Nigerian Currency Plunges to New Low of 570 — 10% of Value Lost in Under 30 Days

The Nigerian currency, the naira, plunged to a new all-time low of N570 for every dollar on September 16, 2021. This new exchange rate means since August 17, the naira has now lost about a tenth of its value on the foreign currency black market. Naira Overvalued In spite of this plunge, which has been … Read more

Nigeria’s CBDC ‘a Safer Option’ Than Privately Issued Cryptocurrencies: Central Bank Official

As part of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s digital currency charm offensive, Folashodun Shonubi, the institution’s deputy governor, has claimed that the country’s upcoming central bank digital currency (CBDC) will be a “safer option from privately issued cryptocurrency.” Payment System Stability In addition, the CBN’s digital currency — also known as the e-naira — … Read more

E-Naira Countdown: Nigerian Experts Question Selection of Bitt Inc as Central Bank’s Fintech Partner

Nigerian fintech entrepreneurs have slammed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s decision to select Bitt Inc as its fintech partner. They insist that the choice of Bitt Inc, a Barbados based firm, undermines central bank claims that it is “fighting for the naira in the forex market.” Bitt Inc’s Market Capitalization In fact, as the … Read more

Nigerian Central Bank: We Are Not Worried About the Naira’s Valuation

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s director of monetary policy, Hassan Mahmud, has suggested that the institution is not worried about the naira’s valuation but is instead interested in “boosting dollar supply on the currency market.” Naira Depreciation According to a report, Mahmud’s remarks were made just a day after the local currency touched a … Read more

Report: Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission Sets Up Fintech Division for Crypto Research

Nigeria’s securities regulator, the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has set up a fintech division “to study crypto investments.” This was revealed by Lamido Yuguda, the director-general of the SEC during an interview. Protecting Crypto Investors In the interview, Yuguda explains that the study’s findings will help inform the SEC of the best ways … Read more

Central Bank of Nigeria Selects Barbados-Based Fintech Firm as Technical Partner for CBDC Project

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has named the fintech firm Bitt Inc. as a technical partner for its digital currency project, the e-naira. As a technical partner, Bitt is expected to use its “technological competence and implementation experience” to help the CBN successfully launch the central bank digital currency (CBDC). E-Naira Draft Guidelines The … Read more

Annual US Dollar Remittances to Nigeria Surge to $34 Billion but Forex Woes Persist

According to a report, the value of annual dollar remittances by Nigerians working abroad has surged to $34 billion, a figure that easily surpasses the previous record-high of $25 billion. Still, a large portion of the funds doesn’t seem to be entering domestic forex markets. Target Attained Two Years Ahead of Schedule The increase, which … Read more

Nigerian Central Bank Reveals CBDC Guidelines, Announces Plan to Launch E-Naira Wallet

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reportedly confirmed that its e-naira digital currency will have a legal tender and non-interest-bearing asset status. In addition, a limit on customer transactions and value-based transactions will be imposed. Five-Stage Launch According to a Nairametrics report, the new revelations concerning the e-naira’s design as well as the operational … Read more

Kucoin Boss on Strategy After Hack: ‘We Chose to Act’

Kucoin, one of the leading crypto exchanges, suffered a hacking incident in 2020 where over $250 million was stolen. However, immediately after the hacking was reported, Kucoin began cooperating with various players from the crypto industry. This cooperation ultimately led to the recovery of a large chunk of the stolen funds. Kucoin’s Recovery From Attack … Read more

Report: Nigeria’s Digital Currency to Be Designated ‘Critical National Infrastructure’

According to a report, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is planning to have its proposed digital currency designated “critical national infrastructure” in order to protect it from operational and cyber-security risks. In addition, the CBN will also apply regulatory and compliance mechanisms to prevent what it calls “disruptive competition for electronic money.” Cost Versus … Read more