regulationfscasouth-africaexchanges

FSCA Confirms All Major SA Crypto Exchanges Now Fully Licensed

CryptoClub ZA ·

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has confirmed that South Africa’s three major retail crypto exchanges — Luno, VALR, and AltCoinTrader — have all received full crypto asset service provider (CASP) licenses under the regulatory framework introduced in June 2023.

What This Means for SA Crypto Users

The full licensing of all major SA exchanges is a meaningful milestone for the local crypto market. Under the CASP framework, licensed exchanges must:

  • Maintain adequate capital reserves
  • Implement robust KYC and AML procedures
  • Submit to regular FSCA audits
  • Provide clear disclosure of fees and risks

For retail investors, this means an additional layer of protection compared to using unlicensed offshore platforms.

FSCA’s Ongoing Stance

The FSCA has maintained that while cryptocurrency remains a high-risk asset class, it is committed to creating a clear and predictable regulatory environment for both exchanges and investors. The authority is expected to release updated guidance on crypto derivatives and staking services later in 2026.

What About SARS?

Licensing by the FSCA does not change your tax obligations. SARS continues to treat cryptocurrency as a capital gains asset. All profits from crypto sales — whether on FSCA-licensed or offshore platforms — must be declared. See our SARS Crypto Tax Guide for details.

Source: FSCA official communications. This article is for informational purposes only.