VALR Review 2026
Best for: Low Fees & Selection
Open an account with VALR and start trading in ZAR.
Open VALR account →Pros
- +130+ coins — largest selection of SA exchanges
- +0% maker fees on all spot markets
- +Advanced trading: spot, futures, options
- +FSCA licensed and well-capitalised
- +Competitive taker fee of 0.2%
- +PayShap for instant ZAR deposits
Cons
- −Interface can feel complex for beginners
- −Customer support response times vary
- −Fewer instant buy options than Luno
ZAR Deposit Methods
Overview
VALR is South Africa’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and coin selection. Founded in 2018 by Farzam Ehsani and backed by Pantera Capital and Bittrex, it is fully FSCA-licensed and has become the preferred platform for serious SA crypto investors. With 130+ tradable assets, 0% maker fees, and professional-grade order types, VALR competes with global exchanges on every metric — while keeping your rand on local soil.
If you started on Luno and want more, VALR is the natural next step. If you’re starting from scratch and not intimidated by a fuller interface, VALR is where most experienced SA investors will tell you to open your first account.
Who is VALR best for?
VALR suits intermediate and advanced SA crypto investors who want low fees, a wide coin selection, and professional tools. The basic buy/sell flow is accessible enough for determined beginners — especially those who want more than the 14 coins Luno offers.
Best pick for:
- Anyone ready to move beyond Luno
- Active traders who want 0% maker fees
- Investors wanting altcoin exposure beyond BTC and ETH
- SA-based traders who prefer not to use offshore exchanges
VALR Fees Explained
VALR uses a maker-taker model:
| Order Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Maker (limit order — adds liquidity) | 0% |
| Taker (market order — removes liquidity) | 0.2% |
| Instant Buy/Sell | ~0.5% spread |
High-volume traders get further taker discounts, dropping as low as 0.02%. ZAR deposits and withdrawals are free. Crypto withdrawal fees apply standard network fees.
ZAR Deposits and Withdrawals
VALR supports every major SA payment method:
- EFT — standard bank transfer, 1–2 business days
- PayShap — instant ZAR deposits via Capitec, Standard Bank, Nedbank, FNB, Absa
- Debit/Credit card — via third-party processor (small card fee applies)
- Crypto — deposit any of the 130+ supported assets directly
Coin Selection
With 130+ listed assets, VALR gives South Africans global-level coin access without offshore risk:
- Major coins — BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, DOT, AVAX, MATIC, LINK
- Stablecoins — USDT, USDC (useful for hedging without leaving crypto)
- DeFi tokens — UNI, AAVE, CRV and others
- Memecoins — DOGE, SHIB
Significantly broader than Luno (14 coins) and AltCoinTrader (~60 coins).
Advanced Trading Features
Beyond basic spot trading, VALR offers:
- Futures — leveraged BTC and ETH contracts
- Options — call and put options on BTC
- Simple Earn — staking and yield products for passive income
- API access — for automated trading strategies
Futures and options carry significant risk and are not suitable for beginners.
FSCA Licensing and Security
VALR holds a full Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) license from the FSCA — the same body that regulates banks and insurers in South Africa. This means ongoing compliance audits, capital adequacy requirements, and strict KYC/AML obligations.
VALR also publishes regular proof-of-reserves reports so users can verify customer funds are held 1:1. The platform uses cold storage for the majority of funds, supports 2FA, and has operated without a major breach since launch.
How Does VALR Compare?
| VALR | Luno | AltCoinTrader | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taker fee | 0.2% | 0.1% | 1.0% |
| Maker fee | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Coins | 130+ | 14 | 60 |
| PayShap | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| FSCA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Staking | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Futures | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
See our full best crypto exchanges in South Africa comparison →
Verdict
VALR is the best all-round crypto exchange for South Africans in 2026. The combination of 0% maker fees, 130+ coins, FSCA licensing, and PayShap instant deposits makes it the clear choice for anyone beyond the absolute beginner stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VALR safe to use in South Africa?
Yes. VALR is FSCA-licensed, publishes proof-of-reserves, and has operated without a major breach since 2018. It is one of the most regulated and transparent exchanges in SA.
What is the minimum deposit on VALR?
There is no minimum ZAR deposit. Deposit any amount via EFT or PayShap and buy crypto immediately.
Does VALR have a mobile app?
Yes. VALR has iOS and Android apps with full trading functionality including spot markets, Simple Earn, and portfolio tracking.
Can I use VALR as a beginner?
VALR is more feature-rich than Luno but the basic buy/sell interface is accessible. Completely new to crypto? Start with Luno. Slightly more confident? VALR is manageable.
How does the VALR referral programme work?
New users signing up via a referral link get a fee discount on their first trades. Use our link when signing up to claim this benefit.
Is VALR regulated?
Yes. VALR holds a full CASP license from the FSCA, granted under the regulatory framework introduced in 2023.
Start trading on VALR
FSCA-licensed · ZAR deposits · No hidden fees