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.
:format(jpg)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/coindesk/XOHCIGE5VJCFXOD5K3TLAVB2TM.jpg)
Lagos, Nigeria
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.
DISCLOSURE
Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.
The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG.
Learn more about Consensus 2023, CoinDesk’s longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.