Key Use Cases
1. Currency Swaps
Many businesses and individuals in Africa and other emerging markets struggle with slow, expensive cross-border transactions. Traditional methods (SWIFT, Western Union) are inefficient, forcing reliance on informal "black market" FX solutions.
Shiga’s OTC Desk solves this by offering:
Seamless blockchain access – No need for crypto wallets or technical expertise.
Regulatory compliance – Transactions occur via bank accounts in your name, avoiding P2P risks.
Speed & efficiency – Transactions settle same-day, with SWIFT confirmations provided within 24 hours.
Common Swap Scenarios:
Payments: Convert local currency to USD/EUR/GBP for international suppliers.
Operational liquidity: Manage balances across different regions or consolidate revenue into a primary account.
2. Crypto On/Off-Ramping
Global crypto regulations remain uncertain, with exchanges facing bans (e.g., Nigeria) and users encountering banking restrictions.
Shiga’s solution:
Virtual accounts (USD, EUR, GBP) – Linked to digital wallets, allowing on/off-ramping without exchange reliance.
Licensed intermediaries – Where virtual accounts aren’t available, transactions route through regulated entities to minimize risk.
Benefits:
Avoid exchange-related banking issues.
Maintain tax and compliance transparency.
Seamlessly move between fiat and crypto.
Supported Transaction Routes
Shiga’s OTC desk facilitates currency swaps and crypto conversions across multiple jurisdictions:
Currency | Country | Blockchain Support? | Currency Swap | On/Off-Ramp |
BWP | Botswana | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
XAF | Cameroon, Congo, Gabon | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
CDF | Congo | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
GHS | Ghana | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
KES | Kenya | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
MWK | Malawi | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
NGN | Nigeria | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
RWF | Rwanda | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
ZAR | South Africa | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
TZS | Tanzania | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
UGX | Uganda | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
XOF | Senegal, Mali, Togo, Burkina, Benin | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
ZMW | Zambia | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
GBP | UK | ✅ | 1st Party | ✅ |
USD | USA | ✅ | 1st Party | ✅ |
EUR | Eurozone | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
INR | India | ✅ | 1st Party | ✅ |
PKR | Pakistan | ✅ | 1st Party | ✅ |
AED | UAE | ✅ | 1st & 3rd Party | ✅ |
Why Choose Shiga’s OTC/STS Desk?
✔ Compliance-first approach – Reducing regulatory risks associated with P2P and unregulated FX.
✔ Speed & reliability – Same-day settlements, avoiding traditional banking delays.
✔ Expanding global reach – Continuous addition of new currencies and jurisdictions.
✔ Institutional-grade liquidity – Deep liquidity pools for large transactions.