Nigeria“One of the pioneering firms in web3 solutions, digital assets and tokenization, recognized for its innovation and solid reputation across Spain and Latin America.”
Jorge CorredorLawyer, Rincón Cuéllar & Asociados
Asset tokenization in Nigeria
We build the platform to tokenize debt, shares and revenue rights in Nigeria: investor onboarding, ERC-3643 tokens and a holder register reconciled with the issuer's, coordinated with the law firm that structures the issuance under the Investments and Securities Act 2025.
Tokenize your asset
They trust Metlabs to tokenize their assets
Why Nigeria
Why tokenize assets in Nigeria?
Since the ISA 2025, virtual and digital assets have been part of the legal definition of securities, and the SEC supervises them by function: issuance, offering platform, custody and trading. In 2026 it added a dedicated category, RATOP, for platforms that tokenize and offer assets. The starting point is which right to issue and who performs each regulated function.
2025
year of the ISA, which includes virtual and digital assets in the definition of securities
SEC Nigeria · ISA 2025₦1B
minimum capital for a RATOP, the SEC category for platforms that tokenize and offer assets
SEC Nigeria · Mar 18, 2026₦2B
minimum capital for a digital asset custodian, the same as for an exchange
SEC Nigeria · Mar 18, 2026What gets tokenized
Debt, equity and revenue: what gets tokenized in Nigeria
Almost every tokenized issuance represents one of these three rights against the issuer. The right determines the type of company, the applicable law and who keeps the register, and it is settled before the network or the token standard.
| Right | Debt | Equity | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is issued | Debentures and bonds | Shares | Revenue rights |
| The investor receives | The investor lends to the issuer and receives interest and, at maturity, the principal. | The investor joins the share capital: dividends, voting rights and a share of any sale or liquidation. | The investor receives a share of the income from an asset: rents, energy sold, sales or royalties. |
| The token enforces |
|
|
|
| Issuer | Plc for a public offer | Plc; a Ltd, privately only | Plc, or Ltd with no public offer |
| Register | Register of debenture holders | Register of members (s. 109) | Issuer's register |
| Law | CAMA 2020 and ISA 2025 | CAMA 2020 and ISA 2025 | ISA 2025 |
| How it is issued | Any company can issue debentures, but only a Plc can offer them to the public, with the securities registered with the SEC and, before issuance, a trust deed executed by the debenture holders' trustee. There is no DLT securities regime: the company's register of debenture holders governs. | A Ltd cannot invite the public to subscribe for its shares and may have no more than 50 members, excluding employees, so an open equity token requires a Plc. A token representing a share is a security and is registered with the SEC before it is offered to the public. | The ISA 2025 includes investment contracts and digital assets in the definition of securities, so a revenue token is treated as a security in principle: an SEC assessment, registration and one of the offer routes in the Act. Its tax classification is reviewed separately. |
Regulation
Regulation guide for NigeriaWhich regulation applies to tokenization in Nigeria?
Securities law. The ISA 2025 includes virtual and digital assets and investment contracts in the definition of securities, and the SEC supervises issuance, offering platforms, custody and trading separately. Only a public company whose securities are registered with the SEC can invite the public to invest.
The SEC's digital asset rules of May 2022 require the promoter to file an initial assessment with a white paper and a legal opinion on whether the token is a security; if it is, the issuance is registered. The capital guidelines of March 2026 set a minimum for each function, and the ARIP program grants conditional access that the SEC itself distinguishes from a final license.
Since December 2023 the CBN has allowed banks to serve virtual asset providers, but not to deal in those assets for their own account, and the tax classification must be reconciled with the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025. We coordinate the design with the law firm that structures the issuance, and SEC-registered operators deliver the regulated services.
Nigeria
NeutralScore54
- Authorities
- Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); NFIU; Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS)
- Latest regulatory change
- Aug 2026
Key authorisations
- SEC registration by digital-asset function
- Conditional ARIP approval, distinct from final licensing
- CBN sandbox admission within the approved testing scope
Our legal partners
Methodology
How we tokenize an asset in Nigeria, step by step
The four phases of our methodology, with the parties involved in Nigeria. The law firm and our engineering team work in parallel from the asset review to investor acquisition.
We review the asset's title, encumbrances and cash flows, and decide with the issuer whether the token will be debt, shares or a revenue right. That sets the vehicle, a Plc or a Ltd, the amount and the rules of the issuance.
The law firm prepares the initial assessment for the SEC with the white paper and its opinion on whether the token is a security, the registration of the issuance and the prospectus. It also identifies which registered offering platform and custodian will be involved.
We configure the white label platform with your brand: investor onboarding with KYC, signature, payment and ERC-3643 tokens carrying the offer's rules. Reconciliation with the register of members or debenture holders and the custodian connection are custom development.
With the issuer and the registered operator placing the issuance, we prepare the offer page and measure the journey to a paid subscription. After the issuance, the platform handles distributions, transfers between verified investors and reporting.
Milestones
Tokenization milestones in Nigeria
The dates that have gradually opened a regulated route for digital assets in Nigeria, taken from our regulation guide. Each milestone links to its source.
See the full timelineProvider banking framework
CBN regulates VASP banking relationships while retaining restrictions on banks trading for their own account.
CBN circular of 22 December 2023ISA 2025 takes effect
The Act incorporates digital assets and providers into the market framework.
Investments and Securities Act 2025Revised capital guidelines
SEC details function-specific amounts and transitional arrangements.
SEC guidelines of 18 March 2026Further conditional ARIP admissions
The notice signed on 12 August and published on 13 August distinguishes approval in principle from final licensing.
ARIP notice signed on 12 August
Reviews in Nigeria
What do our clients think of Metlabs?
“We structured the tokenization of real estate projects with them, and I value the team's ability to understand our corporate needs and genuinely solve them.”
Joan MejíaManager, GLOBYNE
“They advised us on the feasibility of tokenizing real estate assets in Uruguay with direct, cordial treatment. A professional team, responsive and always available.”
Álvaro Silva SantamaríaCEO, Sp Inmuebles
“Great professionals at structuring tokenized projects, with technical command and attention to detail that inspire full confidence at every stage of the work.”
Francisco BetancourtVerified Google review
“As a blockchain lawyer, I value their experience and professionalism in consulting and executing tokenization projects. Technology partners you can fully trust.”
Vanessa RivasBlockchain lawyer, El Salvador
“Great professionals, very attentive to their clients and always mindful of every detail. Working with their team has been a genuine pleasure from start to finish.”
CriptorentVerified Google review
“A very professional yet approachable company that empathizes with your doubts and needs. Highly recommended for entrepreneurs with a tokenization project.”
Javier EspasaTokenization entrepreneur
“Exceptional in every sense. From legal support I value their rigor and transparency: working with Metlabs means professionalism, innovation and security.”
Pedro A. Agúndez MéndezGoogle Local Guide
“Excellent service across blockchain development, asset tokenization and consulting. A very professional team that I recommend wholeheartedly, without reservation.”
José Luis DíazVerified Google review
“I have worked with them on several projects and they are very professional. A guarantee that everything turns out perfectly. Without a doubt, 100% recommended.”
Ignacio Fernández JiménezVerified Google review
“One of the pioneering firms in web3 solutions, digital assets and tokenization, recognized for its innovation and solid reputation across Spain and Latin America.”
Jorge CorredorLawyer, Rincón Cuéllar & Asociados
“Great professionals at structuring tokenized projects, with technical command and attention to detail that inspire full confidence at every stage of the work.”
Francisco BetancourtVerified Google review
“A very professional yet approachable company that empathizes with your doubts and needs. Highly recommended for entrepreneurs with a tokenization project.”
Javier EspasaTokenization entrepreneur
“I have worked with them on several projects and they are very professional. A guarantee that everything turns out perfectly. Without a doubt, 100% recommended.”
Ignacio Fernández JiménezVerified Google review
“We structured the tokenization of real estate projects with them, and I value the team's ability to understand our corporate needs and genuinely solve them.”
Joan MejíaManager, GLOBYNE
“As a blockchain lawyer, I value their experience and professionalism in consulting and executing tokenization projects. Technology partners you can fully trust.”
Vanessa RivasBlockchain lawyer, El Salvador
“Exceptional in every sense. From legal support I value their rigor and transparency: working with Metlabs means professionalism, innovation and security.”
Pedro A. Agúndez MéndezGoogle Local Guide
“They advised us on the feasibility of tokenizing real estate assets in Uruguay with direct, cordial treatment. A professional team, responsive and always available.”
Álvaro Silva SantamaríaCEO, Sp Inmuebles
“Great professionals, very attentive to their clients and always mindful of every detail. Working with their team has been a genuine pleasure from start to finish.”
CriptorentVerified Google review
“Excellent service across blockchain development, asset tokenization and consulting. A very professional team that I recommend wholeheartedly, without reservation.”
José Luis DíazVerified Google review
Platform
What does our white label tokenization platform include in Nigeria?
The investor portal, ERC-3643 tokens and issuer console, under your brand. Out of the box it handles onboarding, signing, payment and distributions; anything else your issuance needs, such as a local payment method or a connection to your bank or custodian, we build on the same platform.
Request a demo
- Your brand and domainYour visual identity and legal notices across the investor portal.
- Investor onboardingSign-up, KYC with NIN, KYB, AML controls (MLPPA 2022) and a custodial wallet.
- End-to-end investmentE-signature and payment in Nigerian naira (NGN) by NIP instant transfer.
- ERC-3643 tokensEvery subscription is issued under the rules of the SEC-registered offering.
- Issuer consoleProjects, investors, naira reconciliation, distributions and reporting.
- Compliance and audit trailKYC and AML file, beneficial owner checks per investor and an exportable audit log.
Institutional custody, integrated
We integrate custody and key management providers through their APIs, including Fireblocks, BitGo, Coinbase Prime, Anchorage Digital, Copper and Ledger Enterprise. Depending on the provider and model, keys are managed with MPC or multisig so that none depends on a single device. If the token is a security, custody on behalf of clients is provided by an authorized entity.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about tokenization in Nigeria
What we are asked before a project starts.
Talk to our teamIs asset tokenization legal in Nigeria?
Yes, within the securities framework. The ISA 2025, in force since March 25, 2025, includes virtual and digital assets in the definition of securities, and the SEC registers issuers, offering platforms, custodians and exchanges separately. What is not possible is offering the token to the public without going through that regime.
Can a Nigerian Ltd issue tokens?
It can issue tokenized shares or debentures to a closed group of investors, but CAMA 2020 prohibits it from inviting the public to subscribe for them and caps its members at 50, excluding employees. For an open offer, the company re-registers as a Plc and registers the securities with the SEC.
Which offer route is used for a token in Nigeria?
An invitation to the public requires a Plc whose securities are registered with the SEC and a prospectus registered within the previous six months. Placement can go through a registered offering platform, such as a DAOP or a RATOP, with a registered custodian, and each operator meets the minimum capital for its function.
Does the token give ownership of the property?
Not by itself. The token represents a right against the issuer, and the SEC's recognition of the RATOP category does not establish an automatic transfer of real estate ownership. The structure must identify the property's owner, the investor's enforceable right, custody and what happens in an insolvency.
Asset tokenization
Assets we tokenize in Nigeria.
Asset tokenization
Articles on tokenization
Real Asset Tokenization: How RWA Tokenization Works
How to structure an RWA project: holder rights, issuance, recordkeeping, payments and recovery. What blockchain adds and what depends on the legal arrangement.
What are the differences between security tokens and utility tokens?
How to distinguish financial rights from service access, what legal classification examines and why a token’s name does not determine its regulation.
OpenZeppelin and ERC-3643: how a security token is built
What OpenZeppelin libraries and ERC-3643 controls provide, and what a securities issuance also requires: rights, permissions, operations and review.
Tokenize your asset in Nigeria
Tell us which right you want to issue and we will propose the technical structure, timeline and phased budget.
Where we are
We're your tokenization company in:
Metlabs Offices
Av. García Sabell, 1, Edificio Proa 15009 A Coruña, Spain
We tokenize assets in
SpainUnited StatesUAEUnited KingdomMexicoSingaporeAustraliaSwitzerlandColombiaArgentinaChilePeruPortugalGermanyHong KongBrazilEcuadorFranceIndiaPanamaAndorraAustriaBahrainBelgiumBoliviaCanadaCosta RicaCubaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkDominican RepublicEl SalvadorEstoniaFinlandGreeceGuatemalaHondurasHungaryIrelandIsraelItalyJapanKuwaitLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaMonacoMoroccoNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNorwayOmanParaguayPolandPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaSan MarinoSaudi ArabiaSeychellesSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSwedenTurkeyUruguayVenezuela
