The Securities and Exchange Commission,(SEC) has warned the public against investing in the meme coin “$Davido”, allegedly linked to popular Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.
SEC in a statement posted on it’s website on Friday said it does not recognise the Meme Coins as an investment product or investable asset class under its regulatory purview.
The regulator noted that, consequently, individuals who invest in it do so at their own risk.
“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,” it said.
According to SEC, meme coins are 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.
The commission listed such capital market products as: shares, debentures, units of collective investment schemes, derivatives contracts, commodities or other kinds of financial instruments or investments.
The regulator said: “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 recognise $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 statement read.
The SEC said it will keep a close watch on market developments and is ready to step in with regulatory action as needed. The commission further explained, “Generally, meme coins are cryptocurrencies inspired by memes and internet jokes. They are often envisaged as 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 a 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 music star unveiled a meme coin called $Davido on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
