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How Seychelles Quietly Became Africa’s Blockchain Hub

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How Seychelles Quietly Became Africa’s Blockchain Hub

In a year marked by a global dip in venture capital funding, Seychelles is quietly leading Africa’s blockchain race. Despite its small size and limited local market, the island nation attracted 31% of all blockchain funding across Africa in 2025, securing over US $38 million in deals.

This isn’t a one-off. For the fourth year in a row, Seychelles has either led or closely followed South Africa in blockchain deal value. In 2022, Seychelles drew a staggering US $209 million, accounting for 43% of all blockchain VC activity on the continent. Even as total investment volumes declined in 2023 and 2024, the country consistently punched above its weight, maintaining investor confidence amid global uncertainty.

The secret? Legal clarity. While many African nations are still figuring out how to regulate digital assets, Seychelles has offered a stable, predictable legal framework. Alongside South Africa, it’s one of the few countries where investors feel confident about the rules of engagement. This has made Seychelles a preferred destination for blockchain companies to register and operate from—even when their markets span the globe.

Top-tier players like KuCoin, Beldex, Bitget, and Scroll have all chosen Seychelles for their legal base. This signals not just activity, but high-value strategic incorporation. KuCoin’s $150 million mega-deal in 2022, which pushed it into unicorn status, and Scroll’s follow-up raise, are standout examples of Seychelles’ growing pull for serious capital.

Interestingly, Nigeria led the continent in deal volume in 2025, but Seychelles surpassed it in total deal value. This trend reflects a shift in investor priorities: larger investments in fewer, more compliant ventures. While the volume of deals may be higher in other countries, the big money is going where there’s a strong legal foundation and long-term security.

Despite this momentum, Africa’s blockchain ecosystem is still in its early days, attracting only about 1% of global blockchain VC funding. However, Seychelles shows what’s possible. With the right policy environment, even a small economy can position itself as a regional hub for innovation and capital.

For other African governments and regulators, the takeaway is clear: clarity, compliance, and investor confidence go hand in hand. As global players look for stable jurisdictions, countries that move fast to define digital asset frameworks will be best positioned to attract capital, talent, and long-term economic gains.