The financial landscape for digital assets in Nigeria is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by a major Nigeria crypto regulations update from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This pivotal move introduces a substantially increased capital requirement for cryptocurrency exchanges operating within the country, aiming to fortify market stability and enhance investor protection. The directive, formalized in a circular issued on January 16, 2026, replaces an outdated 2015 capital regime, signaling a new era of stringent oversight for the nation’s burgeoning crypto sector. This change is poised to reshape how both established and emerging digital asset firms conduct business across Nigeria.
What are the new capital requirements for crypto exchanges in Nigeria? The SEC’s updated directive mandates a minimum capital of N2 billion for Digital Assets Exchanges (DAX) and Digital Assets Custodians. Other categories like Digital Assets Offering Platforms (DAOP) now require N1 billion, with new classifications such as Ancillary Virtual Assets Service Providers (AVASPs) set at N300 million, and Digital Assets Intermediaries (DAI) at N500 million.
This comprehensive overhaul of the Nigeria crypto regulations outlines specific thresholds for various categories of digital asset operations. Firms previously navigating a less defined regulatory environment are now firmly integrated into this new capital requirement structure. The Commission has provided a generous compliance window, setting the deadline for all affected entities as June 30, 2027. This period is intended to give businesses ample opportunity to adjust their financial structures and meet the revised demands, ensuring a smoother transition into the new regulatory paradigm.
Understanding what are crypto regulations in Nigeria requires a closer look at the different classifications and their new capital demands. For instance, Digital Assets Offering Platforms (DAOP), which facilitate token issuance, have seen their requirement double from N500 million to N1 billion. Ancillary Virtual Assets Service Providers (AVASPs), a newly defined category encompassing services like wallet providers or blockchain analytics firms, are now required to hold N300 million. Similarly, Digital Assets Intermediaries (DAI) and Digital Assets Platform Operators (DAPOs), including token issuers, must meet a N500 million threshold. Even Real-world Assets Tokenization and Offering Platforms (RATOP) have been introduced with a N1 billion capital requirement
