Where To Buy Crypto In South Africa? 7 Best Platforms (2024)

With cryptocurrencies exploding in popularity worldwide, many South Africans are looking to gain exposure by purchasing top coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

However, crypto can still be daunting for beginners not familiar with how to buy, store and trade digital assets securely.

This guide will outline the major exchanges available for South Africans to easily buy and sell leading cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple and more.

We’ll cover key factors like payment methods, trading fees, security features and additional services to help you choose the best platform tailored to your needs as a South African user.

Whether you’re a beginner or professional trader, there are great options with liquidity, competitive rates, and easy onboarding so you can confidently buy into the leading cryptos driving this exciting market.

Where To Buy Crypto In South Africa?

Luno
VALR
AltCoinTrader
Coindirect
OVEX
Binance
Crypto.com

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Luno

Luno is one of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges in South Africa. Here are some key things to know about buying crypto on Luno:

Luno supports buying, selling and storing Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH). These are among the most widely-used cryptocurrencies globally.
Getting started is easy. You can download the Luno app on your phone or create an account on the Luno website. Registration just requires an email address, phone number and proof of identity.
Luno has a simple and user-friendly interface. This makes it appealing for beginners getting started with crypto trading.
There are multiple order types available: market orders, limit orders and stop orders. This gives traders flexibility in how to buy and sell.
Luno offers a wallet to store your cryptocurrencies securely after purchase. The Luno wallet can be used for purchases or sending/receiving crypto.
Security features like two-factor authentication, encryption and cold storage help protect user accounts and funds.
Low fees of around 1% or less per trade make Luno an affordable crypto trading option. There are no deposit, withdrawal or monthly account fees.
Luno supports bank transfers via EFT as the main payment method for South African users. You can also use credit/debit cards but fees are higher.
Luno has high liquidity among South African exchanges. There are typically strong trading volumes and tight spreads.

Overall, Luno is a great option to start buying popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum with low fees and an easy-to-use platform.

The Luno wallet also makes it simple to store and manage your crypto after purchase.

VALR

VALR is a leading South African cryptocurrency exchange that allows you to buy, sell, store and transfer digital currencies simply and securely.

Here are some key things to know:

VALR supports trading of over 40 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Litecoin (LTC) and more. This gives you a wide selection.
Getting set up takes just minutes. You can register an account online and complete ID verification and bank account validation.
VALR has excellent liquidity due to its connection with global exchanges via their API. This ensures tight spreads and the ability to buy/sell instantly.
User experience is a key focus. VALR has an intuitive interface and focus on education to help users trade effectively.
Multiple order types such as market, limit and stop-loss orders are supported. This caters to both casual and advanced traders.
Low trading fees of just 0.1% – 0.2% depending on volume tiers make VALR a very affordable option. There are no deposit or withdrawal fees.
A built-in VALR Wallet enables easy, secure storage of your cryptocurrencies after purchase.
VALR offers OTC (over-the-counter) trading for large volume trades. This caters to institutional investors and high net worth individuals.
Support for instant EFT deposits and withdrawals makes the funding process with South African banks seamless.

Overall, VALR delivers an excellent combination of selection, liquidity, user experience and pricing that makes it a top choice for buying and selling crypto in South Africa.

AltCoinTrader

AltCoinTrader is a leading South African cryptocurrency exchange that allows you to buy, sell and store a wide range of digital currencies.

Here are some key details:

AltCoinTrader supports over 100 different cryptocurrencies including all majors like Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Litecoin as well as smaller cap altcoins.
Registration is quick and easy with an email, password, and verification of your phone number and identity.
The trading interface is user-friendly with market, limit and stop-loss orders supported. Charts, order books and coin data help inform trading decisions.
Security features like two-factor authentication, encryption, cold storage and DDoS protection are in place to protect user accounts and funds.
AltCoinTrader offers a built-in wallet to store your crypto securely after purchase. Wallet supports staking capabilities for eligible coins.
Fund your account via EFT bank transfer or credit card. Bank deposits are free but credit card fees are ~5%. Trading fees are very competitive at 0.5%-1% per trade.
OTC trading is available for large volume buyers that need privacy, competitive rates and personal service.
Additional services like staking, lending and earning interest provide alternatives to just trading coins. This allows users to maximize returns.
Liquidity is derived from major exchanges to ensure stable pricing and ability to buy/sell instantly for most major cryptos.

Overall, AltCoinTrader is an excellent option for buying a diverse range of cryptocurrencies at competitive rates with a secure, easy-to-use interface tailored for South African users.

Coindirect

Coindirect is a cryptocurrency exchange that makes it easy for South Africans to buy, sell, and trade a wide variety of popular digital currencies. Here are some key features:

Coindirect allows trading of over 80 cryptocurrencies including majors like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, XRP as well as smaller cap DeFi coins and stablecoins.
Getting started only takes a few minutes. You simply register with an email address, complete KYC verification, and link your bank account.
The trading interface has been designed for simplicity and ease-of-use. Key data like order books, charts, and balances enable informed trading.
Convenient payment methods include bank transfer (EFT) and credit card payments. EFT deposits and withdrawals are free for South African users.
Security is a priority with cold storage, SSL encryption, and two-factor authentication used to secure accounts and funds.
Low trading fees starting from just 0.5% make frequent trading affordable. There are no deposit or withdrawal fees.
Additional features like staking, rebalancing tools, and savings accounts provide more ways to maximize your crypto investments.
OTC (over-the-counter) services facilitate large trades for institutional investors with personalized service and competitive rates.
Coindirect offers excellent customer support via email, phone, and chat which is a plus for new users.

Coindirect delivers a stellar combination of selection, security, user experience and pricing for South Africans looking to buy, sell and trade cryptocurrencies.

UPDATE: The Coindirect Retail Platform is no longer trading or accepting new sign-ups. If you have any questions or outstanding requests, please contact our support team:

OVEX

OVEX is a leading South African cryptocurrency exchange that offers a streamlined platform to buy, sell and store digital currencies.

Here are some key details:

OVEX offers trading in over 45 cryptocurrencies including majors like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple as well as DeFi tokens and stablecoins.
Account creation is simple with just an email address and password needed. Users must complete KYC verification before trading.
The OVEX web trading interface provides real-time market data, intuitive charts and order management tools to support trading.
Convenient payment methods include bank transfer (EFT), credit/debit cards, OTC and SWIFT options. This caters to both small and large traders.
Strong security practices include cold storage, 2FA authentication, encryption and other measures to protect user assets and data.
Competitive trading fees start from just 0.35% for takers and 0.1% for makers. Deposits and withdrawals are free.
OVEX offers a built-in non-custodial wallet to store purchased cryptocurrencies. Users control private keys.
Additional features like staking, rebalancing tools, and savings accounts provide options beyond just trading.
Dedicated account managers provide personalized service for larger traders needing OTC services or other special requirements.

Overall, OVEX offers a secure and regulated platform tailored for South Africans to conveniently buy, sell and store cryptocurrencies at competitive rates.

Binance

Binance is one of the largest global cryptocurrency exchanges that also offers an easy way for South Africans to buy and trade digital currencies.

Key features include:

Binance supports over 500 different crypto coins and tokens including all the major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple and more.
Registration just requires an email address and password. Users must complete identity verification before being able to trade.
The Binance trading platform and mobile apps provide advanced charting tools, order books and market data to support trading decisions.
Multiple order types like limit, market, stop-limit are available for flexibility. Low fees from 0.1% make frequent trading affordable.
Convenient payment options include bank transfer, credit card, P2P trading and more. This provides easy on-ramps for South Africans.
A high liquidity pool across Binance markets results in stable pricing and ability to buy/sell instantly even during volatility.
Strong security features include SAFU funds protection, 2FA, encryption and more to safeguard user assets.
The Binance wallet allows secure storage of your crypto assets after purchase. Or you can withdraw to an external wallet.
Additional services like staking, savings accounts, loans, DeFi and NFT marketplace provide a full-suite crypto experience.

Binance provides a world-class crypto trading platform combined with an easy way for South Africans to fund accounts and access liquid markets for top cryptocurrencies.

Crypto.com

Crypto.com offers a beginner-friendly platform for South Africans to buy and sell popular cryptocurrencies.

Key features include:

Crypto.com supports over 150 cryptocurrencies including majors like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple as well as smaller cap DeFi tokens.
Registration is simple with just an email address and identity verification required before trading.
The mobile app provides access to Crypt.com’s exchange and wallet functions with a simple and intuitive interface.
Multiple order types are supported including market, limit, stop limit and more. Fees range from 0.4% to 0.1% based on trading volume.
Convenient payment methods for South African users include credit/debit card as well as peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers.
The built-in non-custodial wallet allows secure storage of purchased cryptocurrencies or seamless transfers to external wallets.
Education resources like how-to guides, research reports and dedicated help center assist new users in learning about crypto.
Additional features include staking rewards, crypto earn programs, loans, prepaid cards and more beyond just a trading exchange.
High liquidity across markets ensures stable pricing, tight spreads and ability to buy/sell instantly even during volatility.

Crypto.com provides an easy-to-use platform tailored for beginners to buy, sell and store major cryptocurrencies along with educational resources to learn.

Key Takeaways

Leading crypto exchanges like Luno, VALR, AltCoinTrader, Coindirect, OVEX, Binance and Crypto.com make it easy for South Africans to buy and sell popular cryptocurrencies.
Registration is simple with most exchanges, requiring just an email, password and identity verification to get started.
Exchanges support convenient payment methods for South Africans including bank transfer (EFT), credit/debit cards, P2P trading and OTC services.
Many exchanges offer built-in non-custodial wallets to securely store purchased crypto assets or seamlessly transfer to external wallets.
Competitive trading fees ranging from 0.1% to 1% as well as zero deposit/withdrawal fees make crypto trading affordable.
Security features like cold storage, 2FA authentication and encryption are used to protect user accounts and funds by reputable exchanges.
Additional services like staking, lending, rewards programs and DeFi access provide more options beyond just buying/selling crypto.
Strong liquidity, tight spreads and multiple order types cater to both casual traders and professionals needing more advanced capabilities.