DeFi Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "DeFi Technologies"), a financial technology company closing the gap between traditional capital markets and decentralized finance, is pleased to announce a strategic investment in Continental Stablecoin Inc. ("CSI"), driving development and advocacy for local-currency stablecoins in Africa, notably including the developers of Nigeria's premier regulated stablecoin infrastructure.

Stablecoins represent one of the most significant growth vectors in the digital asset ecosystem. As programmable, borderless, and blockchain-native representations of fiat currency, they are rapidly transforming global payment rails, treasury operations, and remittance flows — particularly in emerging markets where financial access and currency volatility remain acute.

Nigeria now ranks first globally in stablecoin adoption and second in overall digital asset usage, with over 25.9 million users and a penetration rate of 11.9%, according to the 2025 Report on the State of Digital Assets Regulation in Africa. This surge is driven by individuals and businesses seeking to hedge against naira volatility, preserve value in USD-pegged assets, and streamline cross-border payments. At the same time, Nigeria's regulatory landscape is rapidly maturing: the Securities and Exchange Commission of Nigeria has formally recognized digital assets, virtual assets and tokenized instruments as securities under the amended Investments and Securities Act 2025, and the Central Bank of Nigeria has issued updated guidelines for banking relationships with cryptocurrency firms, replacing earlier restrictions and signaling a shift toward formal integration of digital asset platforms.

CSI is building exactly what this environment demands: a next-generation stablecoin framework that aligns with Africa's evolving regulatory priorities and meets the practical needs of banks, fintechs, and retail users. These developments reinforce Nigeria'sleadership in digital finance and the strategic importance of investing in trusted, compliant stablecoin infrastructure across the continent.