Cryptocurrency

Nigeria’s Crypto Ban Fuels Mistrust in Government

Published

3 years ago

February 23, 2021

Nigeria’s Crypto Ban Fuels Mistrust in Government

A central bank ban on crypto transactions is at odds with the government’s goal to build a digital economy around blockchain technology.

Nigeria is committed to building its digital economy, but the central bank’s recent cryptocurrency prohibition counteracts this goal and fuels mistrust of the government.

“Governments and businesses all over the world are realizing the powerful potential usability of blockchain… Nigeria, however, is lagging due to the government institutions’ sore-footedness and refractory approach to this undeniably ingenious innovation.”

So states the draft National Blockchain Adoption Strategy released by Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in October 2020. The strategy makes the case for Nigeria’s adoption of blockchain technology, including digital currencies, to build a digital economy.

Yet, on February 5, many Nigerians were surprised and angered when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced a ban on the exchange of cryptocurrency by financial institutions and directed banks to close accounts trading in crypto.

Although CBN said its policy is a reiteration of a 2017 circular warning financial institutions about virtual currencies’ risks, this announcement is at odds with its efforts toward digital transformation. Following the announcement, the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) paused its regulatory review of crypto pending CBN clarification. Meanwhile, the Senate has invited the heads of CBN and the SEC to brief them on this decision.

As oil prices tumbled in 2020, taking Nigeria’s forex reserves and the value of the Naira with them, Nigeria entered a recession, and inflation stood at nearly 16% as of December. CBN has pursued several avenues for increasing forex liquidity in Nigeria, including requiring International Money Transfer Operators to distribute remittances in USD instead of Naira, cracking down on exporters who do not repatriate revenue, and restricting the use of forex for some imports.

Restrictions on foreign spending have led some banks to limit monthly foreign transactions to as low as $100 a month. Direct remittances to Nigeria also dropped over 97% between January to September 2020, increasing the squeeze on forex.

CBN devalued the Naira twice last year, and the high cost of moving money into Nigeria has led Nigerians to seek alternatives through cryptocurrency. Nigeria is the world’s second-largest peer-to-peer (P2P) bitcoin market and the largest in Africa. Crypto trading, which totaled $566 million from 2015-2020, has increased yearly since 2015, with a jump of 30% in 2020.

“The high cost moving money into Nigeria has led Nigerians to Seek alternatives through cryptocurrency.”

Driving the crypto market’s growth is users tapping into crypto as a payment, investment, and trading tool amid increasing difficulties in accessing forex and the desire to hedge the value of funds. While the COVID-19 pandemic likely plays a significant role in the remittance decline, members of the diaspora are increasingly turning to cryptocurrency to send money and avoid stiff fees and the high CBN exchange rate that reduces the value of the exchange by up to 20-30%.

The crypto exchange platform, Yellow Card, reported growth of 1,840% in remittances processed on its platform in 2020, with Nigeria making up more than 50% of its users. This increase in cryptocurrency usage tracks with the overall growth of Nigeria’s Fintech sector.

Nigeria’s digital transformation

In Nigeria, the government has made concerted efforts toward streamlining and developing policy frameworks and national strategies to advance its digital transformation. President Buhari redesignated the Ministry of Communications as the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy (FMoCDE) in 2019 and moved the National Identity Management Commission to this ministry.

Last year, FMoCDE released the eight pillar Digital Economy Policy and Strategy 2020-2030 and subsequently launched a Digital Nigeria skills development platform. In support of the digital strategy, the NITDA released the draft National Adoption Blockchain Strategy, and in September 2020, the SEC released its position confirming cryptocurrency as a security. As recently as January 2021, the CBN announced its regulatory fintech sandbox framework.

Crypto ban

In light of Nigeria’s efforts to advance its digital economy agenda, the crypto decision seems counterproductive and reactive. While the crypto ban has led to an initial chill, with banks closing accounts and some owners withdrawing their funds, it is unlikely to impact crypto’s growth.

Instead, users may move to P2P trading platforms that facilitate trading without an intermediary and allow non-fiat payment methods. Already, there has been an almost 16% jump in Bitcoin usage for P2P lending since the announcement, and Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange platform, recently introduced a new P2P option for Nigerians. Many Nigerians have attributed the decision to the CBN’s urgent need to inject and retain forex in the economy by any means. But if the goal was to increase forex or promote transparency, pushing users to P2P platforms undermines these aims.

Trust in government institutions has also taken a hit. Some view this as bureaucratic stifling of innovation or a desire to increase control and cut off a means of livelihood for many young Nigerians facing a projected unemployment rate of over 30% in 2021. The frustration expressed by Nigerians taps into a broader dissatisfaction with a government perceived as corrupt and non-responsive. The lack of public or industry consultation or policy coordination has reinforced this viewpoint, and Nigerians on Twitter launched a #WeWantOurCryptoBack campaign.

Others noted that political influence could be driving the decision after some #EndSARS protestors turned to cryptocurrency to raise funds when the government froze their bank accounts. CBN explained the decision by the need to protect consumers and counter the use of cryptocurrencies for criminal activities while emphasizing that the decision does not detract from the bank’s commitment to developing the fintech sector.

Enhanced policy coordination and consultation with the industry and users will be critical for the government to build trust, instill investor confidence, gain public buy-in, and push forward digital transformation.

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Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Cryptocurrency

SEC Director General Lauds KuCoin’s Action, Urges Compliance with National Guidelines

Published

3 days ago

May 17, 2024

Samed Olukoya

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Director General, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has commended KuCoin, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange platform, for its proactive measures to delist the Nigerian naira (NGN) from its trading options.

This move aligns with recent directives aimed at safeguarding the nation’s economic interests and combating illicit financial activities.

In an official statement released by the SEC on Thursday, Dr. Agama expressed satisfaction with KuCoin’s decision to suspend peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions involving the Nigerian currency.

This decision comes as part of KuCoin’s ongoing efforts to adjust its platform to comply with regulatory directives issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser and the SEC.

The SEC’s stance underscores a broader initiative by Nigerian authorities to address concerns related to foreign exchange manipulation and safeguard the integrity of the nation’s financial system.

Dr. Agama emphasized the importance of adherence to established guidelines, emphasizing that regulatory compliance is essential for maintaining national security and economic stability.

The delisting of the naira by KuCoin follows similar actions taken by other cryptocurrency exchanges, including Binance, in response to regulatory scrutiny from Nigerian authorities. These measures signal a concerted effort within the crypto industry to cooperate with regulatory agencies and promote responsible trading practices.

Peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading platforms have come under increased scrutiny due to their potential for facilitating illicit financial activities, including money laundering and fraud. By delisting the naira and suspending related trading activities, KuCoin demonstrates its commitment to upholding regulatory standards and fostering a secure trading environment for users.

Dr. Agama reiterated the SEC’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to address challenges within the cryptocurrency space and combat financial crimes effectively.

He emphasized the importance of regulatory cooperation in tackling illicit trading practices and maintaining investor confidence in the market.

Furthermore, Dr. Agama highlighted the SEC’s ongoing efforts to implement the Revised Capital Market Master Plan, aimed at enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of Nigeria’s capital market.

He highlighted the potential of the capital market to drive economic growth and attract foreign investment, emphasizing the need for regulatory measures to protect investors and promote market integrity.

In response to Dr. Agama’s comments, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to combatting financial crimes and emphasized the importance of regulatory collaboration in addressing emerging challenges.

He commended the SEC’s efforts to enforce regulatory compliance within the cryptocurrency sector and pledged the EFCC’s support in safeguarding Nigeria’s financial interests.

Cryptocurrency

KuCoin Announces Temporary Pause on NGN Services to Prioritize Compliance

Published

5 days ago

May 15, 2024

Samed Olukoya

KuCoin, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges globally, has announced a temporary pause on its P2P Nigerian Naira (NGN) services and Fast Buy service via Naira cards.

This move, set to commence from 2024-05-15 08:00 (UTC), aims to prioritize compliance measures within the platform.

In a message addressed to its valued users, KuCoin expressed its dedication to providing a robust and secure trading environment.

The temporary suspension of NGN services is part of the exchange’s commitment to accelerating the compliance process.

During this period, ongoing orders will be completed normally, and all other services on the platform will remain available.

KuCoin assured its users that their assets are safe and secure on the exchange. While acknowledging that adjustments might be required in trading preferences, KuCoin explained that this decision is a step toward enhancing the overall trading experience for its users.

The exchange reiterated its focus on compliance and creating a secure environment for all users. KuCoin aims to resolve the compliance-related matters swiftly and efficiently to ensure a seamless transition back to full functionality of NGN services.

The decision to temporarily suspend NGN services underscores KuCoin’s proactive approach to regulatory compliance, reflecting its commitment to maintaining transparency and trust within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.

KuCoin expressed gratitude for the understanding and cooperation of its users during this period of change.

Cryptocurrency

Crypto Exchange Giant Coinbase Grinds to a Halt in System Meltdown

Published

7 days ago

May 14, 2024

Samed Olukoya

One of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, Coinbase, has been plunged into chaos as it experienced a catastrophic system-wide outage, leaving traders and investors stranded and unable to access their accounts.

The disruption, which commenced at 4:15 am UTC on May 14, has rendered both the desktop and mobile platforms of Coinbase completely unusable.

Users attempting to access the exchange are greeted with a frustrating “503 Service Temporarily Unavailable” error message, indicative of the severity of the situation.

Coinbase, known for its reliability and user-friendly interface, has been a cornerstone of the cryptocurrency market for years.

However, this unprecedented outage has shaken the confidence of countless traders who rely on the platform for their daily transactions and investments.

Coinbase swiftly notified its user base of the issue through its official status page, acknowledging the severity of the problem and assuring customers that their funds remain secure.

The exchange’s support team took to social media to disseminate updates, pledging to investigate the issue and work tirelessly to find a resolution.

This isn’t the first time Coinbase has faced technical difficulties during periods of heightened market activity.

Just months prior, on February 28, the exchange experienced temporary outages alongside several other platforms amidst a frenzy of trading activity during a Bitcoin flash crash. Such incidents highlight the strain that surges in traffic can place on even the most robust of systems.

While outages like these are undeniably frustrating for users, they often spark speculation within the crypto community.

Some enthusiasts view these disruptions as a bullish sign, interpreting the influx of traffic and subsequent downtime as indicators of growing interest and adoption in the cryptocurrency space.