Adedeji Owonibi, the Co-founder of A&D Forensics, a blockchain intelligence service provider, has emphasized the necessity of regulating cryptocurrency activities in Nigeria to address financial crimes, particularly money laundering. During a training for cryptocurrency compliance specialists held by a Blockchain and Digital Forensic firm on February 9, Owonibi highlighted that the absence of regulations in Nigeria’s crypto space leads to various unmonitored practices.
In a recent update, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has lifted the ban on crypto transactions, allowing banks to operate accounts for Virtual Assets Service Providers (VASP). Despite this, Owonibi has stressed the importance of ensuring that banks adhere to relevant laws in their interactions with VASPs to prevent criminal activities.
Compliance laws play a crucial role in preventing financial institutions from being used as gateways for money laundering and other criminal activities. Therefore, it is essential for Nigerian financial institutions to engage the services of compliance specialists to ensure that all transactions are in line with the law.
In response to these developments, the Nigerian government has been training law enforcement agents as compliance specialists. However, there is a need for further training to equip all security officials with the necessary expertise to effectively combat financial crimes.
Meanwhile, the CBN has issued guidelines permitting virtual asset service providers, including cryptocurrency and crypto asset organizations, to open accounts with banks in Nigeria. However, local crypto analysts have advised the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to review the guidelines for virtual asset services providers to enable local crypto exchanges to obtain licenses to operate in the country.
In a separate development, FTX, a defunct cryptocurrency exchange, has filed to sell Digital Custody to CoinList for a significant markdown of $500,000. FTX had initially purchased Digital Custody for $10 million and the decision to sell it at a reduced price was influenced by the fact that FTX US has not been restarted, rendering Digital Custody of little value to the estate.
FTX’s legal team has assured that the transaction has been approved by the relevant committees and that FTX has the option to seek a superior offer until three days before the closing. However, in the event of a failed deal closure, a reverse termination fee of $50,000 will be imposed.
It is important to note that the sale of Digital Custody and the restructuring plans of FTX do not include a reboot of the firm, but rather focus on repaying customers in full. This comes after numerous FTX users expressed concerns about the handling of their cryptocurrency deposits, citing that it prevented them from benefiting from the recent surge in crypto prices.
In conclusion, the regulation of cryptocurrency activities in Nigeria and the sale of Digital Custody by FTX are significant developments in the crypto space. These events underscore the importance of implementing measures to combat financial crimes and ensuring transparency in crypto transactions to protect both investors and the financial system as a whole.
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