Tinubu’s virtual assets order reshapes Nigeria’s digital finance roadmap as industry convenes — 2026-07-28

## Short Segments Russia's central bank drafts its first rules for organized crypto trading, setting the stage for a regulated digital asset market. Mubadala Capital launches a tokenized fund on Solana, while Tryramp introduces 24/7 stablecoin payments. Wyden joins The Hashgraph Association, expanding its reach to 250 million customers. Kakao Group and Circle team up to build digital financial infrastructure in South Korea. And later, Nigeria's new virtual assets order reshapes its digital finance landscape. Now, Russia's central bank is taking a significant step in crypto regulation. Russia's central bank has drafted its first rules for organized crypto trading, marking a pivotal moment for the country's digital asset market. The draft regulations outline requirements for exchanges, including standardized crypto pricing and capital rules for custodians ranging from $640,000 to $3.2 million. This move aims to formalize customer ownership records and integrate crypto with domestic digital financial assets. By establishing these guidelines, Russia is providing financial institutions with a clearer framework for operating within the crypto space. This development is crucial as it signals Russia's intent to regulate and potentially expand its digital asset market, offering a more structured environment for investors and institutions alike. Mubadala Capital launches a tokenized fund on Solana as Tryramp introduces 24/7 stablecoin payments. Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Capital has teamed up with Coinbase and KAIO to tokenize one of its private market funds across Base, Solana, and Sui networks. This initiative has already attracted $75 million from investors, including Coinbase. The fund's tokenization allows for greater accessibility and liquidity, opening up investment opportunities that were previously limited to traditional markets. Meanwhile, Tryramp's introduction of 24/7 stablecoin payments enhances the flexibility and efficiency of digital transactions. Together, these developments highlight the growing trend of integrating blockchain technology into traditional financial systems, offering new avenues for investment and payment solutions. Wyden joins The Hashgraph Association after signing two tier-1 banks and reaching 250 million customers. Zurich-based Wyden, a leader in institutional digital asset trading infrastructure, has joined The Hashgraph Association Membership program. This move comes alongside the signing of two major tier-1 banks, significantly expanding Wyden's reach into traditional retail banking. With over 250 million retail customers now accessible through its bank partners, Wyden's integration into the Hedera ecosystem aims to accelerate innovation in digital assets. This collaboration underscores the importance of ecosystem partnerships in bridging the gap between traditional finance and digital asset markets, enhancing connectivity and adoption. Kakao Group and Circle to build digital financial infrastructure in South Korea. South Korean conglomerate Kakao Group has partnered with Circle, the issuer of USDC, to explore blockchain-based payment infrastructure and digital asset technology. The collaboration includes the development of a won-backed stablecoin under South Korea's regulatory framework. By combining Kakao's digital platforms with Circle's expertise in digital assets, the partnership aims to enhance payment solutions and financial services in the region. This strategic move reflects the increasing interest in stablecoins and blockchain technology as tools for modernizing financial infrastructure and expanding digital finance capabilities. Core Scientific ties its AI pivot to AMD in a multi-gigawatt infrastructure deal. Core Scientific has partnered with AMD to develop 500 megawatts of AI data-center capacity in the U.S., scalable to 2.5 gigawatts. This agreement marks a significant shift for Core Scientific, transitioning from its origins in Bitcoin mining to a focus on AI infrastructure. The partnership includes warrants for AMD to purchase Core Scientific stock, aligning both companies' interests in expanding AI capabilities. This deal highlights the growing intersection of AI and blockchain technologies, as companies seek to leverage advanced computing power for innovative applications. ## Feature Story Nigeria's virtual assets order reshapes its digital finance roadmap as the industry convenes. President Bola Tinubu's Executive Order on Virtual Assets Coordination marks a significant shift in Nigeria's approach to digital finance. The order establishes a coordinated framework for regulating virtual assets, aiming to harmonize oversight across key agencies like the SEC, Central Bank, and tax authorities. This move comes after years of fluctuating policies, where Nigeria alternated between banning crypto and becoming one of its largest global markets. The new framework seeks to curb fraud, money laundering, and cybersecurity risks while supporting innovation in the digital economy. The Nigeria Stablecoin Summit, organized by the Africa Stablecoin Network, highlights the country's commitment to integrating stablecoins and tokenized assets into its financial system. Industry participants believe the framework will improve clarity and cooperation among financial, revenue, and capital markets agencies. The Executive Order also establishes a CBN-led council to oversee the implementation of these regulations, with a 30-day timeline for initial steps. This coordinated approach aims to protect citizens from fraud and safeguard the integrity of the financial system, while enabling responsible growth in the digital asset sector. As Nigeria moves forward with this new regulatory framework, the focus will be on balancing innovation with security and compliance. The order's emphasis on coordination and shared technology platforms reflects a broader trend of governments seeking to integrate digital assets into existing financial systems. For issuers, custodians, and payment companies, this means navigating a more structured regulatory environment that could facilitate greater adoption and institutional participation. The success of Nigeria's approach could serve as a model for other countries grappling with similar challenges in the rapidly evolving digital finance landscape. As the industry gathers in Lagos, the conversation will likely center on how to leverage this new framework to drive growth and innovation in Nigeria's digital finance sector. Stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the implementation unfolds and what impact it will have on the broader market. With the potential to transform Nigeria into a leading hub for digital assets, the Executive Order represents a pivotal moment in the country's financial evolution.