The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria has stepped up efforts to regulate the country’s fast-growing cryptocurrency market, partnering with blockchain intelligence firm Chainalysis in a webinar aimed at combating fraud and strengthening investor protection.
Nigeria ranks second globally in cryptocurrency adoption, with more than one-third of its 220 million citizens mostly under 30 engaged in digital assets. SEC Director General Dr. Emomotimi Agama described crypto growth as both “an enormous opportunity and a major risk,” warning that scams continue to erode public trust.
???????? We recently hosted @SECNigeria for a compelling discussion on building a trusted crypto ecosystem.
✍???? Check out our recap, and discover how Africa’s largest crypto market is leveraging blockchain intelligence to enhance market integrity and drive greater regulatory clarity:… pic.twitter.com/XYfHCNdDqO
— Chainalysis (@chainalysis) August 21, 2025
According to the regulator, Nigerians have lost over 1 trillion naira to Ponzi schemes in the past 25 years, including 1.3 trillion naira in the Cybeg scandal earlier this year. Currently, 79 suspected schemes are under investigation.
In response, Nigeria introduced the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) 2025, its first major regulatory update in nearly two decades. The law formally defines crypto assets as securities, mandates licensing for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), sets custody standards, and imposes penalties on fraud operators.
Chainalysis highlighted how its blockchain analytics tools are being deployed to trace illicit funds. The firm revealed that $300 million in USDT was siphoned from Nigerians through the CBEC scam, with funds laundered across chains and off-ramped via multiple exchanges. Globally, Chainalysis has helped seize more than $11 billion in criminal assets.
The SEC emphasized a multi-agency approach, working alongside the Central Bank of Nigeria, EFCC, NFIU, police, and national security agencies to tighten oversight.
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Commissioner Bola Ajomale stressed that regulation is designed to build confidence, not curb innovation.
“We are regulating to help investors trust the system,”
he said.
The collaboration signals Nigeria’s intent to balance rapid adoption with tighter safeguards, positioning the country as a testing ground for crypto regulation in emerging markets.
Notably, Agama recently confirmed Nigeria is open to stablecoin businesses, provided operators comply with the country’s emerging regulatory framework.
Nigeria has tightened crypto rules since then
The regulatory environment has changed significantly since the original announcement. Nigeria’s Investment and Securities Act 2025 formally brought crypto assets into the securities regulatory framework and strengthened the SEC’s authority over virtual-asset service providers. The framework also introduced requirements around licensing, custody, asset segregation and disclosures.
That gives the SEC more tools to distinguish registered operators from fraudulent platforms.
The regulator has also moved aggressively against unregistered investment schemes. In January 2026, the SEC warned that Aurum Bot, a platform presenting itself as a cryptocurrency investment business, was not registered or licensed and showed characteristics associated with a Ponzi scheme.
In May, the SEC issued another warning about unregistered online investment schemes promoted through WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, Facebook and TikTok. It said many displayed characteristics of Ponzi or prohibited investment schemes and reminded Nigerians to verify operators through its registration portal before investing.
2026 is bringing more crypto firms into the regulatory net
The SEC is not simply trying to remove crypto activity from the market. It is increasingly trying to bring legitimate operators inside a formal regulatory framework.
In July 2026, the regulator admitted seven additional companies into its Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme (ARIP). The list included Luno Fintech Nigeria, Bitbarter Technologies, Koinkoin Global Network, Wrapped CBDC, Trovotech and Blockvault Custodian.
In August, the SEC added three more virtual-asset service providers: Pisi Payments Solution, BC Access Nigeria and Yellow Card Financial. The regulator said the programme allows it to assess digital-asset business models under controlled conditions before granting full approval.
This creates a more defined divide between regulated crypto businesses and operators attempting to solicit Nigerian investors without approval.
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