Nigeria must fully regulate crypto activities if it wants to curb financial crimes associated with digital assets, a forensic expert has said. The co-founder of A&D Forensics also called on Nigeria to enact laws that would mandate banks to vet service providers before granting them account access. Curbing Crypto-Related Financial Crimes According to a blockchain…
Read more
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 for the CBN’s digital currency as well. ASC’s Stablecoin…
Read more
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 withdrawals from VASPs operated accounts may “be in conflict with the CBN’s own cashless policy.” ‘Fraudulent…
Read more
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,” and may have confused users. Securing User Funds The Nigerian cryptocurrency exchange platform, Bitmama, recently announced that it has…
Read more
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 as Speculative Assets According to an analysis…
Read more
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.” The Politician’s Involvement in a Complex Crime The Nigerian police have arrested…
Read more
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. Business Decision The Nigerian fintech startup, Vella Finance, has…
Read more
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 and educator has described the…
Read more
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 app, Vibra, has reportedly been stopped in Ghana, Kenya and…
Read more
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.) Act, 2015.” Offense ‘Bordering on Cybercrimes’ A Nigerian court recently convicted a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency…
Read more
