Blockchain.com Charges into Africa: Nigeria and Ghana First as Crypto Giants Eye the Continent

Another day, another frontier—this time, Africa’s crypto gold rush heats up as Blockchain.com plants its flag in Nigeria and Ghana. Forget Wall Street’s tired IPO circus; the real action’s in Lagos and Accra now.

Why Africa? Simple: explosive adoption rates, mobile-first economies, and governments that can’t decide if they want to regulate crypto or just pretend it doesn’t exist. Perfect conditions for a Wild West boom.

Banking the unbanked? Sure, fine. But let’s be real—this is about capturing the next billion users before the suits in pinstripes even finish their morning coffee. Africa’s not just crypto’s future; it’s the only market left where growth hasn’t been arbitraged to death by hedge funds.

Closing thought: If traditional finance had its way, we’d still be trading tulips. Good luck stopping this train.

Blockchain.com Expands into High-Usage, Underserved Crypto Markets

https://t.co/9Ied7k1SjP, a UK-based crypto exchange, is seeking to expand in African nations that have started to institute rules to regulate the industry https://t.co/Hf2S2F8J8N

Blockchain.com is intensifying its global expansion strategy by targeting regions where crypto adoption is driven by necessity rather than speculation.

Its recent moves into Nigeria and Ghana reflect this approach, as both countries exhibit strong grassroots demand for digital assets and are actively working toward formal regulatory frameworks.

In Nigeria, ranked second globally in Chainalysis’ crypto adoption index, users rely heavily on digital assets for remittances, savings, and business transactions amid ongoing inflation and currency instability.

Blockchain.com plans to open offices and hire local teams to ensure alignment with compliance requirements as the country advances toward structured crypto oversight.

Ghana is also on Blockchain.com’s radar, with the government preparing to introduce the VIRTUAL Asset Providers Bill.

This legislation WOULD give the central bank authority to regulate crypto exchanges and wallet providers, and is expected to pass by September 2025. The bill would create Ghana’s first legal foundation for overseeing virtual asset activity, making it a prime candidate for early entry by major crypto firms.

Further south, South Africa is emerging as a key regional hub for digital assets. With a strong legal infrastructure and a business-friendly environment, the country has attracted both domestic and international crypto players.

South Africa’s Regulator Approves 59 Crypto Licences: Report

South Africa’s regulator Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has approved 59 operating licenses for cryptocurrency exchanges.#CryptoNews #newshttps://t.co/oWl9pKIYc4

By March 2024, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) had approved 59 crypto platform licenses, with over 260 additional applications still under review.

CEO Peter Smith has noted the strength of grassroots adoption across Africa, where per-capita crypto usage often exceeds that of many Western countries.

Africa’s Growing Role in Global Crypto Flows

Blockchain.com’s expansion into Africa highlights a growing industry shift toward emerging markets. Other exchanges, including Yellow Card Financial, are following suit, applying for permits in Nigeria as the regulatory landscape becomes clearer.

Nigeria’s SEC is preparing to take action against individuals and crypto exchanges that do not comply with its regulatory framework.https://t.co/gLgYdsiVbm

Countries like Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa are increasingly featured in global blockchain and fintech reports, owing to rapid user growth, mobile-first populations, and a financial infrastructure gap left by traditional banks.

According to World Bank data from 2021, only 49% of Sub-Saharan Africans held a bank account. This widespread underbanking, combined with high mobile phone penetration, has created an ideal environment for the adoption of decentralized finance and stablecoins.

As global platforms enter the market, strong local activity continues to thrive. Africa-based crypto companies such as Yellow Card and Busha have secured venture capital and are scaling their services to meet rising demand.

The African crypto market is projected to generate over $2.9 billion in revenue by 2025. This momentum is fueled by the continent’s young, tech-savvy population, increasing smartphone access, and a pressing need for alternative financial tools in the face of currency instability.