Nigerian financial technology startup Tapnob has launched a Bitcoin-powered payments platform that converts digital assets into naira within seconds, targeting the country’s growing demand for faster and cheaper cross-border transfers.

The platform allows users abroad to send cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, USDT and USDC, while recipients in Nigeria receive the naira equivalent instantly at locked-in exchange rates. By using Bitcoin infrastructure and stablecoin rails behind the scenes, Tapnob aims to bypass the delays and high fees that often accompany traditional remittance channels.

Tapnob positions the service as a safer alternative to informal peer-to-peer crypto markets, which many Nigerians currently rely on to move money in and out of the country. Those informal channels, while popular, can expose users to fraud, price manipulation and regulatory uncertainty.

According to the company, the new platform is built for everyday users who may not understand the technicalities of blockchain or digital assets. Senders initiate transfers in supported cryptocurrencies, while recipients simply receive naira in local bank accounts or supported wallets, interacting only with familiar local payment systems.

Beyond individual remittances, Tapnob is also targeting businesses that earn revenue from international clients. Merchants such as hotels, travel agencies, event organisers and freelancers can accept payments from abroad in digital currencies and settle directly in naira, without opening foreign bank accounts or navigating complex correspondent banking arrangements.

Tapnob reports that the platform processed millions in transaction volume in its first months of operation, driven largely by word-of-mouth adoption. The company says it has focused on maintaining high transaction success rates and user retention as indicators of reliability.

On the technical side, Tapnob combines Bitcoin’s Lightning Network with stablecoin systems and local payout infrastructure. This hybrid approach is designed to deliver near-instant, low-cost transfers while insulating users from the price volatility typically associated with cryptocurrencies.

The startup situates its product within broader shifts in Africa’s financial landscape, where cryptocurrency and stablecoin usage has surged amid currency depreciation and capital controls. By offering compliant, seamless conversion between digital assets and naira, Tapnob says it aims to provide a more predictable bridge between global value and local spending power.

The platform is operated by Reala Innovative Solutions Limited, which oversees its technology, compliance and integration with Nigeria’s financial system.