Nigerian fintechs crack down on crypto, users face account blocks
Some Nigerian fintech platforms have warned users against using their accounts to make crypto transactions or face heavy sanctions amid the country’s ongoing efforts to regulate cryptocurrency.
Nigerian fintech firms Moniepoint, PalmPay and Paga have notified customers that their accounts will be blocked if they facilitate crypto transactions with them. This comes after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ordered some new banks, including Moniepoint, to stop onboarding new customers.
In the notification issued to customers on May 2, 2024, Moniepoint said:
“In line with CBN regulation, we will close the account of anyone engaging in crypto or other virtual assets transactions and share their details with relevant authorities.”
This notification marks a reversal of the CBN’s previous announcement to lift its crypto ban imposed in 2021. In the CBN circular issued in December 2023, the central bank directed financial institutions to facilitate account opening, provide designated settlement services, and act as intermediaries for firms engaging in crypto asset transactions.
The December circular also stated that it supersedes the ones from 2017 and 2021, which restricted banks and other financial institutions from operating accounts for cryptocurrency service providers.
One X user, who is also a PalmPay customer, said his account was frozen and would only be unfrozen if he agreed to sign an agreement mandating that he abstain from crypto transactions.
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Paga also emailed customers, stating that the CBN licenses it and is committed to complying with all regulations:
“Pursuant to the CBN circular with reference FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/06/10, we wish to remind you that dealing in or facilitating transactions in cryptocurrency and other virtual currencies is not permitted.”
The circular referenced by Paga is from 2017, and it warns banks and other financial institutions about their relations with crypto exchanges and customers who transact in cryptocurrency.
The CBN had earlier denied a report saying it issued a directive requiring all banks and financial institutions to identify individuals or entities engaging in transactions with cryptocurrency exchanges and to ensure that such accounts are put on “Post No Debit” instruction — a directive issued by a bank or financial institution to restrict certain transactions on a customer’s account — for six months.
The circular also stated that regulated financial institutions engaged in crypto or facilitating payments for crypto exchanges are prohibited.
Cointelegraph reached out to Moniepoint for comments on the development but did not receive a response by publication.
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