Business

South Africa’s crypto companies are being forced to migrate due to a lack of regulation

Published

5 years ago

June 29, 2021

The biggest cryptocurrency fraud that took place in 2020 was a rude awakening for South Africa’s regulator and not everyone is waiting to see how it all plays out. As major financial hubs such as Singapore rewrite laws and regulations to entice crypto firms, and the United Kingdom government faces calls to start embracing virtual currencies, South Africa’s rapidly growing transactions say they are being forced to relocate their headquarters refers to speculation. About potential state regulation.

A lack of monitoring and restrictions on marketing to potential consumers are to blame for the dissatisfaction. Revix, a Cape-Town-based company that specializes in currency bundles, is relocating its headquarters to the United Kingdom and establishing a second site in Germany to support its expansion. Luno is Africa’s largest digital currency platform, with offices in London and Singapore.

In an interview, Sean Sanders who is a Revix Chief Executive Officer noted that South African regulators have been very sluggish in regards to regulation in the industry, and that leads to firms going overseas. In an unregulated environment, a consumer is entitled to be skeptical of their platform. With Elon Musks’ investing $1.5 billion and billionaire hedge-fund managers endorsing the currency, digital currencies are becoming increasingly popular on a daily basis. Bitcoin reached a high of more than $58,000 last month before reversing some of its gains, establishing itself as a hedge against inflation risk just as concerns about price pressures grow.

The recent year has been very important and challenging for the crypto-industry and the friendly regulatory framework in South Africa created a good environment for the companies to operate in the country. However, the lighter regulations resulted in troubles for not only brokerage companies that provide people with service, but for the crypto betting companies in South Africa who are now concerned about their activities as well. However, in a watershed moment for the sector, a suspected Ponzi scam in South Africa may have led investors to lose up to $1.2 billion in the world’s most renowned cryptocurrency.

Scam of the Year

Mirror Trading Holdings was put into contractionary territory and blockchain experts have since called it the world’s greatest crypto crime of the year. The company is said to have amassed over 23,000 bitcoin from investors, and its CEO is said to have gone to Brazil. Earle Loxton, CEO of Digital Currency Index, a company he founded with the help of former FirstRand Ltd. CEO Michael Jordaan stated that South Africa has a terrible history of pyramid and Ponzi scams, and crypto was the natural new structure for this. Regulation is welcomed by honest operations because it allows their clients to invest with trust, particularly at the organizational level.

South Africa may frustrate its entrepreneurs, but it is viewed as a forerunner in the industry in comparison to the rest of the continent since authorities and businesses are collaborating on suggestions. Plans to regulate the industry in Nigeria have been put on hold until operators create a bank account in the West African country. According to Brandon Topham, head of compliance at the Finance Sector in South Africa, the goal for South African authorities is to improve consumer rights rather than corporate security. In the next two months, he expects more offers.

Regulatory momentum

South Africa’s main banks have all endorsed regulatory attempts to establish a framework for crypto belongings, but their approaches to sector players are currently divided. Standard Bank Group Ltd has not prohibited crypto-asset businesses from all of the operations while FirstRnad’s first national bank has no financial connections with digital forex or dealers, according to emailed responses.

According to Sanders, South Africa’s crypto businesses find it difficult to remote on Facebook and Twitter since they are unregulated. As a result, their growth possibilities are hampered. The claims that the lack of policy has harmed South Africa’s revenue collection function, since relocating head offices necessitates paying tax in many nations.

According to Luno CEO Marius Reitz, the lack of a legislative framework had made it impossible for crypto platforms to maintain bank accounts. As a result, buyers will find it extremely difficult to purchase Bitcoin using their local fiat currency. There are indications that things are moving to the correct path. The regulator has issued draft regulations that would allow crypto assets to be classified as financial products. However, Sanders warns that doing so risks overlooking crypto’s novelty appeal.

South Africa appears to be going the other way as some of the more advanced market pioneers and innovators in this space. It appears that authorities are being laid by applying hundred-year-old securities laws to the innovative bitcoin asset class.

Business

Agency Gives Insight Into Its Inspection, Monitoring Operations

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Director, South South Zone National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharmacist Chujwuma P.Oligbu has said its thorough implementation of its core mandate of monitoring has no link with witch-hunting or fault finding as perceived at some quarters.

Oligbu, made this known when he spoke as as guest at the maiden Rivers state Supermarkets stakeholders’ Seminar/Workshop in Port Harcourt recently.

Rather, he said they were mere opportunities for education, correction and continuous improvement.

The Agency’s South South Boss, noted that Supermarket operators who maintain transparent records, cooperate during inspections, and promptly address identified gaps demonstrate professionalism and commitment to public health standard.

He listed the deserving essence of supermarket operation to include the key aspects of supermarket operation that deserves emphasis is product sourcing.

“Supermarkets must ensure that all regulated products stocked on their shelves are duly registered with NAFDAC and sourced from legitimate manufacturers or distributors”, he said .

According to him, the presence of unregistered, expired, counterfeit, or improper labelled products undermines consumer confidence and poses serious health risks.

He pointed out that such has the likelihood of exposeing supermarket operators to legal sanctions that could damage their reputation and financial stability.

The NAFDAC Operator, further enlightened the participants that mere registration of a particular product with the Federal agency do not guarantee absolute consumption safety.

“Temperature control, cleanliness, pest control, stock rotation, and proper shelving are not optional practice; they are essential components of compliance”, he said.

The South South zonal director also told the operators of supermarket that their employees rotine training on the basis of the product they display for sale is of utmost importance.

In her presentation a Breast Milk Nutrition Expert , Professor Alice Nte of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), was against the body’s prime attention to breast milk substitute or baby milk in supermarkets as well as its advertisement or promotion.

Nye jerked up the importance of mothers breast milk to the newborn baby and added that it help in fighting against childhood diseases, infections and combating cancer in breastfeeding mothers.

Meanwhile, NAFDAC Deputy Director, South – South Zone , Mrs. Riter Chujwuma educated the participants on the guidelines for global listing, and the need to adhere strictly to rules guiding global listing to avoid confiscation of their imported products.

By: King Onunwor

Business

BVN Enrolments Rise 6% To 67.8m In 2025 — NIBSS

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) has said that Bank Verification Number (BVN) enrolments rose by 6.8 per cent year-on-year to 67.8 million as at December 2025, up from 63.5 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2024.

In a statement published on its website, NIBSS attributed the growth to stronger policy enforcement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the expansion of diaspora enrolment initiatives.

According to the data, more than 4.3 million new BVNs were issued within the one-year period, underscoring the growing adoption of biometric identification as a prerequisite for accessing financial services in Nigeria.

NIBSS noted that the expansion reinforces the BVN system’s central role in Nigeria’s financial inclusion drive and digital identity framework.

Analysts linked the growth largely to regulatory measures by the CBN, particularly the directive to restrict or freeze bank accounts without both a BVN and National Identification Number (NIN), which took effect from April 2024.

The policy compelled many customers to regularise their biometric records to retain access to banking services.

Another major driver, the statement said, was the rollout of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) initiative, which allows Nigerians in the diaspora to obtain a BVN remotely without physical presence in the country.

The programme has been widely regarded as a milestone in integrating the diaspora into Nigeria’s formal financial system.

A five-year analysis by NIBSS showed consistent growth in BVN enrolments, rising from 51.9 million in 2021 to 56.0 million in 2022, 60.1 million in 2023, 63.5 million in 2024 and 67.8 million by December 2025. The steady increase reflects stronger compliance with biometric identity requirements and improved coverage of the national banking identity system.

However, NIBSS noted that BVN enrolments still lag the total number of active bank accounts, which exceeded 320 million as of March 2025.

The gap, it explained, is largely due to multiple bank accounts linked to single BVNs, as well as customers yet to complete enrolment, despite the progress recorded.

Business

AFAN Unveils Plans To Boost Food Production In 2026

Published

5 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has set the tone for the new year with a renewed focus on food security, unity and long-term growth of the agricultural sector.

The association announced that its General Assembly of Farmers Congress will take place from January 15 to 17, 2026 at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industries, along Lugbe Airport Road, in the Federal Capital Territory.

The gathering is expected to bring together farmers, policymakers, investors and development partners to shape a fresh direction for Nigerian agriculture.

In a New Year address to members and stakeholders, AFAN president, Dr Farouk Rabiu Mudi, said the congress would provide a strategic forum for reviewing past challenges and outlining practical solutions for the future.

He explained that the event would serve as a rallying point for innovation, collaboration and economic renewal within the sector.

Mudi commended farmers across the country for their determination and hard work, despite years of insecurity, climate-related pressures and economic uncertainty.

According to him, their resilience has kept food production alive and positioned agriculture as a stabilising force in the national economy.

He noted that AFAN intends to build on this strength by resetting agribusiness operations to improve productivity and sustainability.

The AFAN leader appealed to government institutions, private investors and development organisations to deepen their engagement with the association.

He stressed the need for collective action to confront persistent issues such as insecurity in farming communities, climate impacts and market instability.

He also urged members to put aside internal disputes and personal interests, encouraging cooperation and shared responsibility in pursuit of national development.

Mudi outlined key priorities that include increasing food output, expanding support for farmers at the grassroots and strengthening local manufacturing through partnerships with both domestic and international investors adding that reducing dependence on imports remains critical to protecting the economy and creating jobs.

He stated that the upcoming congress will feature the launch of AFAN’s twenty-five-year agricultural mechanisation roadmap, alongside the announcement of new partnerships designed to accelerate growth across the value chain.

Participants, he said wi also have opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange aimed at transforming agriculture into a more competitive and technology-driven sector.

As part of its modernisation drive, AFAN is further encouraging members nationwide to enrol for the newly introduced Digital ID Card.

Mudi said the initiative will improve transparency, ensure proper farmer identification and make it easier to access support programmes and services.

Reaffirming the association’s long-term goal, he said the vision of national food sufficiency by 2030 remains achievable if unity and collaboration are sustained.

He expressed optimism that with collective effort, Nigeria’s agricultural sector can overcome its challenges and deliver a more secure and prosperous future.

Lady Usendi