KuCoin’s 7.5% VAT Charge on Transaction Fees Sparks Concerns Among Nigerian Crypto Users

KuCoin cryptocurrency exchange announced on July 3 a major regulatory update that will affect its users in Nigeria. The exchange will implement a transaction fee tax on all trades executed on the platform for its Nigerian users.Effective July 8, 2024, the company will begin collecting a 7.5% value-added tax (VAT) on transaction fees for users whose Know Your Customer (KYC) information is registered in Nigeria.

KuCoin Introduces 7.5% VAT on Trading Fees for Nigerian Users

The 7.5% VAT will specifically apply only to the transaction fee and not the total transaction amount. For example, if a user buys 1,000 USDT worth of Bitcoin, the standard transaction fee would be 1 USDT, calculated at a 0.1% fee rate. The VAT on this fee would be 0.075 USDT, bringing the net amount for the transaction to 998.925 USDT.

✅KuCoin introduces 7.5% VAT on trading fees for Nigeria Users

We are writing to inform you of an important regulatory update that impacts our users from Nigeria.

Starting from July 8th, 2024, we will begin collecting a Value-Added Tax (“VAT”) at a rate of 7.5%  on… pic.twitter.com/Y6elL3RjFi

— KuCoin Africa (@KuCoinAfrica) July 3, 2024

The new policy will comply with local tax regulations while maintaining KuCoin’s commitment to regulatory standards.

KuCoin encouraged all Nigerian users to review this update and adjust their trading strategies accordingly to accommodate the new VAT charges.

Nigerian Crypto Stakeholders React to KuCoin Ban and New VAT Policy

Despite the new policy, KuCoin is among the crypto websites currently banned by the Nigerian government.

KuCoin’s announcement has left many stakeholders perplexed, particularly without clear guidance from regulatory authorities.

or mass exodus from the platform if it not properly explain,it can be wrongly interpreted that kucoin or the government might defraud Nigerian users, unless they explain to D public how

1) who gave @kucoin the permission to tax Nigerian users, is it an approval 4rm Nigerian govt pic.twitter.com/THA2vujzB9

— Lucky Uwakwe ( KING of DeFi / NFT/SocialFi /GameFi (@luo2027) July 3, 2024

Lucky Uwakwe, President of the Blockchain Industry Coordinating Committee of Nigeria (BICCoN), voiced concerns about potential fraud and transparency issues. He questioned how the Nigerian government would verify user numbers, ensure accurate trade activity reporting, and confirm proper VAT remittance.

Uwakwe also highlighted the challenges posed by the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) restrictions on converting crypto to fiat, questioning how KuCoin would manage VAT payments under these constraints.

He sought clarification on whether the VAT would apply to all crypto transactions or just peer-to-peer trades involving the naira and whether the CBN would permit banks to facilitate crypto trades.

Additionally, there are uncertainties about the applicability of VAT to Nigerians using KuCoin from abroad.

In contrast, in a report, local crypto analyst Rume Ophi said that the VAT levy is a potentially positive development, suggesting it signals governmental recognition of digital assets as legitimate financial instruments.

Ophi speculated that the introduction of crypto regulations and licensing for industry players might be on the horizon.

“The government missed an opportunity by continuing the 2021 CBN ban, which hindered the growth of local exchanges capable of competing with global counterparts,” he remarked

Ophi emphasized that instead of nurturing the nascent industry, the CBN’s actions have driven many players offshore, depriving Nigeria of a thriving crypto market. He noted that a more supportive regulatory environment could have promoted the growth of local exchanges and enhanced Nigeria’s position in the global crypto landscape.