases
11.10.2023
The e-naira continues to generate controversy on its adoption rate, use cases, and more recently, claims by some observers on the threat it poses to the economy.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has publicly backed its digital currency the e-naira which it released to rival the growing popularity...
Nigerian Central Bank Refutes Media Reports Suggesting Its CBDC Poses a Threat to Financial Stability
11.10.2023
The Nigerian central bank has disputed media reports suggesting its Sept. 11, 2023 document implies that its e-naira currency poses a threat to financial stability. The central bank said it felt compelled “to clarify the reports to ensure that misunderstandings are not fostered.” Book...
Report: Hacked Nigerian Crypto Exchange Raises Capital for User Reimbursements
1.10.2023
The recently hacked Nigerian gift card and crypto exchange platform Patricia said on Sept. 29 that it had raised money to refund users. Some users have reportedly grown impatient with the crypto exchange and are weighing their legal options. Unilateral Conversion of Users’ Funds The Nigeria...
Opera Launches Blockchain-Based Wallet Enabling Rapid P2P Stablecoin Transfers for African Users
21.9.2023
The creator of the Opera Mini web browser recently announced the launch of a blockchain-based wallet which makes it possible for African users to rapidly transfer stablecoins. Integration of the stablecoin wallet into the Opera Mini browser is expected to expose users to decentralized apps (dapps)...
Nigeria Is Altering eNaira Model to Promote Use of the Digital Currency: Central Bank
26.7.2023
For many citizens, the central bank digital currency isn't easy to use
Nigeria Picks Bola Tinubu as President Amid Cash Shortages
1.3.2023
Tinubu will replace outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari, under whose government the country issued the eNaira and banned banks from interacting with crypto firms
Chairman of Nigerian Economic Crimes Commission: Crypto Growth Is a ‘Far Greater Danger to the World Economy’
8.9.2021
The chairman of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has singled out the growth of cryptocurrencies as something that now poses “a far greater danger to the world economy.” Therefore, in order to deal with such dangers or threats, Bawa...
Mastercard Payment Index: More Consumers in Three African Countries Plan to Use Crypto Based Payment Methods
12.5.2021
According to a recent Mastercard payment index report, the Covid-19 related lockdowns helped spread the use of cryptocurrency in three African countries, namely Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. The report also reveals that a greater number of consumers from these countries are “likely to...