Trading in Cryptocurrencies is not backed by the @cenbank (CBN) Act which recognizes the naira as the only legal tender in the Nigerian financial system, an analyst has said.
The CBN had on Friday, directed Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Other Financial Institutions (OFIs) and Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs) local financial institutions to close accounts belonging to crypto currency operators.
But a member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) said on Saturday that @cenbank never prevented any individual from dealing in @BTCTN, adding that what the apex bank said was deposit money banks under its purview cannot partake in cryptocurrency because it will be illegal.
The MPC member, who spoke anonymously, explained that crypto trading would undermine monetary policy which is anchored on Naira money supply and demand.
Read Also: CBN’s war on cryptocurrency
“CBN is also concerned that bitcoin valuation is excessively speculative, akin to betting, and it will not make sense to run a currency system based gambling,” he said.
Continuing he said: “Why people will come charging on CBN Gov Godwin Emiefele over banning banks from digital currencies is inexplicable. @BTCTN & other variants of digital currencies are not only unregulated the world over, but they are now used as weapons by cyber criminals.”
The MPC member said the last time cyber criminals hijacked the customer data base of one of Nigerian banks, they demanded ransoms in bitcoin before they released the database.
“And since bitcoin addresses are psedonymous, it is not possible to trace them.
The CBN cannot fold its arms and see cryptocurrency destroy the entire banking system with all the unsavoury consequences of banking crisis and bailouts. Turkey had also banned bitcoin because it was becoming a channel for money laundering on an unimaginable scale,” he said.
"So, IF ANY NIGERIAN WANTS TO DEAL IN DIGITAL CURRENCIES, BITCOIN, or WHATEVER, SUCH PERSON IS FREE TO DO SO, only that there is no platform for a cryptocurrency payment system.
Accordingly, SUCH A PERSON COULD AS WELL GO TO WHEREVER SUCH PLATFORM IS LEGALISED SINCE THE BITCOIN MARKET IS VIRTUAL 24/7" he said.
In a letter forwarded to all DMBs, OFIs & NBFIs, the @cenbank noted that “BREACHES OF THIS DIRECTIVE WILL ATTRACT SEVERE REGULATORY SANCTIONS.”
The circular signed by Director of Banking Supervision, Bello Hassan said:” The CBN circular of January 12, 2017 which cautioned DMBs, NBFIs & OFIs and members of the public on the risks associated with transactions in crypto currency refers”.
Further to other regulatory directive on the subject, the bank hereby wishes to remind regulated institutions that dealing in crypto currencies or facilitating payment from cryptocurrency exchanges is prohibited.
“Accordingly, or DMBs, OFIs, NBFIs, are advised to identify persons and /or entities transacting in or operating crypto currency exchanges within their system and ensure that such accounts are closed immediately.”
SOURCE: *ALAO ABIODUN*.
WRITTEN BY: 👍COLLINS NWEZE!🙏
How FBI Alerted Nigeria’s Central Bank to Scammers Using Cryptocurrencies to Defraud the West arise.tv/how-fbi-alerte…
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*THREE (3) DEAD* AFTER SNOW DISPUTE TURNS VIOLENT,
Police Say*
LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. (WBRE/WYOU) – The cleanup after a significant snowfall in Plains Township, Pennsylvania took a tragic and bizarre turn Monday when police say a shoveling dispute left three dead.
Officers responded to reports of a shooting around 9:30 a.m. Neighbors said they were just getting ready to shovel the snow when they heard arguing followed by about a dozen gunshots.
“It was around 9:30 and I heard people yelling and then I heard gunshots and I looked out my window and I saw a gunman and I called 911,” a witness who only identified herself as Michelle said.
When investigators arrived, they found three people dead.
I bring you good tidings (may be bad for you) @HURIWA_NIGERIA. I want to inform you that for the past eight years, the people of RAFI LOCAL GOVT, KAGARA, NIGER STATE have been batting with incessant attacks by bandits, cattle rustling
kidnapping for ransom and unprovoked arson.
These cases were duly reported to appropriate authorities.
What interest the good people of the area is that none of the #HumanRightsWatch either spoke for or sympathize with us, in any form or at any occasion.
Many villages and communities that were attacked fled to Kagara, the headquarters of the LGA as refugees. As a result of this bandits took over most of these villages & converted them as their places of abode with some few villagers who have connived them as informants and allies
"Boko Haram terrorists have a hard time understanding the jig is up. After losing hundreds of fighters in recent weeks, some Boko Haram commanders figured it was a good idea to attack an army base. The attack underscored the illusion of Boko Haram commanders.
Boko Haram insurgents attacked the base in their classic style. Dozens of fighters attacked from four points simultaneously, firing mortars and RPGs, hoping to overwhelm the defenders and overrun the base.
Ahmed Hassan, who tried to blow up a packed tube train at Parsons Green in West London, was jailed today to life imprisonment, with a recommendation that he serve a minimum of 34 yrs. In his sentencing remarks, *Mr Justice Haddon-Cave,* made the following pertinent &
_“Finally, Ahmed Hassan let me say this to you. You will have plenty of time to study the Quran in prison in the years to come. You should understand that the Quran is a book of peace; Islam is a religion of peace. The Quran & Islam forbid anything @IETMinna
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It leaves Itakpe back to Udjevwu at 2pm.
The train stops at different stations to drop off and pick passengers. They have stations at Agbarho, Abraka, Agbor, Agenebode, etc.
The cost from Udjevwu (Warri axis) is N2,200 to Itakpe.
There are taxis at the Itakpe Station to take you to Abuja at a cost of N1,500 to N2,000 maximum.
A very comfortable ride I must say. You'd feel you are in a Plane. Which means if you're prone to cold, you should have your Sweater with you as it operates on a central AC.