The Nigerian Senate has passed the cryptocurrency regulation bill on its second reading, which aims to require exchanges to apply for licenses

According to Premium Times, the Nigerian Senate passed a bill on Tuesday aimed at regulating cryptocurrency, protecting investors, and strengthening the digital economy. The bill passed its second reading and has been submitted to the Capital Market Committee for further review, with a report due in four weeks.

The bill was introduced by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and aims to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for virtual assets, digital assets, and virtual asset service providers. It mandates that cryptocurrency exchanges apply for licenses and comply with transparency and regulatory requirements. Chief Whip Tahir Monguno stated during the debate that although Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest cryptocurrency adoption rates in Africa, it has fallen behind several African nations in regulating the digital financial ecosystem. The lack of a clear legal framework exposes investors to risks and allows illegal activities to thrive in the industry.