Dantown, a prominent player in Nigeria’s digital finance space, has elevated Chimene Chinah from Chief Operating Officer (COO) to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), marking a defining moment in the company’s evolution. This leadership transition aligns with Dantown’s entry into a new era of growth—one anchored in regulatory compliance, robust infrastructure for high-volume trading, and bold steps toward international expansion.
Chinah’s promotion comes at a time when Dantown is positioning itself not just as a local crypto exchange but as a global financial ecosystem provider.
Proven Leadership with a Record of Execution
During his tenure as COO, Chinah was instrumental in laying the technical and operational foundation of Dantown’s core offerings. His leadership helped develop the company’s cryptocurrency exchange, virtual card infrastructure, and digital payments system—pillars of the platform’s growth to date.
Now, as CEO, Chinah aims to usher in a new phase focused on long-term scalability, compliance with financial regulations, and user-centered service delivery. “Our vision has always been to make it easier for people to access financial services,” Chinah said. “This vision drives everything we do; from the products we build to how we support our users.”
Riding the Wave of Nigeria’s Crypto Adoption
Nigeria continues to emerge as a global hub for cryptocurrency activity, with a staggering $59 billion in transaction volume recorded between July 2023 and June 2024. This massive uptake reflects the country’s hunger for innovative financial alternatives amid persistent inflation, currency instability, and limited access to global banking systems.
In response to this growing demand, Dantown is expanding its platform to support not just crypto trading but a broad spectrum of financial services. These include cross-border payments, inflation-resistant savings tools, and flexible investment options for users navigating economic volatility.
From Exchange to Global Financial Connector
Under Chinah’s leadership, Dantown plans to become a global connector in the digital finance space. The company is building an all-in-one platform where users can seamlessly receive, store, and exchange both fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies. The integrated virtual card system will allow users to spend their assets worldwide with ease, bringing unprecedented convenience to both individual consumers and businesses.
One of the most significant upcoming additions is Dantown’s over-the-counter (OTC) platform. Designed for high-volume traders and institutional players, the OTC desk will offer personalized services, secure execution, and expert support—filling a growing gap in the Nigerian and broader African crypto markets.
Regulatory Alignment with Nigeria’s SEC
A critical part of Dantown’s new strategy involves securing full regulatory alignment under Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company is actively pursuing licensing through the Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Program (ARIP), a temporary framework allowing Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to operate legally while full registration is underway.
This move will not only enhance user trust but also solidify Dantown’s position as a serious, compliant player in the evolving fintech landscape. Chinah emphasized that regulation is no longer optional but essential to scale: “We’re committed to doing things the right way—from technology to compliance—so we can build a platform that stands the test of time.”
Building Future Talent Through Technical Training
Beyond product development and regulation, Dantown is heavily investing in talent development through structured internship and graduate trainee programs. Spearheaded by Thoth Group, Dantown’s parent company, the initiative began in 2022 and expanded significantly in 2025.
The program is designed to prepare participants for real-world roles in fintech, with practical training across business operations, marketing, and engineering. The six- to nine-month curriculum aims to turn graduates into skilled professionals capable of contributing immediately in high-growth tech environments.
“The goal is to get people work-ready and give them a real shot at thriving in the fintech space,” Chinah noted. “This is not just about growing Dantown—it’s about building an ecosystem.”
Enhancing User Experience and Platform Reliability
Dantown’s new CEO has also made it clear that enhancing customer touchpoints will remain a core focus of the next growth phase. The company is investing in its customer support, refining the onboarding process, and improving transaction reliability across its platform.
These improvements are critical to maintaining trust in a sector that, despite rapid adoption, still faces skepticism due to scams and inconsistent service quality. For Chinah, seamless financial experiences are not aspirational—they’re non-negotiable. “We want to make seamless financial transactions a measurable reality for every user, every time,” he said.
Outlook: Scaling With Vision and Purpose
With Chimene Chinah now at the helm, Dantown is set to deepen its role in the digital finance revolution unfolding in Nigeria and beyond. The company’s pivot toward regulatory compliance, global usability, and product diversification positions it well for long-term sustainability.
Dantown’s ambitions reflect a broader trend in African fintech: local startups evolving into international powerhouses by solving regional pain points with global-grade innovation. As digital asset use continues to surge in Nigeria, Dantown’s comprehensive approach—from trading and payments to talent development—could make it a standout success story in the global fintech arena.
The leadership change is more than just a new appointment—it signals a deliberate move toward scale, credibility, and financial inclusion at a level the region has not yet seen.
