Bridging Borders with Blockchain: DeFi Technologies Bets Big on Africa's cNGN Stablecoin Revolution

In a continent where economic isolation and currency volatility have long stifled growth, a bold investment is igniting hopes for seamless financial inclusion—enter DeFi Technologies' strategic stake in Continental Stablecoin Inc., the force behind Nigeria's groundbreaking cNGN stablecoin, poised to turbocharge regulated digital dollars across Africa.This move, announced today, sees Toronto-based DeFi Technologies channeling funds via a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) into Continental Stablecoin Inc., a Cape Town-headquartered innovator dedicated to crafting compliant, local-currency-pegged stablecoins. The infusion, while undisclosed in exact figures, aligns DeFi Technologies with a powerhouse syndicate of backers, including Coinbase Ventures—the venture arm of the crypto giant—and Adaverse, a Web3 accelerator, alongside heavyweights like Africa-focused funds and stablecoin pioneers. It's a vote of confidence in Africa's untapped potential, where remittances alone top $100 billion annually but are bogged down by high fees and forex headaches.At the heart of this alliance is cNGN,

Nigeria's first regulated stablecoin, launched in 2024 under the auspices of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Pegged 1:1 to the naira, cNGN isn't just digital cash—it's a bridge between traditional finance and blockchain, enabling instant, low-cost transfers for everything from cross-border payments to everyday e-commerce. Backed by reserves in naira-denominated assets, it promises stability in a market where inflation has eroded the naira's value by over 30% this year alone. Continental Stablecoin Inc., co-founded by fintech veterans Chimezie Chuta and Emeka Ajene, has already integrated cNGN into wallets and DeFi protocols, processing millions in volume since debut and partnering with local banks like Access and Zenith.DeFi Technologies, a publicly traded leader in decentralized finance with a portfolio spanning ETPs and blockchain infrastructure, sees this as more than a bet—it's a cornerstone of its global expansion. "Africa represents the next frontier for DeFi adoption, where regulated stablecoins can unlock billions in trapped capital," said CEO Guillaume Gautier in an exclusive statement to The Business Read.

The investment will fuel Continental's roadmap: scaling cNGN's infrastructure for seamless interoperability with global chains like Ethereum and Solana, while rolling out sister stablecoins in high-potential markets like Kenya (cKES) and Ghana (cGHS). By Q2 2026, the firm aims to onboard 5 million users, slashing remittance costs from 7% to under 1% and empowering unbanked populations—over 50% in sub-Saharan Africa.The timing is electric. With Nigeria's crypto market rebounding post-2021 ban, trading volumes hit $56 billion last year, per Chainalysis. Yet regulatory fog persists: cNGN's CBN approval sets a precedent, but skeptics flag risks like reserve transparency and illicit flows. Continental counters with audited reserves via Big Four firms and AML/KYC baked in from day one. "We're not disrupting; we're digitizing trust," quipped Ajene, whose team of 25 is set to double with this capital, targeting hires in compliance and engineering.Broader ripples?

This infusion spotlights Web3 Africa's maturation. DeFi Technologies, fresh off a 150% stock surge in 2025, is mirroring moves by peers like ConsenSys in Ethiopia. For Continental, it's validation after bootstrapping with seed rounds from African VCs. Challenges loom—naira devaluation pressures reserves, and interoperability hurdles persist—but the upside is massive: a unified African digital economy, where stablecoins grease trade under AfCFTA, the continent's free-trade pact.As blockchain weaves into Africa's financial fabric, this partnership isn't just funding—it's forging a resilient, inclusive future. With cNGN as the spark, DeFi Technologies is fanning flames that could redefine wealth creation from Lagos to Johannesburg, one stable transaction at a time.