This year’s Moonshot event will feature a fresh dialogue on cryptocurrency, reflecting significant developments across Africa. Numerous countries on the continent are now establishing definitive regulatory policies for digital currencies, while a wave of pioneering startups is beginning to take shape.
Once dominated by speculative excitement in venture capital circles, the crypto narrative has matured into one of consistent advancement. The entrepreneurs attending Moonshot are less driven by buzz and more committed to creating practical systems that enable digital currencies to function effectively in everyday life.
Throughout Africa and beyond, crypto is increasingly utilized for remittances, stablecoin savings, and purchasing goods via cards linked to digital assets. Businesses are also embracing this trend. The primary hurdle has shifted from raising awareness about digital assets to developing robust infrastructure that ensures transactions are straightforward and secure.
At Moonshot 2025, six standout companies will participate in panel discussions, highlighting how crypto remains a largely untapped opportunity in finance. They will explore the essential infrastructure required to support this ecosystem and demonstrate how developers can build trustworthy, business-friendly platforms.
Blockchain.com – Connecting African Users to Global Financial Markets
Blockchain.com, a veteran in the crypto space for over ten years, is now intensifying its focus on Africa, starting with Nigeria, which has rapidly become its largest market on the continent.
The platform has integrated direct Naira payment options within its app, enabling users to buy, sell, and exchange cryptocurrencies without depending on peer-to-peer transactions. Additionally, Blockchain.com is preparing to launch tokenized U.S. equities through a partnership with Ondo Finance, a U.S.-based firm that digitizes financial assets, granting users access to over 100 U.S. stocks and ETFs.
With a physical office established in Nigeria, Blockchain.com is actively collaborating with regulators as part of its licensing efforts.
“Our mission is to make crypto, stablecoins, and U.S. equities accessible to every African directly via their mobile devices,” the company stated.
In regions where foreign investment often seems unattainable, the ability to purchase shares in companies like Microsoft or Amazon through a familiar crypto platform could revolutionize how individuals approach saving and investing.
Significance: The expansion of fintech in Africa hinges on building trust and improving access. At Moonshot 2025, Blockchain.com will contribute to a panel on the future of crypto infrastructure, illustrating how global crypto enterprises can collaborate with regulators while innovating responsibly across the continent.
Polytope Labs – Enhancing Blockchain Connectivity with Greater Security
Transferring digital assets across different blockchains often involves using digital “bridges” to avoid losing funds due to network incompatibilities. However, these bridges have historically been vulnerable to hacks, as they rely on multisignature validators to authorize transactions. Polytope Labs aims to eliminate these security risks.
The company’s flagship product, Hyperbridge, facilitates secure communication between blockchains without depending on centralized validators. Instead, it employs self-executing smart contracts and cryptographic proofs to autonomously verify every transaction. This approach allows developers to link blockchain networks safely, avoiding the pitfalls of conventional bridges.
“Hyperbridge’s security model is based on on-chain verification, where the entire network continuously monitors and validates each transaction in real time, prioritizing code integrity over human intervention,” Polytope Labs explained. “By leveraging Polkadot’s BEEFY security proofs, Hyperbridge inherits robust security without needing to establish its own validator set, thereby mitigating centralization risks common among competitors.”
Founded in 2023 by Seun Lanlege and David Salami, both former employees of Polkadot Labs and Parity Technologies, Polytope Labs recently secured over $5 million through a combination of a public token sale and venture capital seed funding. Hyperbridge currently connects more than a dozen major blockchains-including Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Base, Optimism, and BNB Chain-processing upwards of $30 million in transactions and saving users approximately $400 million in fees.
Lanlege describes Hyperbridge as an “interoperability coprocessor,” a background software that quietly ensures the security and stability of the broader crypto ecosystem.
Significance: The next stage of crypto’s evolution focuses on minimizing risks. At Moonshot 2025, Polytope Labs will participate in a panel discussing the transformative potential of stablecoins and decentralized finance (DeFi) in reshaping local and regional payment systems across Africa, emphasizing the technologies that guarantee secure and interoperable transactions.
Roqqu – Simplifying Cryptocurrency for Everyday Users
In Nigeria, a country with one of the highest rates of cryptocurrency adoption globally, Roqqu has emerged as a leading platform for buying and selling digital currencies with ease. The company was founded with a clear mission: to make cryptocurrency accessible and straightforward for everyone.
The Roqqu app offers a user-friendly interface where individuals can trade a diverse selection of tokens. Each digital asset undergoes thorough evaluation by the company’s research team before being made available, ensuring users are shielded from risky or unreliable projects.
July marked Roqqu’s expansion into Kenya through the acquisition of Flitaa, signaling its initial foray into East Africa. By September, the company introduced a Web3 wallet, enabling users to interact with decentralized applications (dApps) without needing to register on the main exchange platform.
Benjamin Onomor, Roqqu’s CEO, emphasizes the company’s vision to integrate cryptocurrency into daily life. This ambition is exemplified by a recent collaboration with a global football initiative, designed to broaden Roqqu’s reach across international borders.
Why it matters: At Moonshot 2025, Roqqu will participate in a panel discussing the role of stablecoins in cross-border commerce and why Africa remains an undervalued hub for crypto innovation. The company’s focus on intuitive design, security, and regional growth highlights how complex blockchain technology can be made practical for users who simply want to send, save, or spend digital money.
Luno – Creating Secure Access to Crypto and Tokenized Assets
Luno has been a foundational player in Africa’s cryptocurrency landscape since its inception in 2013 by Marcus Swanepoel and Timothy Stranex. The platform is recognized as one of the continent’s most reliable crypto exchanges, operating in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa, with a strong emphasis on security and user education.
Active in Nigeria since 2016, Luno offers a straightforward, self-regulated environment for purchasing and holding cryptocurrencies. The company has strengthened partnerships with local banks to facilitate seamless crypto transactions and maintains ongoing dialogue with Nigerian regulators to ensure compliance.
Recently, Luno introduced tokenized US stocks in both South Africa and Nigeria, allowing users to invest in American equities around the clock, six days a week. Additionally, it provides an institutional-grade over-the-counter (OTC) trading desk for large-scale investors and continues to develop cost-effective payment solutions for everyday users.
“We are also investigating responsible access to futures and perpetual contracts for qualified investors, expanding tokenized offerings of traditional assets, and enhancing recurring investment options to help retail customers invest regularly and securely,” the company shared in a statement.
Now fully owned by Digital Currency Group (DCG) since 2020, Luno serves over 14 million users across 40 countries and holds licenses in South Africa and Malaysia.
Why it matters: Luno’s long-standing presence in Africa and dedication to regulatory compliance have positioned it as a vital link between local financial systems and global markets. At Moonshot 2025, Luno Nigeria’s CEO, Ayotunde Alabi, will join a panel exploring the future of crypto infrastructure.
Busha – Pioneering Regulated Cryptocurrency in Nigeria
Since its inception in 2019 by founders Michael Adeyeri and Moyo Sodipo, Busha has distinguished itself by prioritizing regulatory compliance and trustworthiness in a sector often driven by rapid innovation over governance. Headquartered in Lagos, the platform currently supports 900,000 active users across Nigeria and Kenya, where it is nearing full regulatory approval from local authorities.
Busha offers a comprehensive suite of services allowing individuals to buy, sell, and save digital currencies, with the opportunity to earn yields up to 7.5% annually. Additionally, it provides businesses with crypto payment gateway solutions, facilitating seamless integration of digital assets into their operations.
“Our mission at Busha is to develop a crypto-enabled payment infrastructure that empowers both consumers and enterprises to transfer, receive, and store value instantly in their preferred digital currencies,” the company explains. “To date, we have onboarded over 50 corporate clients to Busha Business, underscoring the growing demand for our enterprise payment solutions.”
In August 2024, Busha became one of the first crypto platforms to secure a provisional license from Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through the Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme (ARIP). This milestone highlights how crypto firms can operate transparently within a regulated framework.
Busha also made history as the inaugural startup to list cNGN, a Naira-backed stablecoin issued by WrappedCBDC under regulatory supervision. Through Busha’s platform, users can trade cNGN alongside prominent cryptocurrencies such as USDT, USDC, and Bitcoin.
Beyond trading, Busha is deeply invested in educational initiatives. In September, it launched an executive program on digital asset regulation in collaboration with the SEC, Kenya’s School of Government, and Cambridge Enterprise, aimed at equipping policymakers and finance experts with critical knowledge.
Significance: Busha’s commitment to regulatory adherence and education positions it as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s evolving crypto ecosystem. At Moonshot 2025, the company will discuss strategies for creating secure and dependable digital payment infrastructures that businesses can confidently adopt.
Dantown – Driving Widespread Crypto Payment Adoption
Established in 2018, Dantown has rapidly emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading crypto trading and payment platforms. The startup empowers individuals and enterprises to transact with cryptocurrencies for everyday needs, including instant trades and bill payments for utilities, cable subscriptions, and mobile data.
In June, Chimene Chinah was promoted to CEO of the Port Harcourt-based company. Previously serving as COO, Chinah played a pivotal role in developing Dantown’s exchange, virtual card offerings, and digital payment infrastructure. His current focus is on enhancing regulatory compliance and steering the company toward regional expansion.
Dantown is actively pursuing licensing through the SEC and is engaged in the ARIP sandbox, which provides virtual asset service providers (VASPs) with a clear regulatory pathway. Concurrently, the startup is building an over-the-counter (OTC) platform tailored for high-volume traders seeking secure and customized transaction experiences.
The parent organization, Thoth Group, supports Dantown’s growth by running internship and graduate trainee programs that cultivate young talent in business, engineering, and marketing. This initiative has become integral to the company’s culture, ensuring a continuous influx of skilled fintech professionals.
Significance: By emphasizing reliability, education, and accessible services, Dantown is positioning itself as a key player in expanding financial inclusion through crypto payments across Nigeria. At Moonshot 2025, it will share insights on how these priorities are shaping the future of digital finance in the region.
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