Key Highlights
- Nigeria said it will fine non-compliant crypto firms ₦10 million ($7K) under its new virtual asset tax guidelines.
- Crypto businesses must register with the NRS, verify customers with a TIN, and meet tax collection and reporting requirements.
- The new rules are part of Nigeria’s broader plan to strengthen oversight of the crypto industry through coordinated regulation.
Nigeria has introduced a new set of tax rules for the crypto industry, putting cryptocurrency exchanges and other virtual asset businesses under stricter tax requirements.
The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) released the new guidelines on Monday, explaining how virtual assets will be taxed under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025. Under the new framework, Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), including crypto exchanges and peer-to-peer (P2P) trading platforms, could face a ₦10 million ($7K) fine if they fail to follow the rules.
What the new tax guidelines require
The guidelines outline the compliance requirements for crypto businesses. Every VASP must register with the NRS before operating under the new tax system. They must also ensure that every customer has a valid Tax Identification Number (TIN) before activating an account.
In addition, operators are expected to collect taxes such as Value Added Tax (VAT), withholding tax, and stamp duties where they apply. They must send these taxes to the NRS within the required time, keep proper records of transactions, and submit tax returns as required by law.
How much could non-compliant firms pay?
According to the framework, a crypto exchange or P2P platform that fails to meet its tax obligations will pay a ₦10 million ($7k) penalty for the first month of non-compliance. If the company still does not comply, it will pay an extra ₦1 million ($700) for every additional month until the issue is fixed.
The NRS said the penalties are intended to improve tax compliance in Nigeria’s growing crypto market and ensure digital asset activities become part of the country’s tax system. It also noted that these penalties do not replace any other punishment that may apply under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act or other existing laws.
Individuals won’t be exempt either
The rules are not limited to crypto exchanges. Individuals and businesses involved in virtual asset transactions also have new responsibilities.
Anyone conducting virtual asset activities in Nigeria must register with the NRS and obtain a Tax Identification Number. Those who fail to register will face a ₦50,000 ($36.60) penalty for the first month of non-compliance and ₦25,000 ($18.39) for each additional month until they comply.
The guidelines also explain how different crypto activities will be taxed. They cover cryptocurrency trading, staking, mining, decentralized finance (DeFi) rewards, liquidity mining, airdrops, royalties, hard forks, stablecoins, wrapped digital assets, wallet-to-wallet transfers, and cross-border crypto payments.
The framework also guides how virtual assets should be valued when calculating taxes, giving both businesses and taxpayers a clearer idea of what is expected.
Tinubu’s crypto reforms continue to expand
The new guidelines follow President Bola Tinubu’s Executive Order on Virtual Assets Coordination, 2026, which took effect on July 17. The order created a new Virtual Asset Council to bring key government agencies together and improve the way the crypto industry is supervised.
Instead of different regulators working separately, the council is expected to improve cooperation and information sharing. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will lead the council, while the NRS and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will serve as vice chairs. Other members include the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The Executive Order also creates a Virtual Asset Office at the CBN to help coordinate applications, reports, and information between the participating agencies.
The latest tax framework also comes as the SEC continues expanding its oversight of the digital asset market. Last month, the commission admitted seven more companies into its Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme (ARIP), increasing the number of digital asset firms operating under its regulatory sandbox after Quidax and Busha joined the framework in 2024.
Also Read: CBN Starts Pilot Program to Watch Crypto Firms in Nigeria
