By Dipo Olowookere

The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited witnessed a significant increase in transactions last week, with investors trading 7.521 billion equities valued at N398.949 billion compared with the 2.902 billion equities worth N48.064 billion bought and sold in 57,044 deals a week earlier.

Lafarge Africa, Sovereign Trust Insurance, and Cutix were the busiest stocks in the week, accounting for 5.546 billion units worth N332.381 billion in 1,300 deals, contributing 73.73 per cent and 83.31 per cent to the total trading volume and value, respectively.

Unlike the previous week, the industrial goods sector led the activity chart with 4.923 billion shares valued at N331.999 billion in 2,969 deals, contributing 65.46 per cent and 83.22 per cent to the total trading volume and value, respectively.

The financial services industry slipped to second with a turnover of 2.092 billion shares valued at N31.744 billion in 32,421deals, and third place was the services counter with 198.775 million shares sold for N788,669 million in 3,450 deals.

Business Post reports that 43 stocks appreciated in the week versus 32 stocks in the previous week, 36 equities depreciated versus 48 equities a week earlier, and 71 shares closed flat versus 70 shares in the preceding week.

Mutual Benefits gained 56.72 per cent to close at N1.05, Sunu Assurances expanded by 33.27 per cent to N6.65, Abbey Mortgage Bank grew by 31.39 per cent to N4.73, Royal Exchange surged by 31.25 per cent to N1.05, and eTranzact jumped by 19.79 per cent to N5.75.

Conversely, Africa Prudential lost 60.45 per cent to quote at N13.05, CWG shed 11.11 per cent to settle at N8.00, John Holt slipped by 10.00 per cent to N7.74, UH REIT declined by 9.93 per cent to N51.25, and United Capital depreciated by 9.84 per cent to N16.50.

Bargain-hunting lifted the mood of the bourse in the five-day trading week, with the All-Share Index (ASI) and the market capitalisation closing higher by 0.66 per cent to 105,660.64 points and N66.257 trillion, respectively.

Similarly, all other indices finished higher apart from the energy and commodity indices, which retreated by 1.65 per cent and 0.76 per cent respectively, while the AseM index closed flat.

By Dipo Olowookere

A new report by Atmos has revealed that Nigeria is not among the 10 most cryptocurrency-obsessed countries in the world despite a growing interest in digital assets among citizens.

In the report made available to Business Post, it was disclosed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the most crypto-obsessed country in 2025, with over a quarter of its population owning at least a digital coin.

It was discovered that the country has exceptional adoption growth at 210 per cent and moderate searches despite having minimal Bitcoin ATM infrastructure.

Following is Singapore with a score of 97.5, with nearly a quarter of its population having cryptocurrency, and has seen a 150 per cent increase in adoption. With 160,000 monthly crypto searches, Singapore maintains its reputation as one of the most engaged markets in the space despite lacking any Bitcoin ATMs.

The United States was third with an ownership rate of 15.5 per cent, though leading in Bitcoin ATMs, housing nearly 30,000 nationwide. It also records the highest number of crypto searches, surpassing 4.2 million monthly, indicating a continued mainstream interest in digital assets.

The fourth place was Canada though it has an adoption growth rate at 225 per cent, with 10.1 per cent of its population now holding cryptocurrency. It hosts the second-largest Bitcoin ATM network globally with 3,561 machines, dramatically fewer than the US but thousands more than any previous country.

Turkey secured the fifth spot with crypto ownership of 19.3 per cent, and a monthly search rate of 802,000. While adoption growth of 135 per cent is slightly lower than other top-ranked countries, Turkey’s increasing reliance on digital assets amid economic uncertainty highlights its strong position in the crypto market.

The sixth was Germany and adoption growth rate at 225 per cent, with over one million crypto-related searches per month, Switzerland ranked seventh, Australia occupied eighth place, Argentina ranked ninth and South Korea occupied the 10th place.

“Cryptocurrency adoption is not just about investment trends. It is reshaping financial systems worldwide. In some regions, it is a hedge against inflation and currency instability, while in others, it is a step toward a more digitized economy.

“What truly drives adoption is not just interest but accessibility. When regulatory clarity, payment integration, and real-world utility align, crypto moves from speculation to a fundamental part of everyday transactions.

“As global financial landscapes shift, the countries embracing this evolution will be the ones setting the standard for the future of digital finance,” the chief executive of Atmos, Mr Nick Cooke, said.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A leading technology firm, Sage Grey Technologies, has reaffirmed its commitment to driving financial inclusion, SME growth and technological innovation through strategic partnerships and product development.

The firm, alongside its sister company, Sage Grey Finance, said it is making efforts to expand financial access for SMEs, drive technological advancements, and contribute to sustainable economic development through solutions.

“We are committed to building technology solutions that not only enhance business operations but also create social impact.

“Our goal is to bridge efficiency gaps in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem while ensuring that businesses and individuals benefit from technology-driven opportunities,” the Chief Operating Officer of Sage Grey Technologies, Mr Yemi Jinadu, stated.

Also, the Executive Director of Sage Grey Finance, Mr Jumo Atiba, said, “At Sage Grey Finance, we believe in the transformative power of impact financing.

“Our unique position in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem allows us to unlock opportunities that generate both financial returns and meaningful social impact.

“As a licensed and regulated entity by the Central Bank of Nigeria, we seamlessly blend profitability with social impact. Our integration into the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System ensures we deliver secure, efficient financial services, setting us apart.

“Our journey is rooted in empowering businesses, fostering sustainable development, and creating enduring value for our stakeholders and communities.”

Sage Grey Technologies’ product innovations include Splitmulti, a digital marketplace that allows businesses and consumers to make bulk purchases at wholesale prices, providing cost-effective solutions for retailers and end users; Proxze, a platform that connects businesses with verified service providers, including business professionals, simplifying compliance and financial management; Adzplug, a street-level advertising solution that allows shop owners to earn passive income while giving brands direct access to local markets; and Nkiru, a customer support solution that provides corporates and SMEs with digital reception services, helping them establish a professional presence without physical office costs.

On its part, Sage Grey Finance offers a tailored SME funding scheme that enables small businesses to access financing at a highly competitive 9 per cent interest rate.

It also support small business owners through partnership with the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) to facilitate direct engagement with entrepreneurs, ensuring that financing solutions reach those who need them most, and improve access to capital to underserved groups such as women and youth by providing dedicated financial products designed to foster economic empowerment.