Bitcoin News and Finance
Nigerian Central Bank Intensifying Fight Against Cryptocurrency Traders Skip to main content

Nigerian Central Bank Intensifying Fight Against Cryptocurrency Traders

Just a few days after launching the e-naira digital currency, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is now reportedly ramping up the pressure against cryptocurrency traders.

Bank Employees Warned

In a memo to its staff seen by Bitcoin.com News, one of Nigeria’s leading banks, FCMB, warns its employees against aiding cryptocurrency traders. The bank reveals that any account that is found to be in violation of the CBN directive will be closed.

In addition, FCMB said employees that willfully fail to disclose the existence of an account that is involved in cryptocurrency trading will also be punished. According to the memo, all FCMB employees are now expected to be involved in the monitoring of accounts, transactions, and customers in order to ensure the bank is fully complying with the CBN directive.

Meanwhile, in order to help employees easily identify accounts that are used by cryptocurrency traders, FCMB has produced and shared a list of 20 red flags to look out for. Some of these red flags include bank accounts that receive high daily inflows from a huge number of payees, and accounts operating as bureaux de change without a license from the CBN.

CBN Ratcheting Up the Pressure

In another sign that the CBN is ratcheting up the pressure, a letter supposedly authored by the central bank directs all banks to close accounts belonging to Nnamdi Francis Okereke and Nwaorgu Kingsley Chibuzor. In the letter, which began circulating on social media just over a week after the e-naira launch, the CBN claims the accounts are being used for cryptocurrency trading and this violates the central bank’s February 5 directive.

The same letter similarly asks banks to close accounts belonging to TVS Hallmark Service and to place the funds in a suspension account.

Nigerian Central Bank Intensifying Fight Against Cryptocurrency Traders

Reacting to these reports in a tweet, Senator Inhenyen, who is the president of the Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SIBAN), called the CBN’s action “unduly discriminatory and unconstitutional.” Inhenyen argues that only the Nigerian legislature has the authority to act against cryptocurrencies. He explained:

“This is not regulation but oppression. Where is the National Assembly of Nigeria? The central bank’s action is ultra vires. This has to stop. We are not in a lawless country. Only the National Assembly can illegalize cryptocurrency.”

What do you think is behind the CBN’s renewed efforts to block cryptocurrency traders? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Custodial Lightning Network Service Attack Discovered by LN ‘Newbie’ — Hacker Strikes 6 LN Custodians

On September 18, a Redditor posted to the r/bitcoin forum and explained how he discovered a way to “attack [the] lightning Network’s custodial services.” The Reddit account dubbed “Reckless Satoshi” wanted to figure out if a “discrepancy between real routing fees and service’s transaction fee can be exploited for a profit.” The researcher disclosed that he wanted to see how large the damage could be and said “it is bad.” 6 Lightning Network Custodial Services Attacked, Researcher Discloses Findings to Offenders Prior to Public Disclosure A Redditor called Reckless Satoshi published a disclosure post on r/bitcoin this past Saturday and disclosed how he had found a vulnerability with routing fees and some of the Lightning Network’s custodial services. The research attack was done in good faith and after it was complete he disclosed the bugs to the offending services before publishing his findings. Reckless Satoshi used the Lightning Network (LN) attack on six different services incl
Post a Comment
Read more

Axie Infinity Down 40% Since Last Week’s Price High, Protocol Revenue Outshines Competitors

Last week, the game token leveraged within the Axie Infinity gaming universe skyrocketed to all-time highs, while other crypto markets remained extremely lackluster. During the last seven days, Axie Infinity’s platform token has dropped significantly in value shedding more than 12%. Meanwhile, the game platform’s smooth love potion token has slid over 8% over the last 24 hours. Axie Infinity Down More Than 40% Since All-Time High Not too long ago, the axie infinity (AXS) token was a topical conversation because it reached an all-time high on July 15. At the time, AXS managed to capture $28.93 per unit and since then it has shed 12.8% during the last seven days. The axie infinity (AXS) token is used within the blockchain-based game that involves battles between token-based creatures called “Axies.” AXS is used for the game’s governance system as well as other actions within the game. At the time of writing axie infinity (AXS) is exchanging hands for $16.70 per coin. AXS/USD on Ju
Post a Comment
Read more

Play-to-Earn Game From Polker (PKR) Exchange Listing – Endorsed by Akon

The Play-to-Earn NFT based Polker.Game ‘s native token $PKR has been officially listed on the popular centralized exchange BitMart. Polker.game has been in the spotlight recently as Akon, the American R&B superstar and record producer gave his official endorsement of polker stating that the “game is revolutionary” and that Polker is “hands down.. the best play to earn, NFT game in the space.”. With the BitMart listing and celebrity endorsement from Akon, Polker is perfectly positioned to become a major player in the Play-to-Earn league. Watch Akon’s Video Here What is Play-to-Earn? Although not a new concept, play-to-earn has become a trending term due to the popularity of the NFT game AXIE infinity. In the past, previous play-to-earn games have also achieved success – however, thanks to the huge amount of development in the blockchain space in recent years the gaming experience is now massively improved. Play-to-Earn games are essentially free to play and open to anyone and
Post a Comment
Read more

China to Crack Down on Copyright Infringement Through NFTs

Authorities in China are going after creators of digital collectibles based on other people’s works of art, the use of which was not authorized. The government offensive is part of a campaign to combat online copyright infringement and piracy with the participation of several departments. Regulators in China Move to Strengthen Copyright Supervision of Online Platforms The National Copyright Administration of China (NCAC) has recently launched a campaign against copyright infringement and piracy on the internet, together with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Public Security, and the State Internet Information Office of the People’s Republic. A major objective of the initiative is to improve copyright supervision of online businesses by investigating cases involving the sale and distribution of infringing products on short video, live broadcast and e-commerce platforms, and promptly dealing with infringing content, the agency announced in a press r
Post a Comment
Read more
Blogarama - Blog Directory