This study analyses the effect of cryptocurrency on the Nigerian economy. The development of crypto-currency as a means of exchange without legal backing and invisibility of the identity of operators has posed peculiar challenges, such as illicit financial flow and terrorism, amongst others, to the country. This study, therefore, sought to examine the effect of crypto-currency on the Nigerian economy. The study hinged on social exchange theory. Secondary data were obtained from the CBN statistical bulletin and Global Financial Integrity Report for a period of six years from 2015 to 2020. The data were analyzed using a simple regression model. The result shows that R is 7.9%, which means that there is a low positive relationship between crypto-currency and the level of economic development in Nigeria. It further shows an adjusted R square of -38.4 which depicts that crypto-currency has a low inverse effect on the level of economic development in Nigeria. In conclusion, the computed p-value of 0.945, which is higher than the set p-value of 0.05, shows that crypto-currency does not have a significant effect on the level of economic development in Nigeria. Hence, it is recommended that, in order to sustain economic development from the activities of crypto-currency in Nigeria, the CBN needs to ensure that laws and mechanisms are put in place to capture the activities of crypto-currency in the country adequately.
