AltCoinTrader Review 2026

Overview

AltCoinTrader is one of South Africa’s oldest and most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges, operating since 2017 and 100% South African owned. While newer competitors like VALR have overtaken it on fees and features, AltCoinTrader has maintained a loyal user base among South Africans who value local ownership, a long track record, and access to altcoins not listed elsewhere in SA.

If fees are your primary concern, VALR wins decisively. But if you want a locally owned, FSCA-licensed platform with a longer operating history than almost any SA competitor — AltCoinTrader deserves consideration.

Who is AltCoinTrader best for?

AltCoinTrader suits South African crypto users who:

• Prioritise local SA ownership — the exchange is 100% South African and has never been acquired by an offshore entity
• Want altcoins not on Luno — 60+ coins including some you won’t find on VALR
• Trade infrequently — the 1% taker fee hurts active traders but has minimal impact on buy-and-hold investors making monthly purchases
• Have experienced the AltCoinTrader ecosystem — it has a dedicated community of SA users

If low fees and a sleek interface are your priorities, VALR is the better choice.

Fee Structure in Detail

AltCoinTrader uses a maker-taker model:

The 1% taker fee is the main criticism of AltCoinTrader. To put it in perspective:

For a buy-and-hold investor making one R2,000 purchase per month, the fee difference is R16/month compared to VALR. For active traders executing multiple trades per day, the 1% taker fee becomes significant.

Pro tip: Use limit orders (maker orders) on AltCoinTrader to pay 0% instead of 1%. This requires more patience but eliminates the fee disadvantage entirely.

ZAR Deposits and Withdrawals

AltCoinTrader supports:

• EFT — standard bank transfer, typically 1–3 business hours
• Debit/credit card — instant but incurs card processing fees

What’s missing: PayShap. This is a notable gap — both Luno and VALR support PayShap for instant R deposits. On AltCoinTrader you’re limited to EFT (wait a few hours) or card (pay extra). For traders who need to react quickly to market moves, this is a practical disadvantage.

Coin Selection

With 60+ coins, AltCoinTrader sits between Luno (14 coins) and VALR (130+):

• Majors — BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, ADA, LTC, DOGE
• SA-exclusive listings — some smaller altcoins listed on AltCoinTrader before they appeared on other SA platforms
• Stablecoins — USDT available for hedging

The coin selection is genuinely useful for South Africans who want more than the major assets without needing VALR’s full 130+ offering.

Registration and Account Setup

Opening an AltCoinTrader account takes approximately 30–60 minutes:

1. Register at altcointrader.co.za
2. Submit your South African ID number and selfie
3. Provide proof of residence (utility bill or bank statement, under 3 months old)
4. Wait for FICA verification — typically 1 business day

Minimum deposit: There is no published minimum deposit for EFT. For card deposits, the minimum varies by processor.

Withdrawal limits: Unverified accounts have lower withdrawal limits. Full FICA verification unlocks higher limits.

Mobile App

AltCoinTrader has iOS and Android apps that cover the core functionality: viewing balances, placing orders, and checking prices. The app is functional but visually less polished than Luno’s or VALR’s offering. If a strong mobile experience is important to you, Luno leads this category.

FSCA Licensing and Track Record

AltCoinTrader is fully licensed by the FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority) as a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP). This is the same licensing framework that governs Luno and VALR.

What sets AltCoinTrader apart is its operating history. Founded in 2017, it has survived multiple crypto bear markets, regulatory changes, and the turbulence of 2022. That longevity is meaningful in a sector where new exchanges regularly fail. The platform has never been hacked, never failed to process withdrawals, and has maintained FSCA compliance throughout.

How Does AltCoinTrader Compare?

See our full best crypto exchanges in South Africa comparison →

Verdict

AltCoinTrader earns its 3.9/5 for its South African roots, long track record, and solid regulatory standing. However, the 1% taker fee and lack of PayShap are hard to overlook in a market where VALR charges 0.2% and supports instant deposits.

Use AltCoinTrader if: You want a 100% SA-owned, FSCA-licensed exchange with a proven multi-year track record — and you’re comfortable using limit orders to avoid the taker fee.

Use VALR instead if: Fee efficiency is a priority or you want PayShap deposits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AltCoinTrader safe? Yes. AltCoinTrader is FSCA-licensed and has operated without a major security breach since 2017. It holds client funds in segregated accounts as required by FSCA regulations.

What is the minimum deposit on AltCoinTrader? There is no published minimum for EFT deposits. You can deposit any amount. Card deposits may have processor minimums.

Does AltCoinTrader support PayShap? No. AltCoinTrader currently only supports EFT and card deposits in ZAR. PayShap is not available. VALR and Luno both offer PayShap if instant deposits are important to you.

Why is the AltCoinTrader taker fee so high? AltCoinTrader’s 1% taker fee reflects its positioning as a full-service, locally owned exchange rather than a fee-competitive platform. To avoid the fee, use limit orders (0% maker fee) — place your order at a price you’re happy with and wait for the market to reach it.

How long do withdrawals take on AltCoinTrader? ZAR withdrawals typically process within 1 business day. Crypto withdrawals depend on network conditions but are generally processed within a few hours.

Does AltCoinTrader have a referral programme? AltCoinTrader does not currently operate an affiliate or referral programme. This is why our link to AltCoinTrader is not an affiliate link — we earn nothing from signups.