Digital asset and payments company, Zenaex, has launched a platform combining cryptocurrency trading with everyday financial services, targeting users in Nigeria and selected African markets.

The platform enables users to buy, sell and swap digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC, while providing access to services such as airtime and data purchases, electricity bill payments, gift card transactions, eSIM purchases and withdrawals to bank accounts.

The launch comes amid efforts by digital finance companies to integrate cryptocurrency with conventional financial services, making it easier for users to convert digital assets into funds for everyday transactions.

According to the company, the platform was developed to address challenges associated with transaction costs, settlement delays and the movement of funds between cryptocurrency wallets and bank accounts.

Olamide Ajibola, chief executive officer and co-founder of Zenaex, said the company had partnered with key players in the digital asset ecosystem to integrate trading and payment services on a single platform.

“At Zenaex, we facilitate your cryptocurrency and other digital asset transactions. We have partnered with key institutions in the digital asset ecosystem to build a one-stop crypto centre, so you get to trade on the platform itself, with clear pricing and no hidden charges,” Ajibola said.

He added that the platform was designed to facilitate withdrawals to users’ bank accounts within minutes, although actual transaction times may depend on the services involved.

The company said the platform supports withdrawals to bank accounts in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa, subject to service availability.

Beyond cryptocurrency trading, users can purchase airtime and mobile data, pay electricity bills, buy international eSIMs and transact in gift cards associated with brands such as Amazon, iTunes and Steam.

Zenaex also offers an over-the-counter service for customers seeking to execute larger cryptocurrency transactions. According to the company, users can negotiate prices directly with its trading desk through a chat feature.

The integration of these services is intended to enable customers to carry out multiple financial transactions through one application, reducing the need to switch between different platforms.

Temitayo Siwoniku, chief strategy officer and co-founder of Zenaex, said the company was focused on improving transaction transparency, speed and accountability.

“Zenaex exists because paying should be as fast as the decision behind it. When money is stuck, the cost is not only financial. It is the bill that goes unpaid and the family member who waits,” Siwoniku said.

“Our promise is simple: your money moves when you ask it to, you can see where it is, and we will be accountable for every step,” he added.

The company said it had prioritised transparent pricing, transaction-status visibility and security measures aimed at protecting users’ funds and personal information.

However, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on the platform’s transaction reliability, customer support and ability to resolve failed payments and disputes.

The growing use of stablecoins, including USDT and USDC, has increased interest in digital assets that are designed to maintain a relatively stable value against reference assets, usually the United States dollar.

Such assets are increasingly used for digital transactions and cross-border transfers, providing users with an alternative means of holding and moving dollar-linked value.

However, stablecoins are not without risks, as their use involves potential operational, counterparty and regulatory challenges. Access to local currency also depends on the availability and terms of conversion services.

For Zenaex, the integration of cryptocurrency trading and everyday payments could attract users seeking convenient ways to manage and spend their digital assets.

Its long-term prospects will depend on the reliability of its services, the confidence of users and its ability to meet applicable regulatory requirements in the markets where it operates.

The company said the platform was now live, with further information available on its website, zenaex.com