The IMF has spoken. Can Nigeria regulate stablecoins without killing them?, By Shuaib S Agaka

The IMF has recommended that Nigeria bring stablecoins under formal regulatory oversight, recognizing that digital assets have become significant enough to affect financial stability and monetary policy. Nigeria’s crypto market is one of the world’s largest, with Chainalysis recording $95.5 billion in transaction volume between 2020 and 2026.

For many Nigerians, stablecoins have moved beyond speculation. Freelancers receive salaries in them, entrepreneurs pay foreign suppliers, and young professionals keep savings in USDT to hedge against naira depreciation and inflation. As writer Shuaib S Agaka notes: "The greater challenge is creating a framework that protects users without stifling innovation." Nigeria is no longer deciding whether stablecoins matter , millions of users have already answered that question.