VALR: Pioneering Crypto Innovations in South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa, December 23rd, 2025, Chainwire
South Africa has emerged as a global leader in crypto innovation, establishing one of the most robust regulatory frameworks in the world. Since April 2024, over 300 crypto asset service providers have secured licenses, with VALR being one of the pioneering exchanges to obtain such credentials. Recently, VALR acquired an Over-the-Counter Derivatives Provider (ODP) license from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), empowering it to offer a diverse range of derivatives—including Contracts for Difference (CFDs), Futures Contracts, Options, Forwards, and Swaps—all utilizing crypto assets as the underlying. This is a groundbreaking development for financial service providers in South Africa.
Expanding User Base and Offering
In 2025, VALR witnessed remarkable growth, boasting over 1.7 million registered users and a vibrant community of hundreds of thousands of active users each month. The platform has expanded its offerings significantly, now listing more than 100 crypto assets available for trading. The most popular pairs on VALR—USDT/ZAR, BTC/ZAR, and XRP/ZAR—indicate strong market demand and user engagement.
The evolution of VALR extends far beyond its original exchange services. The platform now facilitates payments at over 31,000 stores and 700,000 locations across South Africa. Integrating with Zapper, Scan-to-Pay, and Peach Payments enables users to utilize the VALR app for seamless transactions. Additionally, VALR has introduced features for users to earn yields on their crypto through lending and staking, enhancing financial opportunities for its community.
Rewarding Users with Innovative Incentives
A standout feature of VALR this year has been its commitment to rewarding users. In 2025 alone, users earned over $1 million through staking, lending, airdrops, promotions, and trading competitions. This approach not only enhances user engagement but also emphasizes the platform’s dedication to creating a rewarding financial ecosystem.
Farzam Ehsani, VALR’s Co-Founder and CEO, encapsulated the company’s mission: “We’ve worked to build a comprehensive platform that serves everyone—individuals and institutions alike. We’ve simplified our app and website, making it accessible for all, while also providing advanced API capabilities for corporate clients.”
Bridging the Gap: Crypto and Traditional Finance
The progressive convergence of crypto and traditional finance has gained significant momentum, particularly in 2025. Real World Assets (RWAs) are becoming increasingly prominent, allowing tokens issued on the blockchain to represent assets such as gold and real estate. This innovation vastly improves access to global markets and offers individuals exposure to investment opportunities previously deemed inaccessible.
In line with this trend, VALR launched Africa’s first tokenized private credit asset, the Garrington Capital USD Private Credit Token (USDPC), in July. This innovation allows retail investors to tap into the North American high-yield private credit market. Following this, VALR introduced xStocks, enabling users to gain exposure to top U.S. stocks and index funds, making it the first crypto exchange in Africa to offer such products.
Badi Sudhakaran, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer, noted the company’s commitment to financial access: “Our innovations aim to serve the needs of customers at all levels, making finance fair and financial instruments accessible so everyone can confidently take control of their financial freedom and independence.”
Institutional Adoption and Collaborations
As 2025 progressed, institutional interest in crypto surged dramatically, particularly in the U.S. With giants like BlackRock and Vanguard entering the space, companies have increasingly viewed Bitcoin as a viable asset for their treasuries. South Africa is no exception, with VALR collaborating with leading institutions to create the necessary crypto infrastructure for them to deliver innovative products.
One notable partnership with Mukuru has significantly improved access to US dollar stablecoins across the African continent. Moreover, VALR is actively facilitating the development of crypto asset services for several prominent banks in the region.
Engaging the Community
VALR has taken proactive steps to raise awareness about crypto’s potential to transform lives. In a strategic move, the exchange signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with the DHL Stormers rugby team, prominently featuring its logo on team kits and at DHL Stadium. In an innovative promotional campaign, VALR even flew a helicopter across the country, displaying a banner that reads, “Crypto For Everyone.”
Farzam Ehsani emphasizes this community commitment: “We’re dedicated to a world where finance unites us, turning opportunity into a right for all. Heading into 2026, we look at the opportunities before us—not just for VALR and our users, but for the nation and the world.”
About VALR
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Johannesburg, VALR has rapidly become a global crypto exchange supported by strategic investments from renowned entities like Pantera Capital and Coinbase Ventures. Licensed by South Africa’s FSCA and with regulatory approval in Europe, VALR offers an extensive suite of financial products, including Spot and Futures Trading, Staking, Lending, and more. Committed to fostering a fair financial future, VALR serves over 1.7 million users and 1,800 corporate clients worldwide.
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Email: press@valr.com