NASD Unveils Digital Securities Platform for Issuance, Trading, Others

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A regulated infrastructure designed for the issuance, trading, clearing and settlement of tokenised securities in Nigeria has been launched by NASD OTC Securities Exchange.

This initiative is known as the NASD Digital Securities Platform and was developed with blockchain technology supplied by Blockstation Incorporated.

The platform is anticipated to kick off public market activity with its first digital securities offering in September 2026.

It was learned that the NASD Digital Securities Platform should deepen access to capital and modernise the nation’s capital markets.

This is because it supports fractional investment and improves the efficiency and transparency of securities transactions.

Its market impact will, however, depend on the quality of initial issuances, regulatory clarity, investor protection, custody arrangements, settlement reliability, secondary-market liquidity and the participation of licensed intermediaries.

The platform will enable companies to issue tokenised securities through NASD’s regulated market infrastructure while giving investors access to a new class of regulated digital investment products.

Investors will also require clear disclosure of the rights attached to each digital security, the underlying assets, valuation methodology, technology and cybersecurity risks, transfer restrictions and procedures for enforcing claims.

The initiative is the product of collaboration among NASD, technology providers, regulators and other market participants to establish what the exchange describes as a secure and trusted marketplace for digital securities.

“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.

“We look forward to welcoming issuers, brokers and investors as this market continues to grow,” the acting chief executive of NASD OTC Securities Exchange, Ms Chinwendu Ekeh, commented.

Also, the chief executive of Blockstation Incorporated, Mr Jai Waterman, said, “With one of the youngest and most entrepreneurial populations in the world, Nigeria has an extraordinary opportunity to expand access to regulated capital markets.

“Enabling greater participation in capital formation is an important step toward long-term wealth creation and economic growth.

“We are proud to support NASD in introducing the NDSP and look forward to seeing the market empower the next generation of Nigerian issuers and investors.”

Also commenting, a representative of TK Tech Africa, Mr Damola Akindolire, said, “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.”