News Editor
By David Odama
Senate, through its Committee on Capital Market, has collaborated with stakeholders in Blockchain Association of Nigeria, SIBAN on legal framework for crypto exchange in the country .
This was disclosed on Wednesday in Abuja during an interactive session between the committee led by Senator Osita Izunaso (APC Imo West) and the SIBAN delegation led by its President, Obinna Iwuno.
In his remarks, the SIBAN President said Nigeria which ranks second in the world in Crypto Currency adoption and number one in Africa needs to give the blockchain technology and digital asset, legal framework as it is done in the United States of America.
Iwuno informed that, SIBAN for now, is self regulatory, but networking with Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU in promoting all aspects of the country’s capital and digital assets .
“Recently, President Donald Trump of the United States of America signed a bill into law called the Genius Act, to enable the use of dollar stable USD stable coins which means the USA is also positioning itself to make sure that in the new global financial system that is coming, dollar does not lose its dominance and value as the global currency.
“Here in Nigeria, we cannot afford to take the back seat after ranking second globally in Crypto Currency adoption.
“In Africa, we take the lead. We contribute over 60 percent of Africa’s adoption and activities on the blockchain.
“These are very important figures for us to note. From chain analysis, release of transactions that has been done on the blockchain, the figure was a staggering $59 billion. And that is even a tip of the iceberg of the potential that we can harness if we have the proper legal framework, structure, regulation, policy and support,” he stressed.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the chairman of the committee Senator Izunaso, commended SIBAN for its efforts in promoting the growth of digital economy in Nigeria.
He said: “We truly value your dedication to fostering a safe, innovative, and well-regulated digital economy.
“The topics you have proposed for discussion, such as leveraging block chain technology and tokenization, ensuring investor protection, enhancing industry capacity, and advocating for supportive policy frameworks, align closely with our committee’s objectives.
“We are eager to delve into these subjects and examine ways to enhance Nigeria’s capital market products and services. This meeting offers a valuable chance for us to collaborate and influence the future of our capital market.”
Members of the committee like Senators Victor Umeh (LP Anambra Central), Jibrin Isah (APC Kogi East), Mustapha Khabeeb (APC Jigawa South West) etc, in their remarks, called for enabling laws for Crypto Currency operators in the country.
