8 best crypto exchanges in South Africa

1. Binance – Best exchange (overall)

Go to site

Binance Cryptocurrency Exchange

360+
Supported cryptos

71
Fiat currencies

• Why we chose it
• Pros & cons
• Fees & deposits

Binance is a feature-rich exchange with competitive fees and a huge range of supported cryptocurrencies. You can start building a cryptocurrency portfolio today with over 300 coins available to buy with South African rands.

Binance is the world's most popular exchange with around 128 million users and more trading volume than any competitor.

Binance also has a broad range of earning opportunities with staking, savings accounts and yield farming available for over 100 coins. It's also home to an NFT marketplace.

More experienced traders will enjoy the platform's suite of advanced trading options, including several order types, automated trades and charting options.

In 2020, Binance released its own blockchain, Binance Smart Chain (BSC). BNB is the native coin of BSC and offers Binance users a number of benefits. In particular, using BNB to pay for trading fees results in a 25% discount.

Several of BSC's features have now been added to the Binance exchange. Users can access decentralized finance (DeFi) services from within the platform, preventing the need to learn how to use a blockchain or a Web3 wallet.

Pros

• Low trading fees
• Free and instant deposit and withdrawal methods for ZAR
• Huge range of supported cryptocurrencies
• Comprehensive earning features
• US$1 billion insurance fund
• Smartphone app offers Lite mode for beginners

Cons

• Website can be overwhelming for beginners
• Poor customer service score on Trustpilot
• Ongoing regulatory issues in China, the UK, the US and Japan

Deposit methods	Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, P2P
Deposit fees	None
Withdrawal fees	Fees vary
Trading fees	0-0.1%
Advanced Trading Features	Yes

2. Kraken – Best exchange for USD trading

Go to site

Kraken Cryptocurrency Exchange

220+
Supported cryptos

6
Fiat currencies

• Why we chose it
• Pros & cons
• Fees & deposits

Kraken is one of the longest-running platforms in the industry and has maintained its legacy by constantly improving its services. It's a feature-rich exchange with a strong emphasis on education, which is why it won Finder's Crypto Trading Platform award for best global crypto exchange. You can start building a cryptocurrency portfolio today from 200+ supported coins.

Kraken is popular with over 9 million users and exceeds a daily trading volume of US$500 million, which makes it one of the world's largest exchanges. But for overall features and trading tools, Kraken really blows everyone out of the water. It is clearly made for traders, but it doesn't leave novices behind either.

Kraken has a broad range of staking options and advanced trading features. It prides itself on offering low spreads and providing deep liquidity across markets. This means that you don't need to worry as much about slippage.

While new traders may feel daunted by the exchange at first, the large variety of guides Kraken offers can help anyone become knowledgeable about cryptocurrency, its underlying technology and the different forms of trading. Meanwhile, more experienced traders will appreciate its high-quality system and easy-to-use UI (user interface) as well as be pleasantly surprised by how straightforward it is to trade, move crypto and manage assets on the platform.

Pros

• 200+ supported coins
• Launched in 2013, Kraken is one of the longest-running crypto exchanges
• Low fees for active traders
• Earn yield through staking
• High-quality educational guides and tools

Cons

• ZAR deposits not available
• Higher fees for credit card purchases
• No crypto debit card available for spending, unlike some alternatives

Deposit methods	Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay
Deposit fees	Fees vary
Withdrawal fees	Fees vary
Trading fees	Maker: 0.00-0.16% Taker: 0.10-0.26%

3. VALR – Best South African crypto exchange

Go to site

VALR Crypto Exchange

60+
Supported cryptos

2
Fiat currencies

• Why we chose it
• Pros & cons
• Fees & deposits

Launched in 2018, VALR is a local exchange that has grown to be among the highest trading-volume exchanges in South Africa. It caters to both novice and experienced traders, is easy to navigate and offers a simple app for on-the-go trading.

You can load your account using multiple payment methods including credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallet deposits, most of which are free.

VALR also offers competitive fees, with takers paying as low as 0.1% and maker's fees at -0.01% to reward users for adding liquidity to the market. The exchange also offers an attractive rewards and rebates program offering the potential to earn up to 15% in rebates on all trades.

Pros

• Buy/sell 60+ high market cap assets
• AI-powered Know Your Customer (KYC) process
• Set auto-buys for automated investing
• Earn rebates and rewards the more you trade
• Cold storage of user assets

Cons

• Spot trading only - you'll need to go elsewhere for derivatives
• Fiat withdrawal fees are comparatively high

Deposit methods	Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, Wire transfer, Bank transfer (EFT)
Deposit fees	ZAR deposit via EFT: None ZAR deposit via Card: 3.9% Cryptocurrency: None USDC via USD wire transfer: $10
Withdrawal fees	ZAR Normal: None (capped at 30 per month, R8.50 thereafter) Cryptocurrency: Fees vary USDC via USD wire transfer: $25
Trading fees	Maker: -0.01% Taker: 0.1%

4. Coinbase – Best exchange for beginners

Go to site Read review

Coinbase Digital Currency Exchange

★★★★★

Finder score

240+
Supported cryptos

23
Fiat currencies

43
States supported (incl. FL, NY, TX)

• Why we chose it
• Pros & cons
• Fees & deposits
• States supported

Coinbase is a renowned global exchange known for its beginner-friendly approach to crypto. It is also one of the world's most used crypto exchanges, with more than 108 million registered users across 100+ countries and some of the largest daily trading volumes.

Coinbase's best-known product is its crypto trading platform. Customers can buy, sell or convert cryptocurrency instantly through a streamlined and simple user interface that has been designed to suit total newcomers.

It is becoming equally well-known for its Learn and Earn program which rewards users with free cryptocurrency for every learning module they successfully complete.

If you are looking for something more advanced, Coinbase's Advanced Trade (formerly Coinbase Pro) features offer lower trading frees and more trading options including limit orders and stop loss orders.

Pros

• Beginner-friendly interface
• Trade with South African Tether (xZAR)
• Over 200 coins
• Learn and Earn program pays out crypto rewards while you upskill

Cons

• Instant buy and sell fees are high relative to using the Advanced Trade feature
• Customer service is often reported to be slow
• Limited staking and earning opportunities
• Coinbase Visa card not available in South Africa

Deposit methods	Bank transfer (ACH), Debit card, PayPal, Wire transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay
Deposit fees	Wire transfer: $10
Withdrawal fees	Wire transfer: $25
Trading fees	Maker: 0.00 - 0.4% Taker: 0.05 - 0.6%

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV

• AL
• AK
• AZ
• AR
• CO
• CT
• DE
• FL
• GA
• ID
• IL
• IA
• KS
• KY
• LA

• ME
• MD
• MI
• MN
• MS
• MO
• NE
• NV
• NH
• NJ
• NM
• NY
• NC
• ND

• OH
• OK
• OR
• PA
• RI
• SC
• SD
• TN
• TX
• UT
• VT
• VA
• WA
• WV

5. Luno – Best exchange app

Luno Cryptocurrency Exchange

★★★★★

Finder score

10+
Supported cryptos

12
Fiat currencies

• Why we chose it
• Pros & cons
• Fees & deposits

With over 10 million customers in 43 countries, the Luno exchange offers a simple way to get started in crypto investing. It cements its spot as another of our highly commended trading platforms.

Access a range of popular cryptocurrencies with as little as $1 and set up recurring purchases according to your preferred frequency.

Along with its user-friendly interface and a suite of learning tools, Luno is worth checking out, especially if you're just getting started and prefer an exchange without much of a learning curve.

Pros

• Supports direct bank withdrawals and deposits. Deposit up to $200,000 per transaction into your Luno wallet directly from your bank account.
• Highly secure. Majority of its clients' digital assets are held in 'deep freeze' using a multi-sig wallet where the keys are generated and stored entirely offline and offsite.
• Intuitive trading web platform and mobile app. Beginner-friendly interface and informative learning portal make it easy for anyone to get started in crypto investing.

Cons

• High trading fees. Luno charges a trading fee of 0.75% for buying and selling cryptocurrency, which is high compared to its competitors.
• Limited cryptocurrencies. Luno only offers 8 cryptos.
• May not be suitable for active traders. Luno does not offer margin lending or advanced trading tools.

Deposit methods	Bank transfer, Cryptocurrency, PayID, Debit/credit cards
Deposit fees	Bank Transfer - $0 ($1.30 for below $50.00) PayID - $0 ($1.30 for below $50.00) Credit card - 3.5% Debit card - 3.5% Cryptocurrency - 2%
Withdrawal fees	AUD - $0 ($1.30 for below $50.00) Cryptocurrency - 2%
Trading fees	Maker: 0% Taker: 0.03-0.10%

6. Easy Crypto – Best crypto broker

Easy Crypto Cryptocurrency Exchange

160+
Supported cryptos

1
Fiat currency

• Why we chose it
• Pros & cons
• Fees & deposits

Easy Crypto is a popular choice for South Africans looking for a simple way to instantly purchase crypto. Its beginner-friendly approach to crypto investing has earned it our pick for best crypto broker.

To get started with Easy Crypto, simply create an account via email or social media and verify your information for the standard Know Your Customer (KYC) process. Once your account is set up and funded, you can instantly swap South African rand for cryptocurrency using the quick buy/sell feature.

Popular cryptos and top gainers are displayed in a priority block, helping you to discover potential market movers at a glance. And, if you ever need help, you can get in touch with Easy Crypto's customer support team.

Once you've got the hang of things and made some swaps, you can check your trading history, view your profits/losses report via the portfolio dashboard and generate a tax summary for EOFY reporting.

Pros

• 150+ coins supported
• Supports auto-buy orders
• Learn as you go through the educational hub
• Generate simple tax summaries

Cons

• Popular trading pairs like USDT and other stablecoins not available
• No staking or earning features available
• Limited to just simple coin and fiat swaps
• No advanced features

Deposit methods	Bank transfer, Stitch, Ozow, SiD EFT
Deposit fees	None
Withdrawal fees	None
Trading fees	1.5%

7. Bybit – Best exchange for advanced trading

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Bybit Cryptocurrency Exchange

★★★★★

Finder score

270+
Supported cryptos

73
Fiat currencies

• Why we chose it
• Pros & cons
• Fees & deposits

Bybit is one of the world's biggest crypto trading and derivatives exchanges by volume. The Singapore-based exchange supports advanced trading types for a large number of crypto coins across a range of spot and derivatives markets. As a result, it is more suited to a seasoned crypto investor who understands leveraged trading and the additional risks that go with it.

While the exchange is known mainly for its derivatives trading feature, it also supports instant buys and has a number of crypto-earning products on offer – some of which are more complex than others.

Plus, if you are intrigued by the NFT market, Bybit's platform is a one-stop shop for minting, purchasing and bidding on NFTs as well.

Pros

• Many assets offered, including cryptos and NFTs
• Trade with up to 100x leverage
• Low trading fees
• Digital assets stored in multi-sig cold storage wallets

Cons

• Leveraged trading is high risk, as losses can exceed deposits
• Limited spot trading pairs
• Derivatives trading is not suitable for beginners

Deposit methods	Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, P2P
Deposit fees	Fees vary
Withdrawal fees	Fees vary
Trading fees	Fees vary

8. KuCoin – Best exchange for emerging altcoins

Go to site

KuCoin Cryptocurrency Exchange

740+
Supported cryptos

50
Fiat currencies

• Why we chose it
• Pros & cons
• Fees & deposits

Sign up and get up to US$10 in rewards. Make trades to get up to US$500 in rewards. T&Cs apply.

KuCoin offers an impressive selection of up-and-coming altcoins compared to other centralised crypto exchanges, which is why it was our standout pick as the best exchange if you're looking for emerging altcoins.

Usually, to buy lesser-known altcoins, you have to purchase them through a decentralised exchange (DEX) like Uniswap or PancakeSwap, which requires you to know how to use a Web3 wallet.

With KuCoin, all you have to do is create your account and, just like that, you have access to 700+ digital assets.

Keep in mind that many of these assets are brand new, untested and much more volatile in price than assets like BTC or ETH, so proceed with caution.

Pros

• Provides access to 700+ digital assets
• Know Your Customer (KYC) process is not required to use the exchange
• Offers staking
• Low trading fees
• Supports South African rand (ZAR)

Cons

• Numerous poor customer service reviews
• Many of the assets listed on KuCoin are highly volatile in price

Deposit methods	Bank transfer, Credit card, Cryptocurrency, Debit card, P2P
Deposit fees	None
Withdrawal fees	Cryptocurrency: Fees vary
Trading fees	Maker: 0.005-0.1% Taker: 0.005-.08%
Advanced Trading Features	Yes

Why you can trust Finder's crypto experts

How to choose the best crypto exchange in South Africa

It's important to research a wide range of crypto platforms and compare the pros and cons of each option. The best crypto exchange for you depends on what you're looking for, so consider the following:

• User-friendliness and trading tools

  If you're a crypto novice, getting started buying and selling coins and tokens can be complicated and confusing. On the other hand, experienced traders may want a platform with special features such as advanced charting and order types, plus the option to trade on margin.

  If you're a beginner at crypto trading, look for a platform with a straightforward user interface that's easy to understand.

• Payment methods

  Can you deposit funds into your account via bank transfer, debit card and/or PayPal? The more payment options an exchange has, the more convenient it generally is to use. Make sure your exchange has deposit and withdrawal options that work for you. Remember to check the fees associated with different methods.

• Type of trading

  First, consider the type of trades you want to place. Some exchanges offer these trading options:

  • Fiat-to-crypto
  • Crypto-to-crypto
  • Both fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-crypto

  For example, if you want to buy BTC with South African Rands, you'll need to find a platform that allows you to buy coins via bank transfer or card. Alternatively, if you want to exchange your BTC or ETH holdings for another cryptocurrency, you'll want a platform that offers direct crypto-to-crypto trades.

• Cryptocurrency selection

  Consider which currencies you want to trade and which platforms list those currencies in one or more trading pairs:

  • Cryptocurrencies. There are thousands of different cryptocurrencies in existence, so don't expect to find them all listed on any single platform. Major cryptocurrencies such as BTC, ETH, XRP and others in the top 20 coins by market capitalisation are listed on an extensive range of exchanges. However, rarer altcoins may be much harder to find.
  • Fiat currencies. If you want to buy crypto with South African Rands, check which currencies the platform accepts.

  You can find an overview of the crypto assets and fiat currencies that each exchange supports in the table. Read the full review for a more detailed analysis.

• Fees

  From depositing to trading and withdrawing funds, how much will it cost you to buy and sell crypto on each platform? Consider your payment method, the currencies you want to use and any discounts you may be entitled to when completing these calculations. For instance, fees for credit card purchases are usually higher than for a bank transfer.

  You can find detailed information on fees for each exchange by clicking on the "View details" text in the table.

• Limits

  Are there any limits on the amount you can deposit into your account or the amount of cryptocurrency you can buy or sell per transaction or per day? This question typically only applies to what some colloquially call "crypto whales" or people who make transactions ranging in value from hundreds of thousands to millions of South African Rands.

  Most exchanges that require the Know Your Customer (KYC) process allow you to deposit and withdraw tens of thousands of South African Rands per day. This is more than most average traders deposit and withdraw on a daily basis.

• App or desktop

  How can you access your trading account? Certain platforms only allow you to trade through a web browser, but some have mobile apps. If trading on the go is important to you, it's worth reading up on whether or not the exchange has a mobile app and how easy it is to use.

• Earning

  If you are looking to earn a yield on your cryptocurrency, you can do so through exchanges that offer earning options. Certain exchanges allow you to either lend or stake your cryptocurrency as a means to earn a yield on it.

  Lending involves loaning out your cryptocurrency to other users or businesses who pay you a fee for doing so. Staking involves locking up your assets to help them secure a blockchain network.

  Before using any exchange to generate yield, make sure you understand the risks involved, what type of earning the exchange offers and whether it's appropriate for your needs.

• Prices

  The price of a digital asset is determined by whatever people are willing to pay for it.

  Most brokers or instant buy services charge a fee as part of the service it provides. This means you will pay anywhere from a fraction of a percent to a few percent more than the going rate of the asset when you make the purchase.

  If you purchase your asset in the spot market, you can set the price that you want to pay and then wait for your order to be filled. For example, if you are willing to pay US$21,000 for 1 BTC, then you can set a limit order to buy BTC at that price in hopes that someone is willing to sell it to you at that price.

• Liquidity

  The level of liquidity on an exchange affects the ease and speed with which you can complete trades. If there's a high level of liquidity – in other words, if the exchange has a high trading volume – then trades should be completed quickly and easily.

  One of the biggest benefits of trading on larger crypto exchanges is they get enough orders to match buyers and sellers without any difficulty. However, low liquidity can lead to substantial price fluctuations.

  You can check websites such as CoinGecko or CoinMarketCap to get a better idea of an exchange's level of liquidity.

• Account verification process

  Most centralised crypto exchanges these days require you to complete a KYC or identity verification process.

  But some exchanges still let you deposit crypto and trade crypto-to-crypto without completing the KYC process.

  The said exchanges may not be properly regulated, so please proceed with caution if you choose to use these, especially if they are located offshore.

  Keep in mind that these exchanges may limit the amount of crypto you can withdraw from the exchange on a daily basis.

  For exchanges that require the KYC process, verification requirements vary. You will likely need to provide some or all of the following:

  • Your name
  • Your email address and phone number
  • Your address
  • Proof of ID
  • Proof of address
  • A photo of yourself holding a signed declaration

  If you need to provide a wide range of personal information, it's important to be sure you're dealing with a trusted exchange.

  It's also a good idea to research how long you can expect the verification process to take. For some exchanges, it can take up to 2–3 business days while others are near-instant.

  Finally, be aware that some exchanges require you to complete additional verification tasks to unlock full account features and permit higher transaction limits.

• Broker vs exchange

  What is the difference between a brokerage and an exchange? How long will it take for your transaction to be completed? Is one better than the other?

  Broker. Brokers buy and sell cryptocurrency to you. They typically charge a convenience fee for this, which may be hidden as a spread or markup on the going market rate.

  The advantage of using a broker is your transactions should be instant. When you purchase crypto using either the fiat you've deposited into your account or with a card, that crypto should be available to you right away.

  The same goes for when you decide to sell your crypto for fiat. You sell the broker your crypto in exchange for fiat and the fiat should instantly register in your account.

  Exchange. An exchange has a spot market, which is where users come to place buy and sell orders on the open market. Doing so allows you to set a specific price for an asset. For instance, if you think the price of Bitcoin will go down from US$23,000 to US$21,000, you can set an order for US$21,000 and wait for it to be filled. Likewise, you can set an order to sell your assets for a higher price than what is being offered.

  Exchanges may also offer brokerage services.

  Most exchanges allow you to withdraw crypto to your own wallet. This is sometimes not the case with brokers.

  Whether you use an exchange or broker will come down to your own needs and whether you plan to trade regularly or make a few one-off purchases now and then.

• Security features

  Security is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a crypto exchange.

  There have been more than a handful of cases in which exchanges have been hacked in crypto's history, so do your research on what security measures are in place to protect your funds.

  Questions you should ask include the following:

  • Is the exchange ld and regulated by the proper authorities?
  • Is 2-factor authentication (2FA) – a code sent to your phone each time you log in – supported?
  • What percentage of customer funds are stored offline or in cold storage? Cold storage refers to storing the private keys to digital assets somewhere offline to greatly reduce the ability for hackers to access the assets.
  • What level of verification is required to open an account?
  • Have you checked the exchange's trust score on CoinGecko or CER?

• Local regulation

  Though authorities around the world are starting to catch up to the rapid growth of crypto exchanges, the industry as a whole is still lightly regulated. How an exchange is regulated depends on where it is based, so do your research to find out whatever information you can about the platform operators.

  Cryptocurrency exchange operators based in South Africa are likely required to meet the government's Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) compliance and reporting obligations.

  It's also worth noting that due to regulatory requirements, users from certain countries will not be allowed to access some exchanges. As always, check the fine print to find out whether any of these geographical restrictions apply in South Africa.

• Customer support

  This is a crucial but often overlooked factor when comparing crypto exchanges. If you ever have a problem with an individual transaction or with your account, how will you access a platform's customer support team?

  You'll need to consider the following:

  • Is customer support available through email, phone and/or live chat?
  • Is support available 24/7 or only during specific hours?
  • How quickly does the support team respond to inquiries?
  • Is support offered in a language you are comfortable speaking?

• Reputation

  Does the exchange have a reputation as a secure and reliable platform? Finder has reviewed a number of crypto exchanges to craft a list of the best crypto exchanges in South Africa.

  In efforts to assess the soundness and reliability of crypto exchanges, we look at whether or not exchanges are properly regulated, how they secure the private keys to the crypto they hold and the level of customer support they provide, among other factors.

  You can also read our dedicated review for each exchange or see what other users think of the platform using a third-party service like Trustpilot.

Using FSCA-registered exchanges to buy cryptocurrency

There are plenty of places to buy crypto, including platforms founded here in South Africa or based in locations all around the world. Exchanges headquartered locally are required to register with the FSCA and comply with requirements that don't apply to global platforms. Depending on your goals, this may have some benefits or drawbacks.

Pros

• South Africa-based exchanges must comply with the FSCA's anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) reporting obligations.
• You can usually buy crypto with ZAR.
• Exchanges in South Africa typically support local payment methods.
• You may be able to access local customer support.
• Subject to local laws.

Cons

• You'll need to provide your personal details and proof of ID – a disadvantage if you want to trade anonymously.
• Overseas trading platforms may provide better liquidity.
• ZAR-to-crypto prices are sometimes slightly higher than USD-to-crypto prices, meaning you sometimes pay a premium for buying directly with South African Rands.
• Some features are simply not available on FSCA-registered exchanges. For example, margin trading, DeFi features and some altcoins.

Compare more crypto trading platforms and apps in South Africa

Use the table to compare crypto exchanges and platforms on fees, range of cryptos, deposit methods and more. Once you've found the right fit, select Go to site to get started.

How to use a cryptocurrency exchange

For the sake of our example, let's assume that you have R500 that you want to use to buy Bitcoin (BTC).

1. Compare cryptocurrency exchanges to find one that offers the right service for you.
2. Register for an account on the platform and provide any personal details and proof of ID required.
3. Navigate your way to the "Buy" screen.
4. Select BTC as the cryptocurrency you want to buy.
5. Select your payment currency, which in this case is ZAR, and specify the amount you want to spend as R500.
6. Select your payment method, such as a debit card payment or bank transfer.
7. Enter your payment details, such as your account number if sending a bank transfer or your card number and CVV if paying by card.
8. Review the full details of your transaction, including the fees that will apply and the amount of BTC you are purchasing.
9. If you're happy to proceed, click "Buy BTC".
10. Once the transaction has been processed, the BTC will be deposited into your exchange wallet. However, please note that some brokers will automatically send your purchased BTC to an external wallet address that you nominate.

How to pay for your cryptocurrency in South Africa

Crypto exchanges in South Africa support a range of deposit methods, including the following:

• Credit and debit cards
• Bank and wire transfers
• Cryptocurrency transfers
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) payments
• Neteller, Skrill and other online payment services

Accepted payment methods vary between exchanges. Prior to signing up, it's worth checking that your preferred payment method is supported.

The different types of cryptocurrency exchanges

The term "exchange" may refer to a variety of cryptocurrency brokers, trading platforms and other services. Different types of exchange are often more geared toward beginners or experienced users.

• Cryptocurrency brokers. Buy directly from cryptocurrency dealers for simple and quick purchases. A broker will facilitate an instant purchase of the digital asset of your choosing and will not offer spot trading.
• Cryptocurrency trading platforms (suited to beginner/intermediate users). Buy and sell cryptocurrency on an open market for competitive fees, a wide selection of cryptocurrencies and optional features like margin trading. Many exchanges now offer brokerage services to be more beginner-friendly.
• Cryptocurrency derivatives platforms (suited to advanced users and not available in some countries). These trading platforms don't sell cryptocurrency outright. Instead, they let certain users trade cryptocurrency derivatives in regions where this restricted-access feature is available. They're for advanced traders who want high speed, high leverage and deeply liquid platforms with a full range of features.

Risks of using a crypto exchange

• Cybersecurity breaches. Hacks and scams are, unfortunately, commonplace in the crypto space. Exchange-related security breaches and targeted phishing scams remain a major concern for exchanges and their customers.
• Not your keys. "Not your keys, not your crypto" is a common industry saying and refers to holding your digital assets in a wallet that another person or company controls, such as on an exchange. By storing cryptos on an exchange rather than in a non-custodial wallet, you're relinquishing full ownership of those assets and putting trust in a third party – which some may see as contradictory to the decentralised philosophy of crypto.
• Lack of consumer protection. While crypto exchanges are increasingly regulated in South Africa and may be registered with the FSCA, they are still lacking a lot of consumer protections such as mandatory insurance or strict rules about how user assets are managed.
• Proof of reserves. Since the widely publicised collapse of FTX, many traders and investors have demanded centralised exchanges provide proof of reserves and user deposits. This may be done by a third-party auditor or through the use of on-chain data. Proof of reserves is still an evolving concept, and it's not clear yet what the best practices are or how reliable it will prove to be.
• Transaction limits. Most crypto trading platforms have daily deposit and withdrawal limits. This means that even though you may have, for example, 10,000 ZAR available, you may not be able to access and withdraw the total balance. Transaction limits depend on the exchange and the FSCA stipulations and typically increase as you provide additional KYC information.
• Frozen accounts. Crypto exchanges freezing deposits and withdrawals can happen without warning. If your account is frozen, you will not be allowed to remove your funds until the exchange approves or denies your request. Precautionary measures such as only holding a trading balance on an exchange are recommended.
• Asset delistings. Centralised exchanges can opt to delist a cryptocurrency at any time. This can happen for numerous reasons, including poor asset performance, security concerns or anti-money laundering (AML) breaches. If delisting is taking place, you will be notified by the exchange and forced to sell your assets or remove them from the platform.

Is it safe to store your cryptocurrency on an exchange?

Securely store your crypto:

• Best crypto wallets
• Best hardware wallets

Cryptocurrency is held in digital wallets. Some exchanges will give you your own wallet that lets you hold cryptocurrency in your exchange account and then transfer it anywhere as desired.

However, once you have purchased what you consider to be a sizeable amount of digital assets, you may want to consider transferring the private keys to those assets to a self-custodial wallet.

This is because the exchange controls the private key to your wallet, which means you don't have total control of your funds. And with exchanges sometimes falling victim to hackers, there is some degree of risk involved with leaving the private keys to your crypto in the hands of a centralised exchange.

Learn about wallets

2024 crypto exchange industry predictions report

We polled 56 specialists in the fintech industry to get their opinion on what the future looks like for centralised crypto exchanges and what the demise of FTX means for the crypto industry.

The vast majority of our panellists (83.93%) don't think the collapse of FTX was the beginning of the end for crypto, while 8.93% think it was and 7.14% are unsure.

However, because of the FTX collapse, more than half of our panellists (58.49%) believe that crypto exchanges should be regulated just as much as other financial trading platforms.

22.64% believe that crypto exchanges should be regulated, but less so than other financial trading platforms. 15.09% don't believe that crypto exchanges should be regulated to the same degree.

Over one-third of our panellists (35.19%) believe all crypto exchanges will be regulated as traditional financial institutions by 2030. A further 22.22% believe this will happen by 2025 and another 14.81% think it will happen by 2024.

In the future, the majority of our panellists (86.79%) feel that crypto exchanges should be required to disclose both their proof of reserves (PoR) and records of their liabilities.

42.31% think that more crypto exchanges will face bankruptcy as a result of a reduction in their customer base. 15.38% believe this will play out over the next 5 years while a quarter (26.92%) think it'll happen within the year.

Finder surveyed 56 fintech specialists in January 2023. Panellists are able to answer as many or as few questions as they like, meaning the number of responses received varies by question. Panellists may own some cryptocurrencies.

Bottom line

Not all crypto exchanges are created equal and not all crypto buyers and sellers have the same trading needs. The best exchange or platform for one person might not necessarily be the right choice for someone else, so it's essential to do your own research.

Read our reviews of some of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges in South Africa and around the world before you decide which to use. Compare the features, fees and pros and cons of each platform and consider whether they align with your investment goals and budget.

Frequently asked questions

• Which crypto exchange is safest?

  The safest exchanges in South Africa have stringent security measures like Know Your Customer (KYC) registration, password protection and a 2-factor authentication (2FA) option.

  Other green flags to look out for include the majority of user funds held in cold storage and a publicly available insurance policy for user deposits.

  Keep in mind that all centralised cryptocurrency exchanges are vulnerable to hacking, so consider using a hardware wallet for added security.

• Which crypto exchange has the lowest fees?

  There are lots of fees to take into account when choosing an exchange. Exchanges like Kraken and Binance are known for having competitive transaction fees.

  But, it's also important to consider deposit and withdrawal fees, possible account inactivity fees and spreads on top of this. A good place to start is by comparing fees with our table.

• What is the most trustworthy crypto exchange?

  Due diligence and research are incredibly important when choosing a crypto exchange you can trust.

  As a good rule of thumb, look for exchanges with a long history of serving customers without hacks — like Coinbase, Kraken or Binance.

  A great way to dive deeper is by reading our extended reviews of each crypto exchange and researching customer feedback on platforms like Trustpilot as well as industry data.

• Why do some crypto exchanges ask me to verify my identity?

  Exchanges in South Africa and several other countries are subject to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws. In order to comply, exchange operators must gather certain details about their customers – which is why you may be asked to provide proof of ID. This process is typically referred to as "know your customer" or KYC.

Methodology

To evaluate our 2024 picks for the best crypto exchanges in South Africa, we compared trading platforms on a range of criteria, including the following:

• Supported assets. Does the platform offer a good breadth of coins, tokens and NFTs?
• Payment methods. What account funding options are available? Does the exchange accept bank transfers, credit and debit cards or crypto-only transfers?
• Fees. What trading fees, withdrawal fees and other miscellaneous charges are levied by the exchange, and are these rates comparable with competitor exchanges?
• User experience. Is the platform simple to use for both beginners and advanced crypto traders?
• Platform features. What tools, charts and functionalities are available on the exchange? Is there support for advanced trading features such as derivatives or hedging?
• Security. What measures are taken by the exchange to protect its customers' assets and prevent theft or loss? Are additional security features in place, including 2-factor authentication (2FA), cold storage of assets, regular audits and insurance coverage?
• Regulator registration. Is the platform registered with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority?
• Customer support. How do existing users rate the exchange's customer support? Does the exchange offer various methods of contact, such as email, instant chat, phone or social media?

Related: Read our full trading platform rating methodology

Finder's crypto exchange reviews