(Sep 15–22)
1) Nigeria: global exchange goes local in Lagos
Blockchain.com opened its first African office in Nigeria and re-enabled naira (NGN) withdrawals, signalling a localisation + compliance push under Nigeria’s evolving rules. Hiring is focused on compliance and BD while engaging the Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC) under the new Investments and Securities Act framework, and the company says activity has doubled since February.
We’re big fans of Blockchain.com here. Have HODL’d in it ever since it was blockchain.info and received multiple airdrops and interest along the way. 😀
2) Kenya: deepfake scare + lawmaking week
- Last week, a deepfake-amplified token promo briefly appeared on former PM Raila Odinga’s verified X account before it was deleted. Pushing a new “Kenya Token”, multiple outlets reported the account had been hacked and the clip was AI-generated. Community sleuths flagged classic red flags around the token’s launch mechanics, noting insider bundling and wallets snapping up a large chunk of supply before retail (“rug-pull” risk). Another timely reminder to verify the messenger, the venue, and the asset.
- On the policy side, Kenya’s Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill, 2025 is on Parliament’s agenda this week as the House resumes, a step closer toward a licence-and-monitor regime. (Background: Second Reading kicked off earlier in the year.)
3) South Africa: tax transparency
- SARS (South African Revenue Service) published draft regulations to implement the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development(OECD)’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) on Sep 15, plus an explanatory note updating CRS (Common Reporting Standard) to catch indirect crypto exposure via derivatives/vehicles. Translation: stricter, standardised cross-border reporting is coming for platforms that serve SA users.
Market Watch: Price & Flows (as at 13:11 EAT, Tue Sep 23, 2025)
Bitcoin (BTC) spent the session between $111.6k–$113.5k, holding last week’s breakout area. A decisive push above $113.5k keeps $115–116k in play; lose $111k and you’re back into the mid-$110k chop.
Ethereum (ETH) is stabilizing around $4.12k–$4.22k after a sharper pullback from ~$4.5k. Holding $4.1k matters; reclaiming $4.3–4.35k would signal momentum back to builders’ favorite charts.
Stablecoins & spreads: Still the quiet headline in Africa. As merchant rails go live and reporting regimes firm up, watch for tighter KES/NGN/ZAR spreads on compliant venues and fewer opaque P2P premiums.
Bottom line today: Prices are treading water, but the rails, rules, and real-world UX are doing the heavy lifting for adoption.
Quick takes (so what)
- Local presence matters: Blockchain.com’s Lagos office + NGN rails is the clearest “boots-on-ground” move from a global exchange this week.
- User protection is real-time: Kenya’s deepfake token episode shows why licences and verified communications matter for retail.
- Compliance budgets, update now: CARF/CRS drafts in SA will reshape onboarding and reporting for SA-facing exchanges and brokers.
Let’s see what this week holds!
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