Economy
What’s the Difference Between a Bitcoin Merchant Account and a Payment Gateway
We expect many changes as time passes and various industries develop. Businesses are trying to approach financial management differently, as some are trying to shift from conventional payment systems to blockchain technology and digital assets. Companies are starting to modify their tactics to accept and manage payments made with virtual assets to stay up to date.
This change is not without its difficulties, though. It requires a careful evaluation of numerous variables and a clear comprehension of how they interact. In this article, we aim to draw attention to the important factors that must be taken into account when choosing the best Bitcoin merchant solution.
Essential Concepts in Crypto Merchant Accounts
A merchant account is a special location where companies can hold sales proceeds until they are transferred to their bank accounts in accordance with the conditions stipulated by the merchant service provider.
By creating a link between the business and the client’s bank, these accounts are essential to the efficient processing of card transactions for e-commerce enterprises. These accounts are particularly attractive because there are no processing costs, and cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, especially in high-risk e-commerce industries.
Crypto payment gateways are connected to merchant accounts, which require thorough identity and business verification in order to conduct transactions. These gateways are essential for facilitating international payments, guaranteeing smooth financial transfers from customers to companies, and discouraging fraudulent activity. By confirming the authenticity of the customer’s card information and approving authorised fund transfers, they verify transactions.
Payment gateways allow companies to accept digital currency by acting as a link between blockchain technology and traditional banking systems. These gateways can use the blockchain network to validate transactions and convert cryptocurrencies into fiat money for an extra fee, which helps to stabilise the market.
The Collaboration of Merchant Accounts and Payment Gateways
When it comes to financial transactions, the procedure usually starts when the customer makes a payment. A processing engine then contacts the customer’s bank to obtain confirmation. The money is kept in the merchant account for a short while after verification and then sent to the company’s main bank account. The client’s information is collected safely and sent to their bank for verification. The bank checks the availability of funds and the validity of the card before approving the transaction.
The payment gateway is obliged to send this data to the bank. Interestingly, merchant accounts—especially those with Bitcoin—have made it much easier for customers and companies to transfer money. The buyer completes the purchase quickly after the payment gateway verifies that it is legitimate.
The Difference
Payment processing companies that accept crypto are essential to guaranteeing safe transactions between clients and companies. After a transaction, money moves from the card issuer to the bank of the merchant and then to the company’s main account.
A merchant account manages transactions made through a business bank, whereas a payment gateway controls the flow of funds during a sale. These elements are essential for handling credit/debit card and cryptocurrency payments, allowing companies to take payments securely and clients to make purchases with confidence.
Integrating Bitcoin Payments into Your Business
Benefits like cost reductions, streamlined transactions, and chargeback protection can be utilised to integrate Bitcoin payments into your business operations easily. Here’s how to get started, step-by-step:
Choosing the Best Crypto Payment Gateway: Make sure the crypto payment gateway you select meets your needs in terms of supported cryptocurrencies, transaction costs, security features, and customer service.
Creating an Online Store: Create a merchant account with the gateway of your choice, making sure it has all the features and capabilities your company needs.
Creating Digital Wallets: To effectively handle various digital assets, set up multi-currency digital wallets to accept Bitcoin payments and make it easier to convert them into fiat money when needed.
Activating BTC Payments: After integration and wallet setup are complete, notify your users that your platform now accepts Bitcoin payments and activate BTC payment options.
Some Additional Things to Consider
Take into account the following elements while choosing the best Bitcoin payment option:
Cost: Choose a payment method that offers fair transaction costs and strikes a balance between affordability and service quality.
Security Procedures: Make sure the payment method you select respects your privacy and has strong security features like encryption, 2FA, and cold storage options.
User-Friendliness: For maximum user convenience, consider a system that provides simple cryptocurrency selection, interoperability with well-known wallets, and smooth integration procedures.
Customer service: Choose suppliers with attentive customer service departments to quickly resolve any problems and guarantee a seamless payment process for your clients.
Supported Cryptocurrencies: Reach a wider audience by leveraging platforms that support a variety of well-known cryptocurrencies, such as ETH and BTC.
Final Thoughts
Payment gateways and merchant accounts are vital parts of any organisation since they make transactions easier and help them stand out from the competition. They are essential in offering effective cryptocurrency payment options.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The chief executive of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Group Plc, Mr Temi Popoola, and his counterpart at the NGX Limited, Mr Jude Chiemeka, have expressed delight over the value of the bourse breaking the N100 trillion ceiling on Monday.
Yesterday, the domestic stock exchange gained 1.74 per cent, with the market capitalisation rising by N1.869 trillion to N101.807 trillion ($71.15 billion) from N99.938 trillion ($69.61 billion) and the All-Share Index (ASI) growing by 2,725.86 points to 159,218.22 points from last Friday’s 156,492.36 points.
The growth was buoyed by renewed investor demand and broad-based gains across listed stocks, resulting in a year-to-date returns of 2.32 per cent.
It was observed that the rally was driven by strong buying interest in stocks such as Cadbury Nigeria, Fidson Healthcare, and Champion Breweries, reflecting the traditional “January Effect” that often characterises early-year market activity.
Investor sentiment strengthened markedly, with market breadth improving to 9.13x as 73 equities recorded gains against eight decliners, signalling widespread participation in the rally.
“The equities market capitalisation crossing the N100 trillion mark is a defining milestone for Nigeria’s capital market and a clear signal of renewed investor confidence as the year begins.
“It reflects the market’s growing depth, resilience, and ability to respond positively to improving macroeconomic conditions and structural reforms,” Mr Popoola stated, adding that sustained collaboration between market stakeholders and regulators has played a key role in strengthening market credibility.
“Over the past two years, closer alignment between market operators, policymakers, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has enhanced transparency, liquidity, and investor protection, reinforcing the Exchange’s role in mobilising long-term capital for economic growth,” he said.
On his part, Mr Chiemeka said, “The breadth of the market tells a positive story. We are seeing strong participation across banking, industrial, and consumer stocks, alongside rising trading volumes, which suggest growing investor confidence and a more active market at the start of the year.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Managing Director of the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange, Mr Eguarekhide Longe, has said the bourse in 2026 would play its role in expanding the economic space and anchoring enduring socio-political transformation and inclusive growth in the country.
Speaking as part of his new year message, the NASD helmsman noted that the steady gains recorded in the nation’s macro-economy will translate to further gains in 2026.
“In this regard, we are optimistic about the further structural reforms and gains that will attend the implementation of the Nation’s new tax law.
“We know that there are development gaps to be covered in improving hard and soft infrastructure, as well as supporting genuine entrepreneurs across the length and breadth of the country, providing justification for scaling up projects and businesses via the instrumentality of structured capital market platforms,” he said.
He also said the flagship OTC market performed moderately with new admissions and a consolidation of the staple performers in the trading year 2025.
“2025 has turned out, in many respects, to be a year of reasonably positive performance, financially, but more a year of tangible results from the diversification of the activities on NASD,” Mr Longe said.
Business Post analysis of the bourse’s 2025 Trading Summary showed that the exchange recorded a strong expansion in market capitalisation in 2025, even as overall trading activity by deal count declined compared with 2024.
Market capitalisation on the exchange more than doubled to N2.12 trillion in 2025, representing a 106 per cent increase from N1.03 trillion in 2024. The number of admitted securities also rose marginally to 47, up from 45 in the prior year, reflecting a 4 per cent growth.
The NASD Securities Index (NSI) rose by 18 per cent to 3,543.74 points, compared with 3,002.68 points in 2024. Similarly, the NASD Pension Index advanced by 21 per cent to 1,032.88 points, up from 954.33 points.
Trading volumes surged significantly during the year. Total volume traded climbed to 14.03 billion units, marking a 377 per cent increase from 2.98 billion units in 2024. However, this sharp rise in volume contrasted with a decline in transaction value, which fell by 43 per cent to N59.29 billion, down from N103.96 billion in 2024.
The total number of deals executed on the platform dropped to 6,456, representing a 26 per cent decline from 8,724 deals recorded the previous year, indicating fewer but larger or more strategic transactions.
The exchange also recorded notable listings in 2025, with Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company PLC (InfraCredit), Paintcom Investment Nigeria PLC (Paintcom), and MRS PLC admitted to trading. In addition, the listing of the Access Bank PLC Rights Issue contributed to market growth. Combined, new listings on the NASD in 2025 were valued at approximately N1.121 trillion.
Commercial Paper admissions unto the NASD platform exceeded N34.32 billion in the trading year and maiden offer on the NASD Digital Securities platform of a tokenised Commercial Paper stood at N5 billion.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The trading compass at the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange pointed north on Monday, January 5 after the market closed higher by 0.60 per cent.
The NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) added 21.49 points to close at 3,575.33 points compared to the previous session’s 3,553.84 points just as the market capitalisation inflated by N12.86 billion to finish at N2.139 trillion, in contrast to last Friday’s value of N2.126 trillion.
The growth recorded by the NASD OTC bourse yesterday was influenced by three securities led by FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc, which gained N4.70 to close at N51.70 per share compared with the previous N47.00 per share.
Further, Geo-Fluids Plc appreciated by 43 Kobo to settle at N6.94 per unit versus N6.51 per unit, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc appreciated by 37 Kobo to N36.00 per share from N35.63 per share.
Data from the alternative stock exchange showed a drop in investor appetite as the volume of trades declined by 94.7 per cent to 193,973 units from 3.6 million units, while the value of transactions decreased by 68.2 per cent to N4.5 million from N14.1 billion, with the number of deals sliding by 34.8 per cent to 15 deals compared to 23 deals.
At the close of business, CSCS Plc was the most traded stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 341,080 units sold for N12.2 million, followed by Geo-Fluids Plc with 535,970 units valued at N3.5 million, and Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) Plc with 2.9 million units exchanged for N1.9 million.
However, IGI Plc was the most active stock by volume on a year-to-date basis with 2.9 million units traded for N1.9 million. trailed by Geo-Fluids Plc with 535,970 units worth N3.5 million, and CSCS Plc with 341,080 units valued at N12.2 million.
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