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From $6B in 2016, Bitcoin's market capitalisation witnessed exponential growth (337 times), achieving over $2.0T in Jan 2025
  • Bitcoin’s market cap grew from $6B in 2016 to $2T in 2025 — a 337x increase.
  • In 2021, Bitcoin’s market value peaked at $1.1T before reaching $1.2T in 2022.
  • Bitcoin experienced a sharp drop to around $525B in 2023.
  • Its recovery was strong in 2024, with the market cap rising again to $1.4T.
  • Despite periodic dips, the long-term chart shows a consistent upward growth trend.

Zenith Bank remained Nigeria's most profitable bank in 2024, with a profit after tax (PAT) of ₦1.03 trillion, a 53% increase from the 2023 value
Key takeaways:
  • Zenith Bank Plc led the profitability ranking with a Profit After Tax (PAT) of ₦1.03 trillion.
  • Guaranty Trust Holding Company followed closely with ₦1.02 trillion in PAT.
  • Each of the top six banks recorded profits exceeding ₦600 billion.
  • The total PAT for the top ten banks rose by 53%, from ₦3.39 trillion in 2023 to ₦5.54 trillion in 2024.
  • FCMB Group Plc was the only bank among the top ten to record a year-on-year decline in PAT.
  • Ecobank, First Holdco, Fidelity Bank, and Wema Bank each recorded over 100% growth in PAT compared to 2023.

Ecobank is now Nigeria’s largest publicly listed bank by total assets, after a 67% surge, dethroning Access Holdings in 2024
Key takeaways:
  • Ecobank Transnational Incorporated ranks first with total assets of ₦43.3 trillion, marking a 67% increase from 2023.
  • Access Holdings Plc ranked the second-largest bank in 2024, as against the first in 2023.
  • The combined assets of the top five banks amount to ₦171.6 trillion, a 55% increase from 2023.
  • These five institutions represent the largest players in Nigeria’s banking sector by total assets as of 2023 and 2024.
  • The increase in total assets of the top ten banks ranges from 34% to 67% year on year.
  • The assets of the top ten listed public banks rose by 54% in 2024.

Five of Africa's top ten most profitable banks in 2024 are South African
Key takeaways:
  • Africa's ten most profitable banking institutions are concentrated in South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria.
  • South African and Egyptian banks claim the first five positions among Africa's most profitable banks.
  • Nigeria's banking sector shows resilience, with three of its "FUGAZ" banks securing positions in the continental top ten.
  • The average profit after tax among Africa's top ten profitable banks reached $867 million.
  • The four most profitable banks in Africa each exceeded $1 billion in profit after tax.

Lesotho's external debt stock (DOD) saw a gradual increase from 2014 to 2020, with a slight decline in recent years
  • Lesotho's external debt stock grew from $912.1 million in 2014 to $1.74 billion in 2020.
  • The most significant increase in debt occurred between 2015 and 2016, when the debt surged from $952.6 million to $1.36 billion.
  • After 2020, external debt levels started to stabilise, with only a slight decline from $1.83 billion in 2021 to $1.78 billion in 2023.
  • Despite the recent stabilisation, Lesotho’s external debt remains relatively high, indicating a need for debt sustainability and fiscal management.

Men dominate crypto ownership, making up 61% of global users (342.8M people), while women account for 39% (219.2M people)
  • Men hold the majority share in crypto adoption (61%), indicating that the industry is still male-dominated despite growing female participation.
  • Over 219M women own crypto globally, showing that female adoption is increasing but still lags behind male ownership.
  • With 6.8% of the world’s population involved in crypto, adoption is growing, but there is still massive untapped potential, especially among women.
  • Bridging the gender gap could drive the next wave of crypto adoption, and greater financial inclusion and education could encourage more women to enter the space.

Sterling Bank has evolved through mergers, acquisitions and strategic evolution
  • Sterling Bank's origins trace back to 1960 as Nigeria Acceptances Limited, later becoming the first merchant bank in 1969
  • In 2006, NAL Bank merged with four other banks, forming Sterling Bank as it is known today
  • Sterling explored several merger opportunities, including with Ecobank in 2008 and FirstRand in 2011, but these plans did not materialise
  • In 2023, Sterling transitioned into a holding company structure, spinning off its alternative finance arm as a standalone entity, AltBank
  • The bank began raising fresh capital in 2024, with shareholders approving a ₦200 billion equity capital raise and  securing a $50 million private placement as part of its recapitalisation

The evolving brand of Nigeria’s oldest banking institution
  • FirstBank has undergone multiple transformations since its establishment in 1894, adapting to industry shifts and regulatory changes.
  • The bank transitioned from foreign ownership to local incorporation in 1969, aligning with Nigeria’s indigenisation policy.
  • Structural and branding changes continued, including its rebranding to First Bank of Nigeria in 1979 and restructuring into a holding company in 2012.
  • Recent developments include FBN Holdings’ name change to FirstHoldCo and the bank’s planned relocation of its headquarters to Eko Atlantic City in 2025.

South America experienced the highest crypto ownership growth at 116.5%, more than 2x in one year
  • South America led in growth, surging by 116.5%, signaling rapid adoption in emerging markets.
  • Europe and Oceania also saw explosive growth, with 60.3% and 114.3% increases, respectively.
  • Asia remained dominant, with the highest number of owners, growing to 326.8M in 2024.
  • Africa showed the slowest growth (8.5%), suggesting possible barriers like regulation or adoption hurdles.

Polaris Bank has demonstrated remarkable resilience and a commitment to innovation
Key takeaways:
  • Polaris Bank traces its roots back to the establishment of Prudent Bank Plc in 1989.
  • Prudent Merchant Bank Limited merged with Bond Bank Limited, EIB International Bank Plc, Reliance Bank Limited, and Co-operative Bank Plc to create Skye Bank Plc.
  • In 2014, Skye Bank Plc acquired Mainstreet Bank Limited.
  • The Central Bank of Nigeria revoked Skye Bank's operating license in 2018, and Polaris Bank Limited subsequently took over its assets and liabilities.

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