Nigeria's Central Bank Orders Banks to Close Accounts of All Crypto Users
Any breaches of the order would face "severe regulatory sanctions," the central bank warned.
Updated Dec 10, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. UTC
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has ordered all banks to close any accounts transacting with cryptocurrencies.
- The CBN said it was reminding regulated banking institutions that "dealing in cryptocurrencies or facilitating payments for cryptocurrency exchanges is prohibited."
- As such, all banks should "identify persons and/or entities" transacting with cryptocurrency or operating crypto exchanges on their platforms and "ensure that such accounts are closed immediately."
- Any breaches of the order would face "severe regulatory sanctions," the order states.
- The CBN letterhttps://www.cbn.gov.ng/Out/2021/CCD/Letter%20to%20All%20Banks%20on%20Crypto%20Currency.pdf is signed by Bello Hassan, Director of Banking Supervision, and dated Feb. 5.