The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cautioned members of the public on the risks associated with investing in Davido’s cryptocurrency, $Davido, saying investors will lose their investments if they dare stake their funds in it.
The $Davido coin gained widespread popularity after its launch attracting early investors who reportedly made profits but hundreds of others lamented over their huge losses barely 48 hours later as the coin significantly depreciated in value.
The SEC in a statement indicated that $Davido did not fall under its regulatory oversight as an investment product or a recognized asset class, stressing that individuals who choose to invest in the meme coin do so at their own risk.
The commission clarified: “The attention of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria (“SEC”) has been drawn to a meme coin known as “$Davido” allegedly linked to the popular Nigerian singer, David Adedeji Adeleke AKA Davido.
“Generally, meme coins are cryptocurrencies inspired by memes and internet jokes. They are often envisaged as a fun, light-hearted cryptocurrencies promoted through a social media community and sometimes through celebrity endorsements.
“Meme coins are also NOT intended to serve as a medium of exchange accepted by the public as payment for goods and services, or as digital representation of capital market products such as shares, debentures, units of collective investment schemes, derivatives contracts, commodities or other kinds of financial instruments or investments.
“The general public is HEREBY ADVISED that meme coins lack fundamental value and are purely speculative. The general public is further WARNED that investing in meme coins, including $Davido, is highly risky and should be done with a full understanding of the associated risk.
“Capital Market Operators are by this Notice warned not to associate with instruments that fall outside the SEC’s regulatory purview. Such instruments should not in any manner be distributed or monitored through any capital market mechanism.
“PLEASE NOTE that the Commission does not recognize $Davido as an investment product or investable asset class under its regulatory purview, as such individuals who patronize it, do so at their peril.
“The Commission will continue to monitor developments within the ecosystem and will not relent in deploying its regulatory powers as and when required”, the SEC added.
