Nigeria Revenue Service Issues Comprehensive Tax Guidelines for Cryptocurrency and Virtual Assets

Aug 3, 2026

The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has issued comprehensive guidelines for taxing virtual assets under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025. The framework mandates that Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) verify customer Tax Identification Numbers before account activation. Non-compliant platforms face a ₦10 million ($7,000) fine for the first month of default. Corporate crypto profits are taxed at 30%, and a 1.5% stamp duty applies to token-to-fiat conversions. The rules follow President Bola Tinubu's July 2026 Executive Order establishing a coordinated Virtual Asset Council.

NRS virtual asset tax guidelines

▪The new guidelines clarify how existing tax laws, specifically the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, apply to digital assets.
▪The guidelines classify virtual assets into three categories: cryptocurrencies and exchange tokens; fiat-referenced stablecoins; and virtual assets representing financial or investment rights.
▪The Nigeria Revenue Service issued comprehensive guidelines on the taxation of virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and tokenized assets, on July 31, 2026.

Crypto transaction stamp duty

▪A 1.5% stamp duty applies to token-to-fiat and fiat-to-token conversions on registered exchanges or peer-to-peer platforms.
▪Facilitating exchanges must withhold the 1.5% stamp duty directly from the originating digital token before crediting the user's balance.

Corporate income tax rates

▪Individual capital gains from selling, trading, or swapping digital assets are taxable under Nigeria's progressive personal income tax regime.
▪Medium and large companies earning profits from virtual asset transactions face a 30% corporate income tax rate on those gains.

VASP compliance requirements

▪Virtual Asset Service Providers are required to collect and remit Value Added Tax, withholding tax, and stamp duties to the Nigeria Revenue Service.
▪Virtual Asset Service Providers and peer-to-peer marketplace operators must verify every customer's Tax Identification Number before activating their account.

Enforcement penalties

▪Non-compliant Virtual Asset Service Providers face an additional penalty of ₦1 million for each subsequent month of non-compliance.
▪Individuals who fail to register for tax purposes face a penalty of ₦50,000 for the first month and ₦25,000 for each subsequent month of default.
▪Virtual Asset Service Providers and peer-to-peer platforms face a penalty of ₦10 million for the first month of failing to onboard users with Tax Identification Numbers or remit taxes.

Nigeria crypto regulatory evolution

▪President Bola Tinubu signed the Presidential Executive Order on Virtual Assets Coordination, 2026, on July 17, 2026, establishing a Virtual Asset Council.
▪The Virtual Asset Council is chaired by the Central Bank of Nigeria, with the Nigeria Revenue Service and the Securities and Exchange Commission serving as vice-chairpersons.