Use of Bitcoin in Nigeria, proceed with caution

[obuoma]

I was trying to access some Bitcoin related websites today for some information about Bitcoin but I was surprised to know that all the IP address of the exchanges including websites like blockchain.com are blocked meaning you can only access them through VPN. Then it struct me that such action by the government of Nigeria is a clear message that they do not permit the use of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in the country even though there have not been clearly written directives enforcing this. Now why am I making this post?

First to warn us that we should be discrete with our Bitcoin transactions so that we will not be seen as using or having Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in general. If they notice this, it can lead to freezing of accounts and possibly arrest when they so decide.

Secondly, to encourage us to take privacy seriously to protect our activities as it relates to cryptocurrency. This include what you post on social media which can expose you as Bitcoin and crypto user as a Nigeria.

Finally, to employ self custody which is the right way to go about Bitcoin. Many people seems to have ignored the importance of self custody, so this is a reminder too.

[Sticky Bomb]

I was trying to access some Bitcoin related websites today for some information about Bitcoin but I was surprised to know that all the IP address of the exchanges including websites like blockchain.com are blocked meaning you can only access them through VPN.

This is not true, I accessed https://www.blockchain.com/ now without VPN, so it is still very much accessible to Nigerians, even https://www.binance.com/en which was at a time inaccessible through my mobile device and I thought it was restricted, I could access it just before dropping this post. Check your network or maybe use a PC,_{Since I am using one to access them right now}

Then it struct me that such action by the government of Nigeria is a clear message that they do not permit the use of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in the country even though there have not been clearly written directives enforcing this.

No again, Bitcoin is not banned in nigeria, although traditional banks aren't yet allowed to transact directly with it as directed by CBN.

First to warn us that we should be discrete with our Bitcoin transactions so that we will not be seen as using or having Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in general. If they notice this, it can lead to freezing of accounts and possibly arrest when they so decide.

This is why P2P is the best, you get to sell your bitcoin without them knowing the purpose of the money, provided that there is no indication of crypto in the remarks. Again if you use non-custodial wallet for your transactions, The government would never know about your crypto balance, unless you meddle with a KYC  exchange that shares data with the government.

[SatoPrincess]

Abeg which bitcoin related website you try open way no work without VPN. Was it cointelegraph or coingecko? Make una dey verify information before una post because misinformation dey dangerous pass no information at all. Again, bitcoin no dey banned for Nigeria. Government still dey dance skelewu on the subject but one thing I go advise na say make you keep your p2p transactions discreet as much as possible (most people already know not to add any crypto related words on their fiat transaction).

[Cryptoprincess101]

There are no restrictions or ban of cryptocurrency in Nigeria, everyone is free to use cryptocurrency without fear of being questioned by any government authority so far as you did not get involved in any financial crime, nobody will interrogate you for no just reason. The reason why many people are afraid of doing crypto transactions openly is just because they lack the knowledge of the law and most people do not have lawyers to intercede for them when there is an issue.
      Let it be known to you, the government knows about the crypto transactions in the country so whether you include cryptocurrency in your description when performing a p2p transaction or not, they are aware. As long as people do KYC on exchanges, your information can be leaked to the government otherwise that exchange can risk being banned by the government as they did to Binance and Kucoin. Remember that there was a time the Nigerian government demanded for the data of Nigerians who are using Binance for crypto transactions and they refused to give them the information which was also part of the reason why the government banned p2p transactions on their platform till date.
     Cryptocurrency portrays privacy and decentralization so i don't know why someone will choose to come to social media to discuss about their crypto transaction because even if you don't get suspected by the government, but you can risk being harmed by criminals.

[Floczy]

Abeg which bitcoin related website you try open way no work without VPN. Was it cointelegraph or coingecko? Make una dey verify information before una post because misinformation dey dangerous pass no information at all. Again, bitcoin no dey banned for Nigeria.

Bitcoin is not banned in Nigeria but you cant access Top Tier Crypto Exchanges website without the use of VPN. OP is not referring to mobile app. Yes, all the  mobile app can be accessible but the website is down. I expect you to know this by now.

[Dr.Bitcoin_Strange]

First to warn us that we should be discrete with our Bitcoin transactions so that we will not be seen as using or having Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in general. If they notice this, it can lead to freezing of accounts and possibly arrest when they so decide.

In some states and cities in Nigeria, you can see some shops that are doing Bitcoin p2p exchange, you can even see some big banner ads on the road displaying Bitcoin or some of the scam coins of a few celebrity, you can see some shops that accepts Bitcoin for payment, nothing is being done to them and that's because there's no specific ban stating that citizens are forbidden from using Bitcoin.
There's even a Nigerian guy they said he has many Bitcoin, I think he is popularly knows as BLord, he is still doing his Bitcoin investment and talks about it, has his account been frozen?

[Bright0515]

I was trying to access some Bitcoin related websites today for some information about Bitcoin but I was surprised to know that all the IP address of the exchanges including websites like blockchain.com are blocked meaning you can only access them through VPN. Then it struct me that such action by the government of Nigeria is a clear message that they do not permit the use of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in the country even though there have not been clearly written directives enforcing this. Now why am I making this post?

First to warn us that we should be discrete with our Bitcoin transactions so that we will not be seen as using or having Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in general. If they notice this, it can lead to freezing of accounts and possibly arrest when they so decide.

Secondly, to encourage us to take privacy seriously to protect our activities as it relates to cryptocurrency. This include what you post on social media which can expose you as Bitcoin and crypto user as a Nigeria.

Finally, to employ self custody which is the right way to go about Bitcoin. Many people seems to have ignored the importance of self custody, so this is a reminder too.

I don't know how true this your post might be but I for like make you just share some of the crypto related websites way you try to access but them no allow you do that we go know if na the main websites or no be em. Even though say our government never come talk officially say Bitcoin dey legal to use for Nigeria, no really mean say them they against am. Them just never give full attentions to crypto currency as them they do other unnecessary things for the country. Make we no even talk reach that side sef because that one no be the main problem we get for Nigeria currently.

Banks never dey allow crypto currency transactions no mean say them dey against am 100% na because if suspicious transactions them dey receive just make them no allow crypto currency transactions. But later on I hope them allow am.
Even now saf, some places they accept crypto currency payments from customers if they won pay for service/goods.

[justinlamode]

Abeg which bitcoin related website you try open way no work without VPN. Was it cointelegraph or coingecko? Make una dey verify information before una post because misinformation dey dangerous pass no information at all. Again, bitcoin no dey banned for Nigeria. Government still dey dance skelewu on the subject but one thing I go advise na say make you keep your p2p transactions discreet as much as possible (most people already know not to add any crypto related words on their fiat transaction).

That time government been dey get issues witb exchanges like Binacnce, accessing exchanges through their websites been dey worry sha, I don know about now because all of us don dey use app dey access them. Maybe na wetin the OP dey try talk. Even for that time, CMC and Coingecko been dey open, e no affect them but no be everything dey open sha. Tomorrow I go check if exchanges dey open for normal browser sha... I no fit run am now.

[Supreme Donvic]

Obuoma there's something I want you to understand when it comes to cryptocurrency in Nigeria and it's law, there’s currently no law in Nigeria that criminalizes owning or trading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency, so you can trade or invest in cryptocurrency without having issues with government and they can't hold you for commiting a crime or going against any law, however the Central Bank of Nigeria does not recognize cryptocurrencies as legal tender and that those not make it a crime to trade or invest in cryptocurrency, and yes the Central Bank of Nigeria also directed Banks not to accept or trade cryptocurrency with citizens but that still those not make cryptocurrency illegal or a crime in Nigeria.
Where there's no law there's no crime.

[SatoPrincess]

Abeg which bitcoin related website you try open way no work without VPN. Was it cointelegraph or coingecko? Make una dey verify information before una post because misinformation dey dangerous pass no information at all. Again, bitcoin no dey banned for Nigeria.

Bitcoin is not banned in Nigeria but you cant access Top Tier Crypto Exchanges website without the use of VPN. OP is not referring to mobile app. Yes, all the  mobile app can be accessible but the website is down. I expect you to know this by now.

I don’t know everything, that’s why I’m asking. Which one is top tier cryptocurrency apps? List them let us know the ones you’re talking about.

[Hewlet]

Secondly, to encourage us to take privacy seriously to protect our activities as it relates to cryptocurrency. This include what you post on social media which can expose you as Bitcoin and crypto user as a Nigeria.

are you sure you are a frequent user of the internet in this part of the world? there are at least thousands of Nigerians that openly blog on crypto, create there business around it and have physical location where crypto is being thought and yet the government is not doing anything about it. even without trying out the site you have mentioned, i already know that it is not true that they have restricted Nigerian from accessing a site like blockchain. most of the sites that Nigerians can not access without the use of VPN are so because some fraudulent people have made it so. and for that, it is not just crypto related site. most freelance site do not allow Nigerians access to it and the reason for that is mostly because of prior scam experience they have hard in the past.

[Emjay24]

Abeg which bitcoin related website you try open way no work without VPN. Was it cointelegraph or coingecko? Make una dey verify information before una post because misinformation dey dangerous pass no information at all. Again, bitcoin no dey banned for Nigeria.

Bitcoin is not banned in Nigeria but you cant access Top Tier Crypto Exchanges website without the use of VPN. OP is not referring to mobile app. Yes, all the  mobile app can be accessible but the website is down. I expect you to know this by now.

Before you also reply, try to verify that what you're saying is correct

I was trying to access some Bitcoin related websites today for some information about Bitcoin but I was surprised to know that all the IP address of the exchanges including websites like blockchain.com are blocked meaning you can only access them through VPN.

This is not true, I accessed https://www.blockchain.com/ now without VPN, so it is still very much accessible to Nigerians, even https://www.binance.com/en which was at a time inaccessible through my mobile device and I thought it was restricted, I could access it just before dropping this post. Check your network or maybe use a PC,_{Since I am using one to access them right now}

I just confirmed that these sites are still up as indicated by this user using my PC as he mentioned, I also accessed coingecko too and their sites are still much accessible without VPN. They are not down. You're a newbie so I would expect you to try confirming before you correct someone. Use a PC and confirm these sites before concluding that they are down.

[Itz-prisigold]

Yeah, I guess some of what this OP said is true, but not all of it. Some of the larger exchange sites, such as Binance, Coinbase and Kraken, have been blocked in Nigeria before. Many people have been using VPN to access them. However,  it is not like every Bitcoin or crypto site is blocked, and it does not mean people can not access Bitcoin and that does not mean Bitcoin is banned in Nigeria.

Nigeria is once again doing that confusing thing they always do. One minute they are making laws for crypto, and the next minute they are blocking few sites due to the FX issue. So yeah,  it’s messy.

Yeah I agree with him on privacy and self-custody though. Those are just common sense things every bitcoin user should be doing anyway. But we should not overhype it like the police are coming for anyone who visits blockchain.com, we have not gotten any solid evidence of that.  They are trying to control the Naira, not go after average Bitcoin users.

[Mpamaegbu]

Then it struct me that such action by the government of Nigeria is a clear message that they do not permit the use of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in the country even though there have not been clearly written directives enforcing this. Now why am I making this post?

I neva see any political leadership wey dey as confused as dis APC govment, honestly. Today dem go talk A, tomorrow dem go change am to B. Dat's why I don talk am sey even if CBN release article tomorrow sey cryptocurrencies dey welcome for dis kontry so, I go be d last persin to loose guard and trust dem. Neva.

Secondly, to encourage us to take privacy seriously to protect our activities as it relates to cryptocurrency. This include what you post on social media which can expose you as Bitcoin and crypto user as a Nigeria.

People wey still dey do dis wan, I neva know how dem mind dey take rest. There's too much risk for Naija now to dey even expose persin identity and privacy. Make we dey guarded.

[adultcrypto]

I just confirmed that these sites are still up as indicated by this user using my PC as he mentioned, I also accessed coingecko too and their sites are still much accessible without VPN. They are not down. You're a newbie so I would expect you to try confirming before you correct someone. Use a PC and confirm these sites before concluding that they are down.

You can open Kucoin and Binance in your browser and do transaction without receiving error message? As OP drop this post, out of curiosity I decided to verify and see what I'm seeing for Kucoin and Binance and I no fit shout. I no bother check other exchanges because na Binance and Kucoin be the biggest for Nigeria that time before them attack them.





What made me laugh is the "Hmmmmm" which sound like Wike voice for my ear. Omo e be like them don dey play partial for this our country wey be say them go allow some people and not allow some people. Abi e get wetin una dey do wey una no dey tell us, make una share update o.

[osasshem]

As per the website blockchain.com did open at the first time, and I tried checking it, at first time it opened, but now it doesn't open again

First to warn us that we should be discrete with our Bitcoin transactions so that we will not be seen as using or having Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in general. If they notice this, it can lead to freezing of accounts and possibly arrest when they so decide.

This has to do with p2p exchange between buyers and sellers, and almost all Nigerian adds placed on p2p will strictly say it in their terms of service, do not attach or write anything related to Bitcoin, altcoins or anything related to crypto currency. Knowing and adhering to this will help the identity of their transactions.

Secondly, to encourage us to take privacy seriously to protect our activities as it relates to cryptocurrency. This include what you post on social media which can expose you as Bitcoin and crypto user as a Nigeria.

Finally, to employ self custody which is the right way to go about Bitcoin. Many people seems to have ignored the importance of self custody, so this is a reminder too.

Knowing well that the country's leadership system is porous, making an alternative to Bitcoin is the way out for survival, and because of this, any transaction that has the slightest relation to Bitcoin or related crypto assets becomes a victim to the government. So, the safety of everyone in this crypto is to take to heart and

[obuoma]

There are no restrictions or ban of cryptocurrency in Nigeria, everyone is free to use cryptocurrency without fear of being questioned by any government authority so far as you did not get involved in any financial crime, nobody will interrogate you for no just reason. The reason why many people are afraid of doing crypto transactions openly is just because they lack the knowledge of the law and most people do not have lawyers to intercede for them when there is an issue.

This post did not say there is a ban, the post drew reference to exchanges like Binance, Kucoin and others not opening on browser as a sign that their IP were blocked which means our government have not given up on their action against exchanges and cryptocurrency. There was a time people's accounts were frozen for simply indicating Bitcoin or anything relating to cryptocurrency in their transaction, even Opay was also under fire one time for supporting transaction in cryptocurrency. If you are so confident about free use of cryptocurrency, always add Bitcoin in the description of your p2p transaction lets watch you for 6 months. Just be careful and don't operate as if Bitcoin is legalized in Nigeria because there is no such thing.

[Agbamoni]

most of the sites that Nigerians can not access without the use of VPN are so because some fraudulent people have made it so. and for that, it is not just crypto related site. most freelance site do not allow Nigerians access to it and the reason for that is mostly because of prior scam experience they have hard in the past.

Fraud is one reason, but it is not the main reason. At that time, the sites were restricted, and P2P was stopped on popular exchanges like Binance it was as a result of regulation. The government wants to regulate by making those exchanges comply with its rules of operation in Nigeria. Ever since then, some exchanges have complied and can now carry out P2P operations, but the sites have been inaccessible to date.

[hmbdofficial]

I was trying to access some Bitcoin related websites today for some information about Bitcoin but I was surprised to know that all the IP address of the exchanges including websites like blockchain.com are blocked meaning you can only access them through VPN. Then it struct me that such action by the government of Nigeria is a clear message that they do not permit the use of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in the country even though there have not been clearly written directives enforcing this. Now why am I making this post?

I don’t think this your claim is true because blockchain can still be accessed from Nigeria and i believe it this dey structure under which bitcoin works.

Even though Nigeria been don ban the use of crypto currency before them don lift the ban i see no reason why they always say we should avoid the use crypto narrations on our p2p transactions.

But still about it o to avoid frozen account this our country no well normal normal.

[Karl_3000]

I don’t think this your claim is true because blockchain can still be accessed from Nigeria and i believe it this dey structure under which bitcoin works.

This is not true, I have just tried blockchain.com on my browser using MTN as the ISPN, it is not working. I also tried Binance and few other exchanges and they are not all working.

But this does not mean that Nigeria regulations does not allow cryptocurrencies. You can access the exchange sites through the use of their mobile app.