SEC Sets Up Fintech Unit To Study Cryptocurrency Investments

Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced on Thursday that it has set up a fintech division to research crypto investments and products in order to develop policies.

This disclosure was made by the Director-General of SEC, Lamido Yuguda, during a virtual interview with Reuters on Thursday in Abuja.

Yuguda said, “We are looking at this market closely to see how we can bring out regulations that will help investors protect their investment in blockchain.’’

Although he did not provide any time frame for issuing the regulations, the SEC boss said the capital market regulator will step in with regulations once crypto is allowed within the Nigerian banking system.

The SEC has sought to regulate cryptocurrencies on the grounds that they qualify as securities transactions. Yuguda disclosed that the recent launch of the country’s digital currency, e-naira, is the result of its engagement with the CBN.

The commission is seeking to work with fintech firms to boost the marketing of domestic securities to prevent capital flight.

He said the SEC is looking to boost savings through investment schemes, which currently have over N4 trillion ($9.7 billion) under management split between public and private fund managers. Yuguda also said the regulator has asked private managers to put in place custody arrangements to protect investors.