Luno Nigeria says it plans to introduce perpetuals trading and potentially futures products in 2026, marking a major shift from a simple crypto buy-and-sell platform to a broader investment app for Nigerian users.
The UK-founded exchange aims to offer more advanced financial tools as Africa’s largest crypto market becomes increasingly structured and regulated.
Perpetuals and futures are derivatives. They allow traders to speculate on the future price of assets without actually owning them. While they can generate higher returns, they also carry significantly greater risk compared to spot crypto trading.
Luno Nigeria’s Country Manager, Ayotunde Alabi, told TechCabal that the expansion is part of a broader strategy to deepen user engagement by offering more sophisticated investment options.
The move comes as Nigeria’s crypto ecosystem gains clearer regulatory oversight. Digital asset trading is now supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which requires platforms to obtain proper licences and operate within defined compliance frameworks.
Although crypto access previously faced internet-related restrictions, regulated platforms such as Luno have remained key gateways for Nigerian users.
Industry analysts say structured oversight could encourage more product innovation, provided risk management and consumer protection measures are strengthened.
Luno has already begun diversifying its offerings.
In 2025, the company launched staking services, allowing users to earn yield on selected digital assets. It also introduced tokenised U.S. stocks, enabling Nigerians to invest in equities alongside cryptocurrencies within the same app.
Usage data from South Africa, where Luno also operates, indicates early interest in these expanded offerings.
Competition in Nigeria’s crypto-fintech space is increasing. Busha is repositioning itself as a broader financial services platform, while Roqqu already offers futures trading products.
If Luno executes its 2026 roadmap successfully, Nigerian users could soon access crypto, tokenised stocks, staking, and derivatives within a single investment platform.
Market observers say the development reflects a wider shift. Crypto in Nigeria is evolving beyond basic coin trading into a more complex financial ecosystem blending digital assets, equities, and structured investment products.
