NASD launches first digital securities platform

NASD launches first digital securities platform

Nigeria’s over-the-counter securities market, NASD OTC Securities Exchange, has launched a regulated digital securities market, becoming the country’s first exchange to offer a platform for issuing and trading tokenised securities.

The NASD Digital Securities Platform is now live, with its inaugural public digital securities offering scheduled for early September, according to a statement by the exchange.

The platform enables companies to issue tokenised securities through NASD’s regulated infrastructure while providing investors access to a new asset class of regulated digital investment products.

Speaking on the development, the Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NASD OTC  Securities  Exchange,  Chinwendu  Ekeh,  said  the move signals  a shift  towards modernising domestic capital formation.

“The NDSP introduces greater transparency, more efficient issuance and trading processes, and

modern  market  infrastructure  designed  to  support  the  next  generation  of  regulated  capital

markets,” Ekeh said. “We look forward to welcoming issuers, brokers, and investors as this market continues to grow.”

The platform runs on blockchain technology built by Blockstation Inc., facilitating the issuance, trading, clearing, and settlement of digital assets within an institutional-grade framework.

The Chief Executive Officer of Blockstation Inc., Jai Waterman, highlighted the demographic advantage driving the adoption of digital assets in the country. “With one of the youngest and most entrepreneurial populations in the world, Nigeria has an extraordinary opportunity to expand access to regulated capital markets,” Waterman noted. “Enabling greater participation in capital formation is an important step toward long-term wealth creation and economic growth.”

Also reacting to the launch, Damola Akindolire of TK Tech Africa stressed that the ecosystem was built through cross-sector collaboration to ensure safety and regulatory alignment.

“Opening a new regulated market requires close collaboration between technology providers, market operators, regulators, and industry participants. Today’s announcement establishes a strong foundation for future digital securities issuances in Nigeria,” Akindolire stated.

The exchange noted that further issuances and market updates will follow the September maiden launch as it continues stakeholder engagement across retail, institutional, and SME sectors.

Source: https://punchng.com/nasd-launches-first-digital-securities-platform/