The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has identified four critical priorities for Nigeria as the country seeks to harness the growing use of dollar-pegged stablecoins for cross-border payments while safeguarding monetary stability and financial integrity.
In a new Country Focus note released as part of Nigeria’s 2026 Article IV consultation, the IMF said stablecoins have emerged as a practical solution to longstanding inefficiencies in remittance and international payment systems, offering faster and cheaper transactions than traditional channels.
The report was authored by IMF Mission Chief for Nigeria, Axel Schimmelpfennig, and Bo Zhao.
The Fund noted that stablecoins have gained significant traction in Nigeria, driven by the need for affordable cross-border transfers, access to dollar-denominated assets, and protection against currency volatility. However, it warned that their rapid adoption also presents risks, including digital dollarisation and challenges in monitoring illicit financial flows.
To address these concerns, the IMF urged Nigerian authorities to sustain macroeconomic reforms aimed at strengthening confidence in the naira and preserving monetary stability. According to the report, maintaining a credible domestic currency remains the most effective defence against excessive reliance on foreign-currency-backed digital assets.
The Fund also called for stronger regulatory oversight, recommending that Nigeria establish clear rules for stablecoin issuers and align its regulatory framework with emerging international standards while adapting them to local realities.
In addition, the IMF stressed the need for improved data collection and monitoring through the integration of blockchain analytics and reporting mechanisms covering naira-to-stablecoin transactions. Such measures, it said, would enable regulators to identify emerging risks and respond more effectively.
The fourth recommendation focuses on upgrading payment infrastructure to support faster, cheaper and more interoperable cross-border transactions, thereby reducing dependence on informal and less-regulated payment channels.
Nigeria has become one of the world’s leading markets for crypto assets and stablecoins. According to the IMF, the country received about $59 billion in crypto-asset inflows between July 2023 and June 2024. Nigeria ranked second globally in the 2024 Chainalysis Global Crypto Adoption Index and sixth in the 2025 edition, accounting for roughly 60 per cent of sub-Saharan Africa’s stablecoin inflows since 2019.
The report attributed the growth to several factors, including smartphone-based instant settlements, lower transaction costs, high inflation, naira depreciation and foreign exchange restrictions experienced between 2023 and 2024. Stablecoins are increasingly being used for remittances, international supplier payments and as a store of value against local currency fluctuations.
The IMF acknowledged that wider stablecoin adoption could enhance financial inclusion, support trade and improve remittance flows. Nevertheless, it cautioned that extensive use of U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoins could weaken demand for the naira and reduce the effectiveness of domestic monetary policy.
It also highlighted concerns over financial integrity, noting that the migration of funds from regulated banking channels to digital wallets and exchanges could create gaps in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing oversight.
The Fund concluded that stablecoins are likely to remain a permanent feature of the financial landscape, serving as a complement rather than a replacement for traditional financial systems. It urged Nigerian policymakers to balance innovation with effective regulation, arguing that the country’s long-term success will depend on maintaining confidence in the naira while building a robust supervisory framework capable of managing emerging digital financial risks.
tribuneonlineng.com
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