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9 Best Crypto Exchanges in South Africa (2024)
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9 Best Crypto Exchanges in South Africa (2024)

9 Best Crypto Exchanges in South Africa (2024)
9 Best Crypto Exchanges in South Africa (2024)
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Looking for the best cryptocurrency exchange in South Africa? Our panel of experts reviewed dozens of the top platforms and identified the top 9 exchanges based on factors like user-friendliness, fees, and security!

Quick look: Best South Africa exchanges

Cryptocurrency Exchange Best For Cryptocurrency Selection Fees
Binance Cryptocurrency Selection 500+ 0 - 0.1%
Coinbase Beginners 150+ 0 - 0.60% (fees can be higher based on market conditions)
VALR South African-based Exchange 75+ -0.01% - 0.05%
Gemini Security 120+ Max fee 1.49%
AltCoinTrader South African-Based Exchange for Interest Rewards 35+ 0.1 - 0.75%
Luno Quick Verification 25+ -0.02% - 0.60%
ByBit Margin and Derivative Trades 600+ 0 - 0.2%
Yellow Card Ease of Use 5 18 ZAR (flat fee)
Uniswap Decentralized Exchange 1,000+ (only supports tokens built on Ethereum and EVM compatible chains) 0.3%

The 9 best South African exchanges

Best for Cryptocurrency Selection
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Binance
Binance
Binance is the biggest cryptocurrency exchange by volume in the world! The platform allows South African traders to buy, sell, and trade hundreds of cryptocurrencies for low fees.

CoinLedger Rating: 8.4/10
Pros & Cons
Best for Beginners
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Coinbase
Coinbase
Coinbase is one of the largest and most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. If you’re looking for an exchange with a reputation for security, Coinbase is a fantastic option.

CoinLedger Rating: 9.2/10
Pros & Cons
Best South African-based Exchange
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VALR
VALR
VALR is the largest cryptocurrency exchange headquartered in South Africa. VALR is known for offering some of the lowest trading fees on the market!

CoinLedger Rating: 8.9/10
Pros & Cons
Best for Security
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Gemini
Gemini
Gemini is an American-based exchange known for security and regulatory compliance. Gemini is beginner-friendly and supports more than 120 cryptocurrencies!

CoinLedger Rating: 8.9/10
Pros & Cons
Best South African Exchange for Interest Rewards
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AltCoinTrader
AltCoinTrader
AltCoinTrader is one of the most trusted exchanges based in South Africa! The exchange offers low fees and high security for investors.

CoinLedger Rating: 8.9/10
Pros & Cons
Best for Quick Verification
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Luno
Luno
Luno is a UK-based exchange founded in 2013. Luno is considered a beginner-friendly exchange and serves customers across Europe, Australia, and Africa.

CoinLedger Rating: 8.8/10
Pros & Cons
Best for Margin and Derivative Trades
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ByBit
ByBit
ByBit is a cryptocurrency exchange headquartered in Dubai. While ByBit is a great option for experienced investors looking for derivative trading, ByBit also offers a wide selection of cryptocurrencies and NFTs, as well as support for ZAR!

CoinLedger Rating: 8.7/10
Pros & Cons
Best for Ease of Use
Learn More
Yellow Card
Yellow Card
Yellow Card is a cryptocurrency exchange that serves investors across Africa. In 2023, the exchange was given the African financial industry’s ‘Disruptor of the Year’ award.

CoinLedger Rating: 9.2/10
Pros & Cons
Best Decentralized Exchange
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Uniswap
Uniswap
Uniswap is a decentralized exchange (DEX) built on the Ethereum blockchain. Uniswap is one of the most popular DEXs in the world and is a great option for investors looking for a decentralized option!

CoinLedger Rating: 9.4/10
Pros & Cons

How to pick a crypto exchange in South Africa? 

Not sure how to pick a cryptocurrency exchange in South Africa? Here are a few factors you should consider before getting started. 

Ease of use: It’s important to choose a cryptocurrency exchange with an easy-to-use user interface — especially if you’re new to crypto! However, experienced investors may prefer exchanges with more features. 

Fees: Understand your cryptocurrency exchange’s fee structure before getting started. If you’re buying and selling crypto on a regular basis, fees can take a significant portion of your profits! 

Reputation: Unfortunately, scams are common in the cryptocurrency space. Before you get started, take a look at third-party reviews to verify your exchange’s reputation.

Security: Take a look at the measures your exchange uses to keep your cryptocurrency safe — including two-factor authentication and cold storage! 

Cryptocurrency selection: Before you get started with a cryptocurrency exchange, look at which cryptocurrencies are available. While some investors may only be interested in investing in well-known coins like BTC and ETH, others may be looking for a diverse selection of cryptocurrencies! 

What happened to the Berry crypto trading platform? 

Berry was an unlicensed cryptocurrency exchange that was popular with cryptocurrency investors in South Africa. In 2023, Berry halted withdrawals for customers. It’s widely suspected that the cryptocurrency exchange was a Ponzi scheme. 

How to buy crypto in South Africa 

To buy cryptocurrency in South Africa, you can follow the following steps. 

  1. Visit a cryptocurrency exchange website. 
  2. Sign up for an account and follow the verification procedures. 
  3. Link a payment method and buy cryptocurrency. 

Do I have to pay tax on crypto trades in South Africa?

Cryptocurrency transactions are subject to tax in South Africa. When you sell or dispose of crypto, you may be required to pay capital gains tax or income tax depending on whether your transaction is characterized as a ‘trade’ or an ‘investment’. 

For more information, check out our complete guide to South Africa crypto taxes.

Frequently asked questions

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