Nigeria may allow asset-backed tokens but not crypto: Bloomberg

Quick Take

  • Nigeria’s SEC is mulling authorizing exchanges that deal in asset-backed tokens, according to a report. 
  • But no regime will be established for firms involved in crypto trading, which is restricted by the country’s central bank.

Regulators in Nigeria are considering licensing digital exchanges that deal in tokens backed by assets such as equity, debt and property — but has no plans to permit crypto trading, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Abdulkadir Abbas, head of securities and investment services at The Securities and Exchange Commission in Nigeria, told Bloomberg of the plan, adding, “We always like to start, as a regulator, with a very simple clear proposal before we go into the complex ones.”

The SEC in Nigeria has already begun processing applications for digital exchanges, according to the report. Nigeria’s central bank has for some time restricted crypto trading in the country. In February 2021, it urged banks to close accounts tied to crypto activities.

Nigeria's crypto restrictions

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Nigeria’s SEC will work to register fintech firms as digital sub-brokers, crowdfunding intermediaries, robo-advisors, fund managers and tokenized coin issuers, according to today’s report. Such firms will spend a year in “regulatory incubation,” during which time they’ll be closely monitored by the SEC.

But no regime will be established for handing out licenses to crypto exchanges until standards can be agreed with the central bank.


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About Author

Ryan Weeks is deals editor at the The Block, focused on fundraising, M&A and institutional trends in the crypto space, among other things. He is particularly interested in investigative work — so please send tips! Ryan previously worked at Financial News, Dow Jones as a fintech correspondent in London. Prior to that, he wrote for several different publications, including Sifted, AltFi and Wired. Beyond journalism, Ryan is a keen reader and writer. He enjoys all things active, especially running, rugby, climbing and tennis.

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