Compare 7 best crypto exchanges to buy Bitcoin in South Africa for 2025

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Buy or sell CFDs with Plus500. 82％ of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money

Our team of experts has thoroughly reviewed and ranked the best cryptocurrency exchanges available for beginners based in South Africa. This comprehensive guide explains everything you need to know to select the best crypto trading platform in South Africa that matches your needs. 

Whether you’re looking for the lowest fees, widest selection of coins, or simplest user interface, we’ve compared and analysed all the leading options to uncover the ideal exchanges for first-time crypto traders and investors in South Africa. 

Equipped with insider knowledge from our experienced analysts, you can confidently navigate the world of the best crypto exchanges in South Africa and find the perfect platform to buy, sell and trade digital currencies.

What is the best crypto exchange South Africa in 2025?

Our expert rankings reveal that Plus500 is the best cryptocurrency exchange in South Africa.

The list below shows the three best South Africa crypto exchanges that excelled in our tests, by combining low transaction fees, high security, and ease of use.

4.5

Plus500

Min. Deposit $100

Fees From 2%

No. assets 2800+

Demo account Yes

Visit site

Plus500 review

This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.

4.2

Coinbase

Min. Deposit $10

Fees Up to 0.6%

No. assets 150+

Demo account No

Visit site

Coinbase review

3.9

Kraken

Min. Deposit $10

Fees 0.10% - 0.26%

No. assets 90+

Demo account Yes

Visit site

Kraken review

7 best South Africa crypto exchanges

Here is a selection of the best crypto trading exchanges in South Africa. These trading platforms accept South African users and are headquartered in the country. 

• AltCoinTrader
• Luno
• OVX
• Paybis
• SatoshiPay
• SouthXchange
• VALR
• Yellow Card

Top 7 best crypto trading platforms South Africa, reviewed

1. Plus500. Best for international trading*

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4.5

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

From 0.8%

Fees

2,800

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Plus500 because it is one of the industry’s most transparent and reliable brokers. Its fees are clear and you’ll know exactly what you will be paying before you trade. Its technology driven platform gives access to futures for the two biggest cryptos, Bitcoin and Ethereum. 

Plus500 has something for all types of crypto trader, no matter what level of experience. Its low margin requirements of $20 for Ether and $100 for Bitcoin make it a top choice for day traders. At the same time, its trading academy is packed with educational content, perfect for beginners just starting. 

For accurate instrument availability, visit plus500.com.

The fees: Plus500 charges a commission of $0.49 per Micro contract and $0.89 per Standard contract (per side). There is an Auto-Liquidation fee of $10 per contract. Other exchange fees may be applicable and can be found on the CME group website. 

*Based on a comparison of 60+ leading brokers and trading platforms.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	2800+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSA, ASIC, FMA, FCA, CySEC

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	No
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Free demo account for every user Secure broker, licensed by top-tier regulators Wide variety of CFDs to trade Several good risk management tools

No support on trading information and education Website isn’t brilliantly designed to help users find answers to their questions No MetaTrader trading platform compatibility

Read review Visit Plus500

This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.

2. Coinbase. Best secure trading platform for all types of trader

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4

Ratings

$10

Min. deposit

Up to 0.6%

Fees

200

No. assets

No

Demo account

Overview

We love Coinbase because it’s the leading public crypto platform. Coinbase offers more than 170 cryptocurrencies to trade, a secure wallet to store your coins in, and automatic staking rewards on 10+ cryptos through Coinbase Earn.

Coinbase’s user-friendly platform simplifies the buying, selling, and trading processes, making it one of the top crypto exchanges for all levels of trader. But, Coinbase isn’t just an easy to use platform, it’s one of the safest and most secure. 

A public company brings transparency and renown, so you can trust that any money on Coinbase is safe and you’re sharing the platform with over 100 million other users. It stores 98% of customer assets offline in cold storage, minimizing the risk of theft. There is also insurance on all cash balances up to $250,000

The fees: Trading fees start from 0.6% but reduce the higher your trading volume. Bank transfer deposits and withdrawals are free, other payment methods may be charged. There is no fee for wallet-to-wallet crypto transactions but you will have to pay blockchain fees. Coinbase charges a 25% fee for its staking services.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	150+
Min. Deposit	$10
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	No
Supported assets	Crypto, NFTs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSA, FCA, NFA

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes
Inactivity fees	No
Rollover/overnight fees	No
Withdrawal fees	Yes
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Simple and easy to use interface Able to buy cryptocurrencies instantly with a credit or debit card Offers great security on its wallet Can use a variety of payment methods

Quite high fees for credit and debit card instant buys Poor customer support

Read review Visit Coinbase

3. Kraken: Best for simple, global cryptocurrency trading from your phone

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3.5

Ratings

$10

Min. deposit

0.10% - 0.26% (volume dependent)

Fees

90

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Kraken because it’s a beginner-friendly crypto trading platform, one that’s designed to make it quick and convenient to buy and sell crypto on the go. The Kraken mobile app provides access to over 200 cryptocurrencies making it one of the most diverse platforms around. 

With an intuitive interface and many advanced features, the Kraken crypto app is suitable for those just starting, or experienced traders wanting to enhance their trading experience. The Kraken mobile app caters to different trading styles and preferences with spot, margin, and futures all available. 

Kraken’s mobile app also supports up to 5:1 leverage allowing you to amplify your position and potentially increase your returns. With such a wide selection of tokens available and a solid range of features and tools, the Kraken app is one of the top cryptocurrency trading platforms while on the go. 

The fees: Kraken charges a fee of between 0-0.26% on every crypto trade. There are no costs to set up an account and no flat trading fees.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	200+
Min. Deposit	£10
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Crypto, NFTs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSA, AUSTRAC, FCA, MiFID II, FinCEN, FINTRAC

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes
Inactivity fees	No
Rollover/overnight fees	No
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Cheap/ free deposits in EUR and cheap deposits for the USA Margin trading and Futures supported Transparency - it was the first exchange to carry out proof of reserves Low fees in comparison to other exchanges

Catered towards professional traders with large trading volumes Slow account verification in comparison to other brokers

Read review Visit Kraken

4. Eightcap. Best online broker for choice of trading platform

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4.5

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

Up to $3.5 RT

Fees

800

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Eightcap because you have several trading platforms to choose from. You can choose between MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView. All of these platforms are favourites among retail traders. With the MetaTrade suite of platforms, you can access lots of technical indicators, custom tools, and expert advisors. 

TradingView with Eightcap allows you to trade directly from your charts while accessing the hundreds of tools and features available. Eightcap a selection of over 200 crypto CFDs so there’s an excellent range to choose from. You can trade the biggest coins like BTC/USD and many altcoins like DOGE/USD.  

The fees: Eightcap is a CFD broker and charges spread, commissions, or a combination of both. There are two account types available, RAW, and Standard. The RAW account has ultra-low spreads starting from 0.0 pips but charges $3.5 RT per lot. The standard account is commission-free for most assets and spreads start from 1 pip.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	800+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stocks, Crypto, Commodities, , Indices
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	ASIC, FCA, CySEC

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes
Inactivity fees	No
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes, on certain assets
Withdrawal fees	Yes, for certain payment methods
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes, currency dependent

Pros & Cons

Low trading fees for CFDs Trade directly from the TradingView platform Regulated by top-tier authorities Leverage up to 1:500 Partnered with multiple proprietary trading firms

Some markets are not available to all regions Customer support does not operate 24/7

Read review Visit Eightcap

74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money

5. AvaTrade. Best regulated broker for secure trading

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4

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

From 0.13%

Fees

1,300

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love AvaTrade because it is a reliable CFD broker, that gives users access to a wide range of markets. As a CFD broker, AvaTrade lets you speculate on the price movements of various currency markets without owning the underlying assets. AvaTrade is a multi asset brokerage firm and includes CFDs for multiple forex pairs including EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and more. 

AvaTrade is also highly regarded for its strong regulatory framework and commitment to security. AvaTrade is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and the British Virgin Islands, which means it must adhere to stringent regulatory standards across the world. 

AvaTrade isn’t just well regulated, it also employs advanced security measures to protect client funds and personal information, including segregated accounts and robust encryption technology. 

The fees: There is no commission on any trading. AvaTrade makes money from the Bid/Ask spread instead. Forex spreads start at 0.7 pips. Positions left overnight are charged a swap fee that varies depending on size. An inactivity fee of £/€/$50 per month is applicable if you don’t log in to your account for three consecutive months.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	1250+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stocks, Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Commodity CFDs, Index CFDs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSCA, FSA, ASIC, CBI, MiFID, CySEC, BVIFSC, FRSA

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	No
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	No

Pros & Cons

Trade 1000+ CFDs with competitive spreads Regulated by Tier 1 financial bodies across the world Consistently highly rated trading platform on web and mobile Offers social trading through its proprietary AvaSocial platform

Spreads are competitive without being industry-leading Some assets are only available to trade through the MetaTrader software

Read review Visit AvaTrade

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

6. KuCoin. Best social trading altcoin exchange

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4

Ratings

$-

Min. deposit

...

Fees

-

No. assets

No

Demo account

Overview

We love KuCoin because it’s a great place for beginners to trade more than 700 altcoins. Kucoin offers a vast range of cryptocurrencies including all the big names like Bitcoin and Ethereum, together with hundreds of altcoins and newly released tokens. 

The exchange gives you multiple ways to trade and invest in crypto, including spot trading, futures trading, margin trading, and staking. This choice allows you to choose the method that best suits your trading strategies and risk tolerance. 

Kucoin is a top platform for both beginners and experienced traders. Its intuitive interface is easy to get to grips with and its advanced trading features mean even high volume traders can make use of it. Kucoin also offers an earn feature, where you can generate passive income through staking and lending, making it one of the best all round crypto exchanges. 

The fees: Trading fees are charged on a sliding scale. Fees are 0.1% on trading volumes below 50 BTC in a 30 day period. Discounts are available if you pay fees in KCS or store more than 1000 KCS in your account.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets
Min. Deposit
ID verification required	No
Free demo account	No
Supported assets
Mobile trading app	No
Web trading platform	No
Regulatory bodies

Pros & Cons

Anonymous trading with up to 2 BTC withdrawals/24 hours Wide variety of cryptocurrencies No deposit fees

Low trading volumes not suitable for big traders Doesn’t support U.S. customers You might experience delays and lags during high-traffic times.

Read review Visit KuCoin

7. Exness. Best for tight spreads and a pro-style trading experience.

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4

Ratings

10

Min. deposit

From $0.2 per lot

Fees

300

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Exness because of its tight spreads, which make it a top choice for traders looking to minimize trading costs and maximize profitability. The brokerage offers some of the most competitive spreads in the industry, especially on larger markets like foreign exchange.

Its focus on low trading costs is ideal for both newbies and experienced traders looking to trade with minimal overheads. Exness also stands out for its range of trading terminals. It offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the Exness web terminal. There’s also a dedicated mobile app meaning you’ll be able to always access your account. 

Exness offers 250+ trading instruments, including 100+ forex pairs, 80+ stocks, 35+ cryptocurrencies, 15+ indices and 15+ commodities. Exness offers a great range of pro-style trading tools and a variety of account types to suit all experience levels. 

Beginners can take advantage of a free demo account or micro-lots for low minimum trades, while more experienced traders can use the hundreds of pre built indicators available on the MetaTrader suite. 

The fees: Standard accounts aren’t charged a commission but are charged through the spread. Spreads start from 0.3 pips on stocks, 1 pip on forex trades, and 7 pips on cryptocurrencies. Overnight fees apply on some assets (exc. swap-free accounts).

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	250+
Min. Deposit	From $10
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stocks, Crypto, Commodities
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSCA, FCA, CySEC, FSA, BVIFSC

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Standard accounts: no Professional accounts: yes
Inactivity fees	No
Rollover/overnight fees	Standard accounts: Yes, on some assets Islamic accounts: no
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	No

Pros & Cons

Trade all major asset classes with zero commission Competitive spreads starting from 0.3 pips on standard accounts Highly flexible trading terminal available on mobile app, desktop, and web browser Top-tier regulation and negative balance protection

Restricted access in the US and UK

Read review Visit Exness

Exness does not offer services to residents of certain jurisdictions including the USA, Iran, North Korea and others. The content of the website including translations should not be construed as means for solicitation. Investors make their own and independent decisions. Trading in CFDs and generally leveraged products involves substantial risk of loss and you may lose all of your invested capital.

How to choose the best South Africa crypto exchange

With cryptocurrency adoption growing rapidly in South Africa, new traders are faced with the crucial decision of picking the right exchange for their needs. Our crypto experts have identified the key factors to consider when evaluating crypto trading platforms in South Africa.

Security protections

As crypto asset theft can be irreversible, security should be your number one priority. Look for a trading platforms that:

• Store the majority of funds in cold wallets (offline storage)
• Offer two-factor authentication and API keys for account access
• Have robust anti-phishing and encryption safeguards in place
• Provide insurance coverage for deposits in case of hacks

Top trading platforms like Luno and VALR excel in security protections for South African traders.

Fees & costs

Exchanges make money through a wide variety of fees, which can impact your profits. Below we’ll take a closer look at the types of charges and fees you may experience when trading crypto in South Africa

Trading fees. Trading fees are charged per trade and are typically a percentage of the total trade value. Cryptocurrency trading fees in South Africa range from 0.1% to 1% on most platforms. Here is some information you can use to compare the trading fees for the best crypto platforms in South Africa. 

Payment and other fees. May be charged when funding your account via bank transfer or withdrawing to an external wallet. Varies across payment types and deposit methods. In addition to payment fees, other charges such as swaps, rollover, and currency conversion charges may apply.

Spreads. One fee that is impossible to avoid is spread, which is the difference between the buy and sell price for any coin. All of the best crypto companies in South Africa charge spreads and the amount can vary between platforms. Use the table below to compare the average spread for the three biggest crypto exchanges in South Africa. 

Ease of use and features

The user experience can greatly vary across exchanges. Here are some of the things to consider before you pick a South African crypto trading platform.

• Interface and tools. Platform should have a clean layout with charts, order books, and trading pairs easily accessible on desktop and mobile.
• Account Setup and verification. Quick and simple identity verification process enables users to start trading faster.
• Customer support. This means the availability of email, phone, ticket and live chat assistance. Look for quick response times and knowledgeable representatives operating customer support channels 
• Site navigation. Easy site navigation and prompt customer assistance via email, phone or chat. Coindirect, AltCoinTrader and VALR offer excellent trading interfaces, tools and support.

Supported cryptocurrencies

Ensure a platform in South Africa provides sufficient buying options for:

• Major coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Litecoin
• Emerging tokens like Cardano, Polkadot, Solana
• Stablecoins like USDT for reducing volatility

Large exchanges support 100+ coins and tokens. Beginners may prefer more curated options offered by the likes of Luno which is an easy to use platform in South Africa.

What type of South African crypto exchanges are there?

Here is an overview of the different types of crypto exchanges available for South African investors:

Centralised exchanges (CEX)

This is the most common type of exchange. CEXs are online platforms and companies that act as middlemen between buyers and sellers. For example:

• Luno
• AltCoinTrader
• VALR
• Coindirect

Benefits include easy usability, high liquidity and a wide selection of coins. The downsides are reliance on a central authority and increased hacking risk.

Decentralized exchanges (DEX)

DEXs allow peer-to-peer trading directly between users through automated smart contracts. No central authority controls orders and funds. For example:

• Pangolin
• UniSwap
• PancakeSwap

The advantages are reduced counterparty risk and greater user control. Disadvantages include smaller liquidity and often a more complex process.

P2P exchanges

Peer-to-peer platforms connect buyers and sellers directly. Users can trade with each other using different payment methods. For example:

• Paxful

Benefits include flexibility in payments, often with less ID verification. Downsides are higher risks with dealing with anonymous individuals.

Brokers

Brokers don’t have order books matching trades between users. Instead, they sell you crypto directly from their own inventory at a set price. For example:

• Luno Broker
• OVEX

Ease of use by avoiding trading yourself is the main advantage. Downsides include fees and rates set by the broker.

Can I buy traditional financial assets on a crypto exchange in South Africa?

On some platforms you can, but a better option is to sign up for a dedicated service that offers the specific assets you want to trade. The best trading platforms in South Africa allow you to buy and sell stocks, while the best forex brokers in South Africa is best for currency trading. The best CFD brokers in South Africa offer a mixture of all these assets.

How to buy crypto on the best Bitcoin exchange in South Africa

Follow these steps to create an account and make your first trade on a beginner-friendly crypto exchange in South Africa:

What are some of the best South Africa crypto exchanges?

Here is a selection of the best crypto trading exchanges in South Africa. These trading platforms accept South African users and are headquartered in the country. 

• AltCoinTrader
• Luno
• OVX
• Paybis
• SatoshiPay
• SouthXchange
• VALR
• Yellow Card

Quick answers to key questions

Do I need a crypto wallet?

A private wallet not tied to the exchange is recommended to securely store purchased coins long-term, such as from providers like Luno or Ledger. However, keeping smaller amounts on a reputable exchange in South Africa for trading is generally safe.

What are the deposit fees and limits?

Deposit fees are typically zero for South African bank transfers. Deposit limits range from R5,000 for smaller exchanges to over R1 million for larger players like Luno. The verification level also determines limits. Different payment methods may also impose deposit limits, so make sure you check before adding funds to your account.

How do I choose between spot trading and derivative trading?

Beginners should start with basic buy/sell spot trading to gain experience. More advanced derivative products like margin or futures trading involve higher risk and are better suited to experienced traders. Most major exchanges offer both options to buy and sell Bitcoin and other cryptos.

Can I trade using leverage on a South African crypto exchange?

Many of the best crypto exchanges in SA offer the ability to trade on margin and use leverage. The amount of leverage available to you can vary depending on your own circumstances and the rules set out by the exchange. Trading crypto using leverage is very risky and you should consider all options before using it.

Is trading cryptocurrency legal in South Africa?

Yes, crypto is legal in South Africa, with no domestic regulations against trading by individuals. Anti-money laundering laws still apply. SARS also taxes crypto gains. The South African regulatory environment is crypto-friendly.

Is crypto regulated in South Africa?

The regulatory landscape surrounding crypto in South Africa is constantly evolving. Some aspects of the crypto market fall under existing regulations while a formal framework is under development. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has indicated it plans to bring Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs) under its regulatory laws in the future. 

In the first quarter of 2024, the South African FCA approved 59 new crypto licences.

Many of the best crypto businesses in South Africa also operate globally and fall under the jurisdiction of multiple regulators such as CySEC or the FCA. Below are the three best crypto exchanges in South Africa and what regulatory status they hold.

Do I have to pay tax on crypto in SA?

Yes, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) states that crypto assets are taxable in South Africa. Taxpayers need to declare crypto assets’ gains or losses as part of their taxable income. Normal tax rules apply to cryptocurrencies in South Africa. 

Digital assets can also be taxed as capital gains, but the rates depend on how the asset was acquired. For example, if you buy a crypto asset, the difference between the purchase price and the selling price is considered a capital gain. 

If you mine a crypto asset, the fair market value of the asset at the time you mined it is considered your purchase price. Any increase in the value of the crypto asset since then is considered a capital gain. 

In South Africa, the capital gains tax rate for individuals is 28% for taxable income above R450,000. 

Should I worry about exchange security?

Reputable exchanges, such as cold storage, encryption, and insurance, implement robust security to protect your funds. Start using well-known exchanges like Luno and AltCoinTrader with proven security track records. You can also use a dedicated crypto wallet, accessible only via your private keys to store your digital assets.

What are cryptocurrency network fees?

Sending crypto on-chain incurs minor blockchain network fees paid to miners. Exchanges add their own fees on top for withdrawals. For example, withdrawing Bitcoin from Luno costs 0.0005 BTC plus their fee.

Can I trade altcoins directly for ZAR?

Many smaller altcoins and tokens can only be traded against Bitcoin or Ethereum. Larger exchanges like AltCoinTrader allow direct ZAR trading pairs with over 100 different cryptocurrencies.

What is the best crypto wallet in South Africa?

The top options for the best crypto wallet in South Africa are hardware wallets like Ledger and Trezor. Hardware wallets are physical devices that store your private keys offline, providing top-tier security against hacks and theft. 

Leading models like the Ledger Nano X and Trezor Model T support many cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. They typically cost around R1000-R1500 but are worthwhile investments for serious crypto investors who want robust security protections.

The best free crypto wallet option is Luno Software Wallet. As a prominent South African exchange, Luno offers an excellent mobile and desktop wallet that is simple and intuitive to use. It lets you securely store Bitcoin, Ethereum and other coins bought on the Luno platform. The wallet utilises AES-256 encryption and private keys that only you control. 

Luno wallets also make transferring funds between your exchange account and wallet seamless. For cost-conscious investors or those just starting out, Luno Software Wallet is likely the best crypto wallet in South Africa.

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