Business
JUST IN: CBN Lifts Ban On Cryptocurrency Transactions

The Central Bank of Nigeria has changed its stance on crypto assets in the country and asked banks to disregard its earlier ban on crypto transactions.
This is according to a circular dated December 22, 2023, with reference number FPR/DIR/PUB/CIR/002/003, and signed by the apex bank’s Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Haruna Mustafa.
The circular is titled ‘Circular to all Banks and other Financial Institutions Guidelines on Operations of Bank Accounts for Virtual Assets Service Providers (VASPS).’
The apex bank stated that current trends globally have shown the need for crypto regulation.
READ ALSO: How Emefiele Spent N1.7bn Defending Naira Redesign In Court – CBN Investigator
It said, “The CBN, in February 2021 issued a circular restricting banks and other financial institutions from operating accounts for cryptocurrency service providers in view of the money laundering and terrorism financing (ML/TF) risks and vulnerabilities inherent in their operations as well as the absence of regulations and consumer protection measures.
“However, current trends globally have shown that there is a need to regulate the activities of virtual assets service providers (VASPs) which include cryptocurrencies and crypto assets. Following this development, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2018 also updated its Recommendation 15 to require VASPS to be regulated to prevent misuse of virtual assets for ML/TF/PF.
“Furthermore, Section 30 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 recognises VASPs as part of the definition of a financial institution.
“In addition, the Securities and Exchange Commission in May 2022 issued Rules on Issuance, Offering and Custody of Digital Assets and VASPs to provide a regulatory framework for their operations in Nigeria.
READ ALSO: (FULL LIST) From Fenton To Cardoso: CBN Govs Since 1958
“In view of the foregoing, the CBN hereby issues this guideline to provide guidance to financial institutions under its regulatory purview in respect of their banking relationship with VASPs in Nigeria. “
The apex bank noted that this new guideline supersedes its old ones referenced FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/06/010 of January 12, 2017, and BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/014/001 of February 5, 2021 on the subject.
It also affirmed that banks and other financial institutions are still prohibited from holding, trading and/or transacting in virtual currencies on their own account.
It added all banks and other financial institutions are required to immediately comply with its new guideline.
In its circular with reference number BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/014/001, dated February 5, 2021, the apex bank reminded banks that dealing in crypto currencies or facilitating payments for cryptocurrency exchanges was prohibited.
At the time, it asked banks to identify persons or entities transacting in or operating crypto currency exchanges within their systems and ensure that their accounts were closed.
Business
JUST IN: CBN Removes Cash Deposit Limits, Raises Weekly Withdrawal To N500,000

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has removed cash deposit limits and also increased the weekly cash withdrawal limit from N100,000 to N500,000.
The CBN made this known in a circular to all banks and other financial institutions, signed by Dr Rita Sike, Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department.
Sike said that the revisions formed part of ongoing efforts to moderate the rising cost of cash management and address security concerns.
According to her, it will also curb money laundering risks associated with heavy reliance on cash.
She said that the cash-related policies previously issued in response to evolving circumstances were aimed at reducing cash usage and promoting the adoption of electronic payment channels.
READ ALSO:CBN Directs Nigerian Banks To Withdraw Misleading Advertisement
“However, with time, the need to streamline and update these provisions to reflect present-day realities became necessary,” she said.
She said that with effect from Jan. 1, 2026, the cumulative deposit limit would be removed and the fee previously charged on excess deposits would no longer apply.
The director said that the cumulative weekly withdrawal limit across all channels has been reviewed to N500,000 for individuals and five million Naira for corporates.
READ ALSO:CBN Issues Directive Clarifying Holding Companies’ Minimum Capital
“Withdrawals above these thresholds will attract excess withdrawal charges as specified,” she said. “The special monthly authorisation that allowed individuals to withdraw five million Naira and corporates N10 million once a month has been abolished.”
She said that for Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), daily withdrawal remains capped at N100,000 per customer, with a maximum of N500,000 weekly.
She said that this formed part of the overall weekly withdrawal limit applicable to all channels, including point-of-sale (POS) transactions.
Sike said that excess withdrawals above the stipulated limits would attract three per cent for individuals and five per cent for corporate customers.
READ ALSO:Court Convicts Two National Assembly Staff Over CBN, FIRS Job Scam
According to her, this will be shared in the ratio of 40 per cent to the CBN and 60 per cent to the operating bank or financial institution.
She directed banks to load all currency denominations in ATMs, while the existing limit on over-the-counter encashment of third-party cheques remains pegged at N100,000.
Sike said that such withdrawals would be counted as part of the cumulative weekly limit.
The director said that banks were also required to render monthly returns to the relevant supervisory departments.
READ ALSO:CBN Sets POS Maximum Transactions In Fresh Guidelines
She listed the departments to include the Banking Supervision Department, Other Financial Institutions Supervision Department, and the Payments System Supervision Department.
Sike said that revenue-generating accounts of federal, state, and local governments were exempted from the new withdrawal rules.
She said that accounts of microfinance banks and primary mortgage banks held with commercial and non-interest banks are also exempted from the new rules.
She, however, said that the long-standing exemption previously enjoyed by embassies, diplomatic missions, and aid-donor agencies had been removed.
Business
Naira Records Depreciation Against US Dollar Across Official, Black Markets

The naira depreciated against the dollar at the official and parallel foreign exchange markets on Monday to begin the new month on a bearish note.
Central Bank of Nigeria’s data showed that the Naira weakened to N1,448.44 on Monday, down from N1,446.74 traded on Friday last week.
READ ALSO:Naira Records First Depreciation Against US Dollar Across Official, Black FX Markets
This means that the naira dropped by N1.7 against the dollar on Monday when compared to Friday.
Similarly, at the black market, the Naira declined by N5 to N1,475 on Monday from N1,470 at the close of work last week.
The development comes as Nigeria’s foreign reserves stood at $44.61 billion as of November 27th, 2025.
Business
NNPCL Revenue, Profit Soar To N5.08tn, N447bn In October

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has announced a significant revenue increase to N5.078 trillion for October 2025.
The state-owned firm disclosed this in its monthly financial report released on Saturday.
According to the financial report, from N5.078 revenue in October, the company posted a N447 profit after tax.
READ ALSO:N5bn Damage: NNPCL Secures Appeal Court Victory Against Ararume
The figure represents a significant 19.2 percent increase in revenue from N4.26 trillion and a 106 percent rise in PAT from N216 billion in September 2025.
The report stated that from January to September, NNPCL paid N11.150 trillion in statutory payments to the federation.
Four days ago, NNPCL posted a total of N45.1 trillion as total revenue for the 2024 financial year.
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