Easiest and cheapest ways to buy crypto in South Africa
Getting bitcoins in South Africa is not an easy task as not all popular crypto exchanges are available to South African citizens. This is a current list of bitcoin exchanges that allow users from South Africa to buy crypto. They all support buying crypto with credit/debit cards but some of them offer other payment methods as well.
👛 Ease of Use – Medium 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB
Binance is widely considered the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world. It was launched in July of 2017 and in a short period of time became the exchange with the largest trading volume with more than $10 billion on a daily basis.
How did Binance become so big so quickly? There are various reasons – low trading fees, professional attitude, the large number of cryptocurrencies supported by the platform, and friendly and transparent CEO. Some of the features available on Binance are Earn (locked and fixed savings, DeFi staking, and yield farming), Pool (join their mining and staking pools and earn rewards for keeping your chosen blockchains safe), Liquid swap, Liquidity pools, Automated trading bots, spot trading, futures and margin trading, and P2P trading.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Vary from crypto to crypto ⚡️ Trading fees: 0.1% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Debit Card, Credit Card, SWIFT, Bank Transfer (SEPA), and more ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB, and 15+ more
High liquidity It supports a large number of crypto assets Widely considered the largest crypto platform Various advanced features and services One of the lowest fees among top exchanges
Not available in the US Not fully registered Hacked in 2019
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP + more
eToro is a comprehensive trading platform that provides access to a range of financial instruments, such as stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and CFDs. The platform charges a transparent 1% fee for cryptocurrency transactions, with no fees for ETFs and stocks, although ETFs may have their own internal costs.
Forex and CFD fees are competitive, and eToro offers complimentary stock and ETF trading. Available in numerous countries, eToro has a list of blocked countries, including Afghanistan, Belarus, and China. The platform supports trading in over 30 cryptocurrencies in the US and nearly 80 internationally, with popular options like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. A 0.1% fee is charged for crypto-to-crypto conversions. eToro’s user-friendly mobile app and social trading feature, which allows users to replicate the trades of successful traders, are notable highlights.
The platform is available in numerous countries, with a list of blocked countries that includes Afghanistan, Belarus, and China. eToro supports trading in over 30 cryptocurrencies in the US and nearly 80 internationally, with popular options like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Dogecoin. A 0.1% fee is charged for crypto-to-crypto conversions. eToro’s user-friendly mobile app and social trading feature, which allows users to replicate the trades of successful traders, are notable highlights.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: $5 ⚡️ Trading fees: 0.75 % – 4.9 % spread depending on the cryptocurrency ⚡️ Payment Methods: 15+ (MasterCard, Visa, EWallets, etc.) ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, and 20+ more
“Virtual Hub” feature It is regulated Several security measures Easy-to-use
Luno serves upcoming markets that lack local cryptocurrency exchanges and as such has a strong presence in presence in South Africa, Singapore, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – High 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
Coinmama is one of the oldest exchanges in the cryptocurrency world, having been established in 2013 by Laurence Newman, Nimrod Gruber, and Ilan Schuster. The company’s headquarters are located in Slovakia and Ireland.
Coinmama is an exchange that serves over 1.5 million users in over 150 countries and has a team of over 40 employees. Its user-friendly interface makes it an ideal choice for those new to cryptocurrency. When you buy coins through Coinmama, they are transferred directly to your own non-custodial wallet, rather than being held in Coinmama’s own wallets.
⚡️ Deposit fees: 0 – 5 % ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: None ⚡️ Trading fees: 2.9 – 3.9 % ⚡️ Payment Methods: Bank Transfer (SEPA), SWIFT, Fedwire, Bank cards, Open Banking, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Skrill ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
Beginner-friendly interface Available almost worldwide Various ways to deposit Simple to use No withdrawal fee
No mobile app and no staking No phone number for customer support
Best Bitcoin Wallets in South Africa
It is never a good idea to keep your coins on an exchange as that exposes you to numerous risks (exchange hacks, fund freezes by the exchange or some government regulatory body, etc). That is why you should use one of the wallets we list below to store your digital assets.
But, which bitcoin wallet is available in this country?
The safest option is a hardware wallet like Nano X but ZenGo is also a good choice, especially for newcomers.
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – High 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, RUB
Cex.io is one of the oldest exchanges in the crypto world. It was launched in 2013 as a Bitcoin exchange and cloud mining provider, but today it is a global multi-functional crypto platform with over 4 million users.
CEX.IO is a regulated global cryptocurrency exchange that offers a range of services including spot trading, margin trading, staking, leverage, lending, and savings. The platform supports over 100 digital currencies and tokens and is available in almost all countries and 48 states in the US. It is suitable for both experienced traders and beginners, but may be overwhelming for those new to crypto due to the number of products and services offered. CEX.IO has over 4 million users and is known for its regulatory compliance, but it has lower liquidity compared to some other leading exchanges. It is important to note that cryptocurrency exchanges are not members of the Securities Investor Protection Corp. (SIPC), so investors using a custodial exchange could potentially lose their funds as unsecured creditors.
Reputation is high Longevity on the crypto market Over 4 million users Advanced features such as spot trading, margin trading, staking as a service, crypto loans, and savings accounts
Extensive Verification Process to Increase Purchasing Limits
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD + 20 more
KuCoin, founded in 2017, has carved a niche for itself. Operating out of Hong Kong, this exchange is celebrated for its vast array of over 600 cryptocurrencies, ensuring that both mainstream and emerging coins are accessible to traders
Their in-house trading platform, renowned for its user-friendly design, caters to both novices and experts, providing a seamless trading journey. A unique feature that sets KuCoin apart is its profit-sharing model, where holders of KuCoin Shares (KCS) are rewarded with 50% of the platform’s trading fees. In addition to its extensive crypto offerings, KuCoin supports a whopping 50 fiat currencies, further simplifying the trading process.
With advanced trading options like futures and margin trading, it’s no wonder that KuCoin has a presence in 200+ countries, with a significant user base in Asia, the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: 0 – 16$ (average) ⚡️ Trading fees: 0 – 0.1 % ⚡️ Payment Methods: Debit and Credit card, Apple and Google Pay ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD + 20 more
Wide range of coins Low fees Mobile App (Android and iOS) No forced KYC 10+ M users Innovative and quick to add new features
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Average 👛 Verification – 2-3 Days 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD
Established in 2011, Kraken has carved a niche for itself as a trusted and reliable crypto exchange. It boasts support for an impressive roster of over 220 digital assets, encompassing major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and many others. Security has always been a cornerstone for Kraken, making it a go-to choice for many.
Its global footprint is vast, covering a majority of countries with only a few exceptions such as Iran and Washington state. On the convenience front, Kraken doesn’t disappoint. Users have a wide array of payment options at their disposal, and the platform is also flexible when it comes to fiat currency transactions. Additionally, seasoned traders can leverage advanced features to optimize their trading strategies.
⚡️ Deposit fees: EUR SEPA Deposit (Free) – EEA countries only USD Bank Wire Deposit ($5 USD) – US onlyEUR Bank Wire Deposit (€10) – outside the US only USD Bank Wire Deposit ($10 USD) – outside US onlyJPY Bank deposit (Free, ¥5,000 deposit minimum) – Japan-only USD, Wire Deposit (Free) ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Cryptocurrency: Fees vary, SEPA Withdrawal (€0.09) – EEA countries only USD Bank Wire Withdrawal ($5 USD) – US only USD Bank Wire Withdrawal ($60 USD) – outside US onlyEUR Bank Wire Withdrawal (€60) – outside US onlyJPY Bank withdrawal (¥20) – Japan onlyCAD EFT Withdrawal ($10 CAD) ⚡️ Trading fees: Maker: 0.16%Taker: 0.28% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Fedwire, Bank Transfer (SEPA), SWIFT, Wire Transfer, Etana Custody, Silvergate Exchange Network (SEN), FPS, CHAPS, and BACS, PayID, Osko ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD
Available almost worldwide High security Over 90 cryptocurrencies Various payment methods
Fees slightly above the industry average No tax support
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP
Founded in 2011, Bitstamp has carved its niche as a leading cryptocurrency exchange. It takes pride in being the most enduring crypto exchange, recognized for its minimal fees, dependable operations, and straightforward user experience. While Bitstamp’s offerings span across over 100 countries, certain services might be limited based on the region.
The exchange’s leadership comprises seven experts with profound knowledge in both the traditional and modern decentralized financial sectors. Bitstamp provides support for a diverse range of over 80 digital currencies, including the widely used Tether (USDT).
Yet, exchanges like Coinbase offer an even broader array, with over 150 digital assets. In terms of global reach, the Bitstamp app is accessible in numerous countries, from Argentina to the Bahamas. For European Union residents, the platform also allows prompt crypto acquisitions using credit and debit cards.
⚡️ Deposit fees: 0 – 5 % ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Sepa – 3 EUR, ACH – Free, Credit cards – 5%, International wire – 0.1%, and crypto – depends on the asset (0.0005 BTC) ⚡️ Trading fees: 0 – 0.5 % ⚡️ Payment Methods: Credit/Debit Card, ACH Transfer, SEPA, USD Wallet, Faster Payments, and International Wire. ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP
A simple interface where you can buy crypto with just a few clicks Dedicated Customer Support Competitive fees Easy-to-use
Hacked in 2015 No margin or leverage trading The staking program has restrictions
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, and CNH
Founded in 2012, this exchange from the British Virgin Islands represents one of the oldest crypto exchanges in the community. The large ecosystem of crypto products and trading options (spot trading, margin trading, derivatives, paper trading, and more) makes Bitfinex one of the most popular exchange platforms by volume.
The extremely low trading fees are another reason why so many crypto traders opt for this platform. Most trades cost around 0.20 %, but it is based on a Taker-Maker concept. The maker fee is 0.10 %, while the taker fee is 0.20 %. These fees apply to fiat trades, crypto, and stablecoins.
⚡️ Deposit fees: 0.1 % ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Free ⚡️ Trading fees: 0 – 0.2 % ⚡️ Service fees: 0.1 % ⚡️ Payment Methods: Debit/Credit Cards, ACH Transfer, Wire Transfer ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, and CNH
Withdrawal, deposit, and trading fees are very low Supports margin trading, spot trading, derivatives, and other advanced order types The mobile app works great Wide range of supported cryptocurrencies
Second largest hack in history Not available for US citizens
Frequently asked questions about buying Bitcoin in South Africa
What is the best Bitcoin wallet in South Africa?❓
The best Bitcoin wallets in South Africa are Exodus and Luno wallets.
Is Luno registered in South Africa?❓
Luno Proprietary Limited (Registration No. 2013/075107/07) is registered with the Financial Intelligence Centre, under registration number AI/130605/00024
Is there Bitcoin ATM in South Africa❓
You can find Bitcoin ATMs in various cities such as Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Nelspruit.
What is the minimum deposit for Luno❓
$10.
Is Luno trusted❓
Luno makes it safe and easy to store, buy, use and learn about digital currencies like Bitcoin.
How do beginners buy bitcoins❓
You must add a bank account, debit card, or credit card to make your first bitcoin purchase on most exchanges. Adding a bank account is recommended for buying large amounts of bitcoin as the transfer fees tend to be lower. Credit and debit cards are only recommended for smaller purchases as they carry higher fees.
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As the Head of Content at Captainaltcoin, I bring years of experience in the crypto industry. With a strong belief in the potential of the web3 market since 2017, I'm passionate about sharing valuable insights and knowledge.
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