E-Financial
SiBAN Commends SEC for Granting Approval to Digital Asset Exchange Operators
The Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN) commends the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Nigeria for its recent granting of “Approval-in-Principle” to two digital asset exchanges under the Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Program (ARIP) and the admission of five firms into the Regulatory Incubation (RI) Program.
This progressive move will help Nigeria position itself as a leader in the digital asset space in Africa, providing a clearer and more robust regulatory framework that balances innovation with investor protection.
Designed by the SEC is to facilitate the onboarding of Entities that proposed to carry on virtual asset activities and whose applications have been filed with the Commission, the ARIP allows these platforms to continue operations while adhering to evolving regulatory requirements. By providing a regulatory “sandbox,” the SEC allows innovative digital products to be tested under supervision, ensuring both consumer safety and market integrity.
Toritseju Kaka, Chairman of SiBAN Caretaker Committee, reacting to the development, stated, “This initiative is a testament to the SEC’s forward-thinking approach to regulation. By creating a structured path for compliance, the SEC is not only protecting investors but also fostering a healthy and innovative digital economy.”
SiBAN strongly believes these steps will enhance trust in the digital asset ecosystem, drive foreign and local investments, and stimulate economic growth. As the digital asset market in Nigeria continues to grow, these initiatives provide much-needed clarity and assurance to all market participants, from new entrants to established firms.
We understand, from the SEC’s press release of August 29 2024, that apart from the entities that received Approvals-in-Principle, other applications received by the SEC are undergoing assessment and would be granted Approval-in-Principle on a case-by-case basis as they meet all SEC requirements.
For improved transparency, and consistent with global best practices, the SEC may consider stating the number of applications it received in the current cohort and also indicate when the next cohort will be opened for applications.
Meanwhile, SiBAN calls on all stakeholders in the industry, local and foreign, to embrace these regulatory frameworks and actively engage with the SEC to ensure full compliance and support for this new era of innovation. We encourage firms to leverage these programs to bring forward new ideas that can transform the financial landscape of Nigeria.
Flutterwave, an African payments technology company, said yesterday it has received approval from Ghana’s Central Bank to provide inward remittance services.
This development, according to the business, reinforces Flutterwave’s aim to simplify payments across Africa. In announcing the development, Flutterwave stated that Ghana’s financial sector is fast growing, with high mobile phone penetration and a vibrant mobile money ecosystem.
Remarkably, it continued, 60% of foreign exchange is received through mobile money platforms, demonstrating the critical role they play in the financial lives of Ghanaians.
Beyond mobile money, areas such as insurtech, lend-tech, and buy now, pay later are expanding rapidly, creating a vibrant and diverse fintech environment, according to the business.
Furthermore, Flutterwave stated that the Bank of Ghana’s supportive regulatory framework and the Ghana Digital Agenda have created an attractive market for fintech innovation.
According to Flutterwave, the latest approval is consistent with these trends, guaranteeing that Ghanaians can benefit from rapid, secure, and cost-effective remittance services.
Olugbenga Agboola, founder and CEO of Flutterwave, commented on the milestone: “Remittances play a vital role in the Ghanaian economy, and our goal is to make the process as seamless as possible for Ghanaians in the diaspora looking to send money home.”
Oluwabankole Falade, chief regulatory and government affairs officer at Flutterwave, added: “We are grateful to the Bank of Ghana for their support and look forward to expanding our services in the country.”
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has issued a public alert on 58 companies allegedly running illegal Ponzi schemes in Nigeria, warning citizens against investing in them.
In a statement on Tuesday, Dele Oyewale, spokesperson of the anti-graft agency, said the 58 Ponzi operators falsely pose as investment firms, defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians of their money.
Oyewale noted that none of the companies are registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
“The two regulators, in separate correspondences with the EFCC, denied that they are registered with them,” the statement reads.
“The commission has charged many of the companies to court, with five of them convicted, another five pleaded guilty but awaiting review of facts while the rest are pending arraignment.”
The companies listed include Wales Kingdom Capital, Bethseida Group of Companies, AQM Capital Limited, Titan Multibusiness Investment Limited, Brickwall Global Investment Limited, Farmforte Limited & Agro Partnership Tech, Green Eagles Agricbusiness Solution Limited, Richfield Multiconcepts Limited, Forte Asset Management Limited, (Biss Networks Nigeria Limited, S Mobile Netzone Limited, Pristine Mobile Network), Letsfarm Integrated Services, Bara Finance & Investment Limited, Vicampro Farms Limited, Brooks Network Limited, Gas Station Supply Services Limited, Brass & Books Limited, (Annexation Biz Concept & Maitanbuwal Global Venturescrowdyvest Limited,) and Crowdyvest Limited.
Others are Jadek Agro Connect Limited, Adeeva Capital Limited, Oxford International Group and Oxford Gold Integrated, Skapomah Global Limited, MBA Trading & Capital Investment Limited, TRJ Company Limited, Farm4Me Agriculture Limited, Quintessential Investment Company, Adeprinz Global Enterprises, Rockstar Establishment Limited, SU.Global Investment, Citi Trust Funding PLC, Farm Buddy, Eatrich 369 Farms & Food, Globertrot Farmsponsors Nigeria Limited, Farm Sponsors Limited, Cititrust Credit Limited, Farmfunded Agroservices Limited, Adamakin Investment & Works Limited.
The rest include Cititrust Holding PLC, Green Eagles Agribusiness Solutions Limited, Chinmark Homes & Shelters Limited, Emerald Farms & Consultant Limited, Ovaioza Farm Produce Storage Limited, Farm 360 & Agriculture Company, Requid Technologies Limited, West Agro Agriculture & Food Processing Limited, NISL Ventures Limited & Estate of Laolu Martins, XY Connect Investment Limited, River Branch Unique Investment Limited, Hallmark Capital Limited, CJC Markets Limited, Crowd One Investment, Farmkart Foods Limited, KD Likemind Stakeholders Limited, Holibiz Finance Limited, Ifeanyi Okpe Oil & Gas Services, Servapps Nigeria Limited, Barrick Gold Mining Company and 360 Agric Partners Limited.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring fraudulent investment schemes and protecting Nigerians from financial exploitation.
House of Representatives has passed a resolution calling for the suspension of the increase in Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transaction charges and the stoppage of free ATM withdrawals for customers from other banks in Nigeria.
This followed a motion of urgent public importance by Marcus Onobun.
Onobun, drew the attention of the House to a circular by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to that effect.
Lawmakers were worried that this would impose additional financial burdens on Nigerians.
The House asked the CBN to suspend the policy pending proper engagement with the relevant committees on banking, finance, and financial institutions.
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