Luno Review 2026

Overview

Luno is South Africa’s most widely used cryptocurrency exchange and one of the longest-running platforms in the local market. Founded in 2013 and now backed by Deutsche Telekom, it is the go-to platform for South Africans buying Bitcoin for the first time. Fully FSCA-licensed, PayShap-integrated, and designed around mobile-first simplicity, Luno removes every barrier between a new investor and their first crypto purchase.

If you want to buy Bitcoin in South Africa with ZAR as quickly and safely as possible, Luno is the right starting point.

Who is Luno best for?

Luno is best suited for:

• Beginners who want a trusted, simple platform to buy their first Bitcoin or Ethereum in ZAR
• Buy-and-hold investors who don’t need a broad coin selection or advanced order types
• Mobile-first users — Luno’s iOS and Android apps are among the best-designed in SA
• Investors who want instant deposits — PayShap allows same-minute ZAR deposits up to R3,000

If you want more than 14 coins, or if you’re an active trader who needs 0% maker fees and futures access, VALR is the natural upgrade.

Fees in Detail

Action	Fee
Maker (limit order)	0%
Taker (market order)	0.1%
ZAR Deposit (EFT)	Free
ZAR Deposit (PayShap)	Free
ZAR Deposit (Card)	Card processing fee applies
ZAR Withdrawal	Free
Crypto Withdrawal	Network fee (not Luno’s fee)

The Instant Buy feature — popular with beginners — uses a spread-based model rather than a flat fee. You pay a small premium over the spot price. For small purchases (under R1,000) the spread is negligible. For larger amounts, switch to the Exchange tab to buy at the real market price with the 0.1% taker fee instead.

Fee comparison:

Exchange	Maker Fee	Taker Fee	R10,000 taker cost
VALR	0%	0.2%	R20
Luno	0%	0.1%	R10
AltCoinTrader	0%	1.0%	R100

On raw taker fee, Luno actually beats VALR (0.1% vs 0.2%). VALR wins for high-volume traders who benefit from volume discounts, and for users who need 0% maker fees combined with advanced markets. But for a casual investor making monthly purchases, Luno’s 0.1% taker fee is excellent.

ZAR Deposits and Withdrawals

Luno supports three deposit methods:

• PayShap — instant ZAR deposits, R3,000 per transaction limit. No wait, no delays.
• EFT — standard bank transfer, typically arrives within 1–3 business hours on weekdays.
• Debit/Credit card — instant but incurs a card processing fee (varies by card type).

ZAR withdrawals are processed via EFT and PayShap. EFT withdrawals typically clear within 1–3 business hours during business days. Crypto withdrawals depend on network congestion — Bitcoin usually confirms within 20–60 minutes.

Coin Selection

Luno offers 14 coins — which covers what most South African retail investors actually need:

Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), Dogecoin (DOGE), Polygon (MATIC), Chainlink (LINK), USDC, USDT, Dai (DAI), and Uniswap (UNI).

If you want SOL, ADA, or the top 14 assets, Luno covers you. If you want access to 130+ coins including smaller altcoins, you’ll need VALR or AltCoinTrader.

FSCA Licensing and Track Record

Luno is fully licensed by the FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority) as a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) — the same regulatory framework that applies to traditional financial services providers in SA. This means:

• Client funds are held in segregated accounts
• Regular reporting requirements to the FSCA
• Regulatory recourse available if something goes wrong

Luno has operated in South Africa since 2013 — longer than almost any other active exchange in SA. It has never suffered a major security breach and has maintained FSCA compliance throughout multiple regulatory transitions.

Backing: Luno is backed by Deutsche Telekom (one of the world’s largest telcos), which provides institutional-grade financial stability unusual for a crypto exchange.

How Luno Compares

	Luno	VALR	AltCoinTrader
Taker fee	0.1%	0.2%	1.0%
Maker fee	0%	0%	0%
Coins	14	130+	60
PayShap	✓	✓	✗
FSCA	✓	✓	✓
Founded	2013	2018	2017
SA-owned	✗ (UK)	✓	✓
Futures/Options	✗	✓	✗
Staking	✗	✓	✗
Mobile App	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐

👉 See our full best crypto exchanges in South Africa comparison →

Mobile App

Luno’s iOS and Android apps are consistently rated as the best-designed crypto app in South Africa. The interface is clean, the onboarding is guided, and the Instant Buy flow takes less than 2 minutes from first open to first purchase. If you’re mobile-first, Luno leads this category.

Verdict

Luno earns its 4.3/5 for simplicity, trust, and PayShap integration. For a South African buying Bitcoin for the first time, or building a regular investment habit with a monthly purchase, Luno removes all the friction.

Its 14-coin limit and lack of advanced features are real constraints for experienced investors — at which point VALR is the natural next step.

Use Luno if: You’re new to crypto, want the simplest possible ZAR-to-Bitcoin experience, or prefer a mobile-first interface with instant PayShap deposits.

Upgrade to VALR when: You want more than 14 coins, futures access, or lower effective fees through volume discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Luno safe in South Africa? Yes. Luno is FSCA-licensed, has been operating in SA since 2013, and has never suffered a major security breach. Client funds are held in segregated accounts. It is backed by Deutsche Telekom.

What is the minimum deposit on Luno? No minimum for EFT or PayShap deposits. You can buy as little as R10 worth of Bitcoin. Card minimums vary by processor.

How long do Luno withdrawals take? ZAR withdrawals via EFT typically arrive within 1–3 business hours on business days. PayShap withdrawals are near-instant. Crypto withdrawals depend on network conditions.

Does Luno have a referral programme? Luno does not currently run a public referral programme. We do not have an affiliate link for Luno — our link goes directly to their signup page with no commission.

What are the best alternatives to Luno? If you’ve outgrown Luno’s 14-coin selection, VALR is the natural upgrade — 130+ coins, 0% maker fees, and PayShap support. See our full SA exchanges comparison →.

Is Luno good for buying Bitcoin? Yes — for beginners, Luno is the most beginner-friendly way to buy Bitcoin in South Africa. The Instant Buy feature is simple, the app is excellent, and FSCA licensing provides regulatory protection.

Can I stake on Luno? No — Luno does not currently offer staking. If staking is important to you, VALR supports staking on selected assets.