Ezichim Onweagba, Quidax
Ezichim Onweagba, Head of Global Partnerships at Quidax

Quidax is anticipating that a cryptocurrency upsurge witnessed across recent times will show no signs of slowing down, with stablecoins cited as one particular digital asset that could soar to new heights.

Speaking to Payment Expert, Head of Global Partnerships, Ezichim Onweagba, highlights Quidax’s work across Africa, as the go-to B2B crypto/fiat partner, the challenges and successes they have had and the general outlook for the year ahead.

Crypto’s rapid shifts

Following what was billed as a “significant year of growth” for Quidax, and the increased adoption of cryptocurrency, particularly stablecoins,  the crypto exchange voices much confidence for the future.

“We had good expectations of the year and in many ways, they were met,” Onweagba reflects. “We adapted by expanding our offerings, enhancing operational efficiencies, and fostering deeper trust among institutional clients. 

“A key moment this year was becoming Nigeria’s first SEC-licensed crypto exchange – a milestone that solidified our credibility and leadership within the African crypto space.”

Like so many across the industry, expansion quickly became a hot-topic of conversation. As hopes of growingits presence across the continentcome to fruition, the developments witnessed via the group’s Over-The-Counter Desk are causing much optimism.

Cited as the “biggest highlight” of recent times, the addition of “two major African currencies”, namely the South African rand and Ethiopian birr, permitted growth into two new markets.

“This expansion has allowed us to meet the growing demand for localised solutions across key markets and positioned us as the go-to partner for large-volume crypto trades in Africa,” Onweagba continues. 

“This development shows our commitment to solving liquidity challenges and facilitating seamless cross-border payments.” 

Hopes and expectations

The familiar themes of regulatory uncertainty in emerging markets and fluctuating liquidity in other markets remains a challenge for crypto exchanges like Quidax. 

“We continue to tackle these challenges through collaboration with relevant stakeholders and a commitment to compliance,” Onweagba says.

“On the liquidity front, we focused on deepening partnerships with institutional liquidity providers and leveraging technology to ensure consistent trade execution for our clients.”

This duly leads to an abundance of lessons learned, as Onweagba stipulates the importance of resilience and adaptability in an industry that is ever-evolving is perhaps the most critical.

“We’ve also learned that compliance with regulations, enhancing service delivery, and providing tailored one-on-one client support are key drivers of long-term success,” he says.

In the past year, the group increased its event attendance, including the maiden SBC Summit is Lisbon, highlighting their commitment to creating and nurturing business connections and sharing their story and solution. 

“We’re committed to expanding our offerings and improving our service delivery, as a trusted partner for global businesses with operations in Africa who are seeking secure and efficient cross-border settlement solutions,” he adds.

Stablecoin adoption to swell

Staying ahead of the game and on top of emerging trends and developments is a key aspect of any organisation’s continued progression, as Onweagba begins to wrap-up by touching how those recently witnessed could influence what lies ahead.

One such example stipulated is an advancement in crypto payment solutions, particularly among businesses leveraging blockchain for cost-efficient, real-time cross-border settlements. 

However, an increasing adoption of stablecoins in B2B payments is elaborated on as having set a strong precedent for future growth. Onweagba concludes by using recent history as an example of why a continued uptick in performance is inevitable.  

“Stablecoins offer price stability, speed, and low transaction costs – qualities that address longstanding pain points of traditional systems,” he states.

“Businesses operating in emerging markets, where currency volatility and access to USD remain challenges, find stablecoins a reliable alternative for settling payments seamlessly.

“In 2025, we anticipate further growth in stablecoin adoption, fueled by expanding use cases, better regulatory clarity, and increased demand for solutions that facilitate efficient global trade.”