The Federal Government has warned Nigerians against investing in the crypto token of music star, David Adeleke, better known as Davido.

Last month, Davido announced the launch of the crypto token or memecoin inspired by himself.

The digital currency, known as “Timeless Davido” ($DAVIDO), sparked excitement among the singer’s fans and supporters.

Davido worked with the main blockchain platforms Phantom and Solana to complete the proposal.

Initially, $DAVIDO skyrocketed, hitting a market cap of $10 million in four hours and gaining momentum on DEX Screener.

The jubilation was however short-lived, as the coin’s value dropped on Thursday.

Hours after being called out by a significant number of disgruntled X users, the former DMW head welcomed everyone who joined the $DAVIDO community early on.

He further said that some people were fortunate enough to win $100 via the Solana platform.

But in a statement on Friday, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) warned the public that investing in the meme coin is highly risky.

The commission pointed out that it does not recognize $Davido as an investment product or investable asset class under its regulatory purview.

“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.” (Daily Trust)

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