Blockchain.com, a cryptocurrency firm headquartered in the UK, has officially launched its first physical office on the African continent, choosing Nigeria as its entry point. This development follows the company’s announcement seven months ago about its intentions to expand into Africa, with Nigeria serving as the cornerstone for its wider regional growth.
The firm highlights Nigeria as its most market-n203bn-profit-consolidation/” title=”NGX Equities … Builds on Momentum with Impressive N203bn Profit Boost”>significant market in Africa, noting a doubling in user engagement. Central to this momentum is Nigeria’s Investment and Securities Act (2025), which explicitly brings virtual assets under the regulatory scope of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This legislation provides the clearest regulatory framework yet for crypto exchanges operating in Africa’s largest crypto ecosystem.
“Since our initial announcement in February, our user base has surged by 100%,” shared Owenize Odia, Blockchain.com’s General Manager for Africa, in an interview with TechCabal. “Nigeria stands as our leading market on the continent, which gave us the assurance to establish a local presence, especially as regulatory clarity around virtual assets becomes more defined.”
Blockchain.com is actively collaborating with the SEC regarding licensing protocols, although formal approvals are still underway. Odia emphasized the company’s commitment to maintaining a cooperative stance with regulators.
“Our goal is to be seen as reliable and compliant partners by regulators, policymakers, and users throughout Africa,” she explained. “For Blockchain.com, the priority is ensuring alignment with regulatory bodies in every market where we plan to grow.”
To support this expansion, Blockchain.com has recruited key personnel in Nigeria across compliance, business development, customer success, and growth sectors. Additionally, the company is broadening its recruitment efforts in Ghana, seeking to appoint a compliance lead. These moves underscore the company’s focus on regulatory adherence and rapid scaling in markets with high crypto adoption.
Odia confirmed ongoing hiring initiatives in other strategic markets, describing the company’s approach as “rapid scaling with compliance at the core,” by assembling teams capable of engaging regulators directly and tailoring products to meet local demands.
This expansion strategy also reflects a shift in how crypto companies are approaching the African market. Instead of managing operations remotely, Blockchain.com prioritizes “localization” by placing staff on the ground who possess deep market insights and can maintain direct dialogue with regulatory authorities.
On September 15, Blockchain.com reinstated naira withdrawals on its platform, reversing a suspension that had been in place since early 2024 amid Nigeria’s regulatory clampdown on peer-to-peer (P2P) crypto trading. This reinstatement highlights the company’s dedication to restoring full functionality for users while adhering to the country’s evolving compliance standards.
Despite prolonged regulatory ambiguity, Nigeria remains one of the world’s leading nations in crypto adoption. With the new legislation, renewed support for the naira, and the arrival of global crypto players establishing local operations, Nigeria is poised to become the launchpad for the next wave of crypto growth across Africa. Blockchain.com, active since 2011, is banking on its early entry and regulatory compliance to secure a lasting foothold.
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