We have listed, rated, and reviewed the Best Ways to Buy Bitcoin in South Africa and showcased which notable exchanges offer Bitcoin in South Africa.
In this in-depth write-up, you will learn:
- The Best Crypto Exchanges in South Africa – a List
- The Best App to Buy Bitcoin in South Africa
- The Best Crypto Wallets for Bitcoin in South Africa
- How to Buy Cryptocurrency Instantly with Debit / Credit Cards and Paypal for Beginners
- The Minimum Deposit for Luno, Binance, Coinbase and more
- How to make money with Bitcoin in South Africa
- How much is R1 ZAR / R100 ZAR in Bitcoin?
- What is the easiest way to purchase Bitcoin?
Top 3 Bitcoin Exchanges in South Africa – a Comparison
| 📱Platform | 💴 Fees | 🔐Security Features | 💳 Supported Payment Methods |
| 🥇 Luno | Deposit: Free via bank transfer Trading: 0.1%-1% depending on volume Withdrawal: 0.03% (min R15) | 2FA enabled Cold storage for most funds Regular security audits | Bank transfers Credit/debit cards (in select countries) |
| 🥈 Binance | Deposit: Free for crypto deposits Trading: 0.1% spot trading fee (can be reduced using BNB) Withdrawal: Varies by coin | 2FA & SMS authentication Cold wallets for funds Advanced data encryption | Bank transfers Credit/debit cards P2P transfers Crypto transfers |
| 🥉 Coinbase | Deposit: Free via bank transfer Trading: 0.5% spread + fees (varies by region) Withdrawal: 1.49% for bank withdrawals (higher for cards) | Biometric verification Cold storage for 98% of assets FDIC insurance for USD balances | Bank transfers Credit/debit cards PayPal (in supported regions) |
How to buy Bitcoin in South Africa (2025)
- ☑️ Luno – Overall, the Best Bitcoin Exchange in South Africa
- ☑️ Binance – Popular Bitcoin Exchange for Beginners
- ☑️ Coinbase – Low Fee Crypto Echange
1. Luno
Luno is a leading Crypto investment application that allows users to buy and store crypto securely. Luno has a global presence, including countries like South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia.
With Luno, security is a priority, offering access to cryptographically secure Multi-Factor Authentication. The minimum deposit to open a Luno account is USD 10 / R188 ZAR.
| 🔎 Exchange | 🥇 Luno |
| 💴 Min. Deposit (USD) | $10 USD |
| 💶 Min. Deposit (ZAR) | R188 ZAR |
| 5️⃣ Trust Score | 4.9 |
To get a Luno Bitcoin Promo Code, the buyer can Sign into their Luno account and select ‘Rewards.’ A personal invitation code will appear, as well as instructions on how to ‘Invite Friends.’ The unique “Invite Friends” link can be shared via social media, email, WhatsApp, or website.
If the “Invited friend(s)” use the link to register an account with Luno, the account holder will rewarded in Bitcoin. Additionally, buyers can generate as many Bitcoin wallet addresses on Luno as they want. Follow these simple steps to obtain a Bitcoin wallet needed to buy, sell, store, and transact the digital currency.
- Log into the Luno account
- Buyers will be required to Click on ‘Receive’ if they are accessing Luno from the website
- Buyers will be required to Click on ‘More’ if they are using the Luno mobile app before they can click on ‘Receive’
- Select the digital currency wanted (Bitcoin or Ethereum)
- Click on ‘Add Address’ if accessing Luno from the website
- Click on the ‘+’ sign if using the Luno mobile app
- The Buyer will be instructed to label the address they require. Input a relevant name.
- Click on ‘Create’, and a BTC address will be generated for the buyer by Luno.
A BTC address is a string of 26-35 letters and numbers that identifies a Bitcoin wallet. It begins with either a 1 or a 3 and is case-sensitive. This is the address provided to people who transact using Bitcoin.
Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Easy to use for beginners. | Supports only a few cryptocurrencies. |
| Competitive fees compared to some exchanges. | Lacks margin trading and derivatives. |
| Licensed in multiple regions, with strong security measures. | Fewer deposit options compared to larger exchanges. |
| Quick transactions in supported countries. | Requires full KYC verification. |
2. Binance
Binance is a popular global Cryptocurrency exchange, trusted by millions of users. Binance offers access to Research, an open-access learning hub, and is highly committed to user protection.
Binance embeds state-of-the-art security measures and strict data privacy controls across its whole system. The minimum deposit to open a Binance account is USD 0 / R0 ZAR.
| 🔎 Exchange | 🥇 Binance |
| 💴 Min. Deposit (USD) | $0 USD |
| 💶 Min. Deposit (ZAR) | R0 ZAR |
| 5️⃣ Trust Score | 4.0 |
Fact: It is possible to transfer funds from any of the major financial institutions in South Africa to a Bitcoin exchange and to start trading as soon as the funds are cleared.
Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Supports traders worldwide, including South Africa. | Faces legal challenges in some countries. |
| Competitive fee structure, especially with BNB discounts. | Some fiat deposit/withdrawal options may have restrictions. |
| Supports 350+ cryptocurrencies for trading. | Advanced features may be overwhelming for beginners. |
| Fast execution and deep order books. | Strict identity verification for higher withdrawal limits. |
3. Coinbase
Coinbase is a trusted crypto exchange that is trusted by millions of users worldwide. Coinbase users are allowed to engage with crypto assets, including trading and staking. Coinbase does not require a minimum deposit to open an account.
| 🔎 Exchange | 🥇 Coinbase |
| 💴 Min. Deposit (USD) | $0 USD |
| 💶 Min. Deposit (ZAR) | R0 ZAR |
| 5️⃣ Trust Score | 4.8 |
Fact: Buyers will have the choice of keeping their bitcoins in the exchange or transferring them to their personal Bitcoin wallet.
Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Strong encryption, 2FA, and cold storage for funds | Higher than many competitors, especially for small trades |
| Easy to use for beginners | Supports fewer cryptocurrencies compared to Binance or KuCoin |
| Lower fees, better tools for experienced traders | Some features are not available in all countries |
| Quick transactions for fiat and crypto | Reports of delays in response times |
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How to Choose the Best Bitcoin Exchange in South Africa
Choosing the Best Crypto Exchange will depend on the buyer’s personal preference.
However, there are notable features that need to be considered before signing up. Notable features include:
- Security and Regulation.
- Available Support assets and Payment methods.
- Fees and Customer Service or Support
The most important feature when choosing an exchange is security. It is essential to choose an exchange with strong security measures as crypto exchanges are a prime target for hackers.
How to Buy Bitcoin in South Africa
The top three ways to buy Bitcoin in South Africa include:
- Bitcoin Exchange – Overall, the Best Way to Buy Bitcoin in South Africa
- Credit and Debit Cards – Most Popular Way to Buy and Sell Crypto in SA
- Bitcoin ATM – The Easiest way to buy Bitcoin in South Africa
Buy Bitcoin using a Bitcoin exchange
Luno is one of the most popular and trustworthy Bitcoin exchanges in South Africa. Users can buy, sell, store, and trade Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Sign up for an account with Luno:
Sign up for a free Luno Wallet via the web, iOS, or Android, and follow easy instructions to register, set up a profile, and redeem the promo code. Buyers can sign up for Luno by using their personal/business email address and password. Luno will send a confirmation email to register the newly created account.
Verify your account:
To Verify an account, the account holder will need to select the settings option in the menu bar and click on the Upgrade Option to link to the Personal details page.
Once the Personal Details section has been completed and verified, the account will be upgraded accordingly:
- Level 0: The account and personal details have not yet been verified
- Level 1: The account is verified and limited to a total of R15 000 for deposits and withdrawals
- Level 2: The account is verified and limited to R50 000 for deposits and withdrawals
The final level, Level 3 means the account is verified and no limit is set for deposits or withdrawals.
Deposit money into the account:
When the account has been verified, the buyer will be able to immediately deposit money into the account and buy Bitcoin.
When the deposit has cleared in the Luno account, it will show up in the digital wallet.
- Select ‘Wallets’ to make a deposit.
- Select ‘Deposits’ at the bottom of the wallet link.
- Select a preferred bank from the list of main banks in South Africa listed on the site.
- Select ‘Next’ to instruct Luno on how much money will be deposited into the account.
A reference number will appear on the screen. Buyers will need this reference number as well as the Luno banking details to make a deposit.
Buy Bitcoin with Instant Buy:
The ‘Instant Buy’ feature on Luno is a fast and easy way to buy Bitcoin in South Africa.
However, there is a fee for this facility and a cheaper option is to place a ‘Buy order’ through Luno.
Select the ‘Buy/Sell” button on the Luno screen and switch between Bitcoin (BTC) and Rand to transact.
Select ‘Buy’ to complete the order.
Place a Buy Order on the Exchange to buy Bitcoin
To place an order to buy Bitcoin, the following steps should be taken:
Select ‘Exchange’ to go through to the ‘Buy Order’ feature.
Select ‘Place Order’ to activate a ‘Buy Order’ request where the order to buy will be matched by a person’s order to sell.
Any outstanding amount that is not matched in a buy/sell order will remain in the account holder’s account and is available to be matched with other buy/sell orders until the whole amount has been spent.
The Place Buy Order option can now be selected when the buyer is ready to buy the Bitcoin.
Once the transaction has been confirmed, the buyers’ Bitcoin and ZAR balances will be updated.
Buy Bitcoin with a Credit or Debit Card
Bitcoin can be bought by using a Credit or Debit Card in collaboration with a reliable cryptocurrency exchange.
The buyer will be able to add their debit card or credit card information and send money online after their personal information has been validated.
The Best Debit and Credit Card options for buying Bitcoin in South Africa are using cards issued by VISA or MasterCard.
Buy Bitcoin with a Bitcoin ATM
Buyers can select to buy Bitcoin via select Bitcoin ATMs’ bi-directional functionality. Additionally, for this option, the buyer will need access to a digital Bitcoin Wallet.
Once at the ATM, the buyer will be required to select the type of cryptocurrency they wish to purchase, scan the barcode of their specific Bitcoin wallet, insert cash, and confirm the transaction. The cryptocurrency will then be transferred to the wallet.
The Best App to Buy Bitcoin in South Africa
The Top 3 apps to buy Bitcoin in South Africa include:
- OKX – Overall, the Best App to Buy Bitcoin in South Africa
- eToro – High User Trust Score
- AvaTrade – Best App to buy Crypto for Beginners
1. OKX
OKX offers unlimited possibilities for access to a crypto app. Investors can buy crypto for as little as USD 5.
Min Deposit
USD 0
Regulators
Not Regulated
Trading Platform
OKX Desktop, OKX Mobile
Crypto
Yes
Total Pairs
0
Islamic Account
No
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
The OKX app offers access to 80+ networks and the opportunity to manage crypto assets seamlessly.
Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Low fees | Complicated fee structure |
| Advanced trade types | Security concerns |
| Crypto staking and lending | Not beginner-friendly |
| High liquidity | Limited customer support |
2. eToro
eToro is a popular broker choice amongst novice and professional traders.
Min Deposit
USD 50 in *certain countries
Regulators
FCA, ASIC, CySEC
Trading Platform
Proprietary WebTrader
Crypto
Yes
Total Pairs
0
Islamic Account
Yes
Trading Fees
Low
Account Activation
24 Hours
* Etoro has lowered the amount of the minimum FTD to $ 50 for the following countries: Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland.
The eToro intuitive mobile app offers access to 5000+ assets, low, transparent fees, and the option to open an account and buy Bitcoin.
Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Free stock trading | High forex fees |
| Easy Sign-Up | Slow Withdrawal |
| Social Trading | Single base currency |
| Low CFD Fees | $5 USD Withdrawal Fee |
3. AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a leading Forex and Financial Services provider that is trusted by thousands across the globe.
Min Deposit
USD 100
Regulators
ASIC, FSA, CBI, BVI, FSCA, FRSA, CySEC, ISA, JFSA
Trading Platform
MT4, MT5, Ava Social, Ava Protect, Trading Central
Crypto
Yes
AvaTrade offers investors in South Africa the opportunity to Buy or Sell on all Bitcoin trades.
Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Highly Regulated | Pricing trails industry leaders |
| Multiple Trading Platforms | Outdated AvaOptions desktop platform |
| Leading Trading App | Limited Research |
| Offers Social Trading | Charges inactive account fees |
Buying Bitcoin in South Africa – Is it Legal?
It is legal and regulated to buy and sell crypto in South Africa. Several cryptocurrency exchanges and trading platforms operate under the regulatory authority of the FSCA and individuals plus businesses are free to legally make use of cryptocurrencies.
Is Cryptocurrency Taxable in South Africa?
Yes, cryptocurrency is subject to tax in South Africa as SARS considers it to be an intangible asset for tax purposes. Any gains that are made from buying or selling crypto such as Bitcoin will be subject to Tax and individuals will be required to declare crypto asset gains or losses as part of their taxable income.
Conclusion
The process of buying Bitcoin in South Africa is not complicated. Nevertheless, it is a process that needs to be undertaken with caution in terms of security as well as different fees.
Start by identifying trustworthy cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance, Luno, or Coinbase that have convenient and great acceptability in the region such as the SA south region.
Then, use a local bank transfer or credit card to load your account after you have registered and gone through the KYC process.
After that, you will be able to buy Bitcoin since your account has been funded. Try to purchase Bitcoin and, for optimal security, think about moving it to a private wallet instead of keeping it at the exchange.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Bitcoin promo code in South Africa?
The most basic way to receive a Bitcoin promo code in South Africa is to visit the registered Crypto Exchanges.
How do I get a Bitcoin wallet in South Africa?
Registered Crypto Exchanges in South Africa will make Bitcoin wallets available to its account holders.
What is the best app for beginners in South Africa to buy Bitcoin?
Luno offers the best app for beginners in South Africa to buy Bitcoin.
How do I buy cryptocurrency with a credit card?
Research the credit card to determine if it allows crypto purchases and what fees will be charged. Find an exchange that allows crypto purchases with a credit card and fund the crypto account by inputting the credit card information and linking the card to the exchange account.
How do I buy cryptocurrency with a debit card?
Research the debit card to determine if it allows crypto purchases and what fees will be charged. Find an exchange that allows crypto purchases with a debit card and fund the crypto account by inputting the debit card information and linking the card to the exchange account.
Should I buy Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a risky and volatile asset; however many investors in South Africa take the risk of buying Bitcoin because of the potential high returns based on Bitcoin’s historical outperformance to the S&P.
Where can I find a Bitcoin ATM in South Africa?
Bitcoin ATMS in South Africa can be located in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Nelspruit.
How much money should I invest in Bitcoin?
Many Bitcoin investors in South Africa consider around 5% – 30% of their investment capital to be safe, while others are comfortable with an investment of between 15% – 30%
Is Bitcoin a good investment for beginners?
If you are looking for short-term profit, the high liquidity associated with Bitcoin makes it a good investment, but bear in mind that Bitcoin is also a very high-risk investment because of its volatile assets.
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