CBN lifts ban on cryptocurrency transactions

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has lifted the ban earlier placed on cryptocurrency transactions in the country.

The CBN made this known via a circular dated December 22, 2023, and signed by the apex bank’s Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Haruna Mustafa.

The circular with reference number FPR/DIR/PUB/CIR/002/003 was titled ‘Circular to all Banks and other Financial Institutions Guidelines on Operations of Bank Accounts for Virtual Assets Service Providers (VASPS).’

The CBN, however, directed commercial banks in Nigeria to disregard its earlier ban on cryptocurrency transactions in the country.

The apex bank stated: “The CBN, in February 2021 issued a circular restricting banks and other financial institutions from operating accounts for cryptocurrency service providers in view of the money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/TF) risks and vulnerabilities inherent in their operations as well as the absence of regulations and consumer protection measures.

“However, current trends globally have shown that there is a need to regulate the activities of virtual assets service providers (VASPs) which include cryptocurrencies and crypto assets.

“Following this development, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2018 also updated its Recommendation 15 to require VASPS to be regulated to prevent misuse of virtual assets for ML/TF/PF.

“Furthermore, Section 30 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 recognises VASPs as part of the definition of a financial institution.

“In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission in May 2022 issued Rules on Issuance, Offering and Custody of Digital Assets and VASPs to provide a regulatory framework for their operations in Nigeria.

“In view of the foregoing, the CBN hereby issues this guideline to provide guidance to financial institutions under its regulatory purview in respect of their banking relationship with VASPs in Nigeria.

“The new guideline supersedes the CBN’s circulars referenced FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/06/010 of January 12, 2017, and BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/014/001 of February 5, 2021, on the subject.”

The CBN added that banks and other financial institutions are still prohibited from holding, trading, and/or transacting in virtual currencies on their account.

The Star