On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Blockchain.com’s Africa division convened with journalists in Lagos to highlight its renewed dedication to Nigeria, one of the company’s most significant and dynamic markets on the continent.
This event marked Blockchain.com’s first substantial media engagement in Nigeria since inaugurating its physical office earlier this year in February. The meeting provided a platform to deepen connections with local partners and emphasize the company’s sustained commitment to the rapidly expanding cryptocurrency ecosystem in the region.
Since its inception in 2011 as a Bitcoin blockchain explorer, Blockchain.com has operated globally for over a decade. The establishment of a Nigerian office has catalyzed a remarkable 100% increase in user activity. This strategic move underscores the company’s intent to embed itself more firmly within Africa’s most energetic crypto landscape.
But why choose this moment to intensify focus on Nigeria?
Nigeria has consistently ranked among Blockchain.com’s most engaged markets in Africa. Despite lacking a physical presence, a substantial number of Nigerians have utilized its wallet and trading services. The country’s burgeoning crypto enthusiasm-fueled by a youthful, tech-savvy, and financially inquisitive population-made it clear that a local footprint was essential.
“Nigeria has always been pivotal to our global growth story,” explained Owenize Odia, Blockchain.com’s General Manager for Africa. “However, we wanted to approach this with the right local expertise, regulatory collaboration, and compliance measures from the outset. Now, the conditions are ideal.”
This timing is influenced by two main factors. Firstly, Nigeria’s status as a global crypto powerhouse, and secondly, a gradual evolution in regulatory attitudes, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) offering clearer guidelines on the operation of virtual asset service providers.
“Nigerians were already engaging with Blockchain.com,” noted Michael Emeeka, Head of Business and Customer Operations in Nigeria. “However, without an official presence, access was limited. After launching locally, our brokerage volumes doubled within months, proving that users were eager for our arrival.”
Compliance forms the cornerstone of Blockchain.com’s Nigerian expansion. In an industry often clouded by ambiguity, the company is leveraging regulatory adherence as a strategic advantage.
“Compliance is at the heart of what we do,” said Serena Braide, Compliance MLRO Officer for Nigeria. “From thorough KYC processes to continuous transaction monitoring, we adhere to international standards like those set by the FATF. Every client undergoes rigorous screening to ensure we meet global expectations.”
Before onboarding local staff, Blockchain.com proactively engaged with the SEC to align its operations with Nigerian laws. “We wanted regulators to understand our values and operational ethos,” Odia emphasized.
Holding licenses across 35 U.S. states, Blockchain.com applies the same stringent frameworks in Nigeria. Braide highlighted that this approach is as much about governance as it is about fostering trust.
“Being recognized by the SEC instills confidence,” she remarked. “Clients know their assets are protected. Operating as if fully licensed means we maintain the highest standards without shortcuts.”
Odia added that obtaining licenses also grants operational flexibility. “Licensing enables transparent marketing, confident partnerships, and open operations. It’s more than paperwork-it’s a mark of credibility.”
Expanding Crypto’s Practical Use Beyond Trading
For Blockchain.com, regulatory compliance is only one facet of its strategy. Equally important is enhancing crypto’s real-world utility beyond mere investment speculation.
“Our goal isn’t just for people to buy and hold cryptocurrencies,” Emeeka explained. “We want crypto to integrate seamlessly into daily financial activities-whether for payments, commerce, or international money transfers.”
To facilitate this, Blockchain.com has introduced a secure fiat-to-crypto gateway, enabling Nigerians to convert naira to cryptocurrencies safely, eliminating the risks associated with peer-to-peer exchanges.
Additionally, the platform now offers tokenized assets, allowing users to invest in fractional shares of U.S. companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Netflix directly from their mobile devices using local currency.
“It’s about democratizing access,” Odia stated. “Africans deserve the same opportunities to engage with global financial markets as anyone else.”
Recognizing the pivotal role stablecoins play in Africa’s crypto transactions-accounting for roughly 40% of activity in 2024, according to Chainalysis-Blockchain.com is broadening its stablecoin services. Users can now send and receive stablecoins across various blockchains with reduced fees, addressing one of the continent’s major challenges: costly remittances.
“Cross-border payments remain prohibitively expensive,” Emeeka said. “Stablecoins offer a solution, and we’re making them more accessible.”
Promoting Education and Awareness
Blockchain.com’s leadership recognizes that technology alone won’t drive widespread adoption; education is equally vital. Nigeria’s crypto narrative has often been clouded by misinformation, scams, and market volatility. The company is committed to changing this through ongoing public education initiatives.
“Education lays the groundwork for sustainable adoption,” said Chisom Felix, Marketing Lead for Nigeria. “We aim to equip people with a clear understanding of both the benefits and risks of crypto, empowering them to make informed decisions.”
To support this, Blockchain.com is launching an educational campus tour across four Nigerian regions, targeting young people who are at the forefront of the country’s digital finance revolution.
“Nigeria boasts one of the youngest and most digitally literate populations worldwide,” Felix observed. “They are eager and ambitious but require accurate, trustworthy information. That’s where we step in.”
The company also views the media as a crucial ally in this educational mission.
“Media outlets shape public perception,” Odia noted. “We want to collaborate with journalists and technology platforms like Technext to ensure the public receives factual and balanced insights into how crypto functions.”
A Commitment for the Long Haul
Odia emphasized that Blockchain.com’s presence in Nigeria is not a fleeting venture but a strategic, long-term investment.
“Many exchanges have come and gone,” she said. “Blockchain.com has endured for over ten years, weathering bull markets, downturns, and regulatory changes because we focus on sustainable growth.”
This durability is anchored in core principles: trust, dependability, education, and strict compliance. “We’re not chasing fads,” Odia affirmed. “Our mission is to build a lasting legacy.”
Looking ahead, the company plans to extend its model to Ghana, replicating its approach of local recruitment, early regulatory collaboration, and community-centered education. For now, Lagos remains the central hub of its African operations.
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