Are you interested in buying Bitcoin in South Africa, but unsure where to start? You’re not alone. As the popularity of Bitcoin continues to grow, many South Africans are looking to purchase Bitcoin. Whether you’re a seasoned Bitcoin user or just starting out, we’ll show you where to buy Bitcoin in South Africa safely and securely.
What You Need to Buy Bitcoin in South Africa
Before you can buy Bitcoin in South Africa, you need the following:
- A Bitcoin exchange. A Bitcoin exchange is a platform that allows its users to buy and sell Bitcoin. It is a Bitcoin marketplace (or a Bitcoin “shop”). A Bitcoin exchange can be a local one or a global one with multi-currency support.
- Payment method. Your payment method will depend on the Bitcoin exchange’s supported payment methods. It can be mobile money such as MTN Mobile Money, debit card, credit card, bank transfer, or money transfer services.
- Bitcoin wallet. Bitcoins are not physical currencies. Therefore, you need a secure wallet to store your Bitcoins. Bitcoin wallets in South Africa are of different types: mobile wallet, web wallets, desktop wallets, and hardware wallets. Some of the best Bitcoin wallets in South Africa include software wallets such as Muun, Aqua, and BlueWallet or a hardware wallet such as Trezor, Blockstream Jade and BitBox.
Dig deeper: List of Best Bitcoin Only Wallets
Is Bitcoin Legal in South Africa?
Bitcoin regulation in South Africa is under the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). SARB does not treat Bitcoin and other digital currencies as currency but as crypto assets. Note that South African regulators have warned that transferring Bitcoin bought from the local exchange into another country is now considered a criminal offense. Banks in South Africa may also block you from using your debit/credit cards to purchase Bitcoin from international exchanges.
Tax on Bitcoin in South Africa: The South African Revenue Service (SARS) views tax on Bitcoin the same as income or capital gains. The tax authority has shown keen interest in taxing Bitcoin owners. According to Business Insider, some South African taxpayers have receiving audit letters asking for information about their Bitcoin holdings. Furthermore, SARS has included questions about Bitcoin investments in the latest tax returns, with codes for Bitcoin trading profits (2572) and losses (2573).
Best Bitcoin Exchanges in South Africa
There are many exchanges in South Africa where you can buy Bitcoin. These are some of the best Bitcoin exchanges in South Africa.
If you’re a privacy-conscious Bitcoin user, you can use non-KYC exchanges such as Bisq, Bisq 2, AgoraDesk, and Robosats. However, some of these non-KYC exchanges lack high liquidity compared to major exchanges that require KYC verification.
Luno South Africa
Luno is one of the oldest local Bitcoin exchanges in South Africa. Notably, the exchange supports recurring buys. You can buy Bitcoin on Luno exchange via the “Instant Buy” function on the Luno app or on Luno Exchange. After signing up and verifying with Luno, you can easily buy Bitcoin in three ways: using your debit card, transferring from your bank into your Luno wallet.
If you’re a customer of ABSA, Standard Bank, Capitec, FNB, or Nedbank, you can simplify the process by searching for ‘Luno’ under ‘Public Beneficiaries’ rather than manually entering Luno bank details
Dig deeper: A Comprehensive Review of Luno Exchange
VALR
VALR is a South African Bitcoin exchange that allows users to purchase Bitcoin using South African Rands (ZAR). Transactions can be completed through a South African bank account or credit/debit card, with only 3D Secure-enabled cards being accepted. A 24-hour card limit of 10,000 ZAR applies.
VALR offers two methods for buying Bitcoin: the Simple Buy/Sell service, designed for beginners, and the Pro Trading feature, ideal for advanced traders. Pro Trading enables advanced users to set custom order parameters, such as order type (Limit, Market, Stop-Limit), Limit price, and time in force.
Noones
Noones is a peer-to-peer exchange that has recently launched in the South African market, facilitating direct connections between Bitcoin buyers and sellers. The platform supports a range of convenient payment methods, including FNB e-wallet, cash deposits to banks, and bank transfer.
Dig deeper: A Comprehensive Review of Noones
Peach Bitcoin
Peach Bitcoin is a global non-KYC exchange for buying and selling Bitcoin, including in South Africa. Available on the App Store and Play Store, it supports various payment methods like bank transfers, mobile wallets, and cash. As a peer-to-peer exchange, transactions are conducted directly between users. There is no need for a passport photo or a driving license in order to buy or sell bitcoin on the exchange. Find out more from our review of Peach Bitcoin.
Yellow Card South Africa
Yellow Card is a Bitcoin exchange that allows anyone to buy Bitcoin in South Africa. The exchange also offers high net worth individuals and institutions the ability to trade through an Over-The-Counter (OTC) desk. Supported methods for making payments are bank transfer, bank deposit, and fiat deposit via Prepaid 24.
Dig deeper: A Comprehensive Review of Yellow Card
Coinbase South Africa
Coinbase is one of the largest and most well-established Bitcoin exchanges globally. The platform offers various payment methods, including debit cards, credit cards, wire transfers, bank account transfers, and deposits via PayPal.
However, it’s essential to note that Coinbase fees are relatively higher compared to many other exchanges. For high-volume traders, using Coinbase Pro can be a more cost-effective option, as they pay lower fees. Additionally, experienced users can utilize Coinbase Pro’s advanced trading features.
Coinbase also provides a Bitcoin payment gateway, Coinbase Commerce, which enables online merchants to accept Bitcoin payments in South Africa. This feature makes it easier for businesses to integrate cryptocurrency payments into their operations.
Dig deeper: A Comprehensive Review of Coinbase
Paxful South Africa
Paxful is a peer-to-peer Bitcoin exchange that connects buyers and sellers from all over the world. With Paxful, South Africans can purchase Bitcoin using a variety of payment methods, making it accessible to a wide range of individuals.
One of the standout features of Paxful in South Africa is its support for mobile money payments, which means that users can buy Bitcoin using MTN Mobile Money, a popular mobile payment service in the country. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who do not have access to traditional banking services or prefer the convenience of mobile payments.
In addition to mobile money, Paxful also supports cash deposits, PayPal, bank transfers. Furthermore, Paxful supports FNB e-wallet, a digital wallet service offered by First National Bank, one of South Africa’s largest banks. Money transfer services like Western Union are also accepted, allowing you to send funds to sellers in exchange for Bitcoin.
Dig deeper: A Comprehensive Review of Paxful
EasyCrypto
Easy Crypto is a non custodial Bitcoin exchange, meaning your Bitcoin private keys are never stored by them. This reduces the risk of hacking and theft, giving you full control over your Bitcoin.
The exchange supports a range of payment methods, including EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) from major South African banks, Instant EFT, and credit/debit card.
Easy Crypto’s fees are relatively competitive compared to other Bitcoin exchanges in South Africa, with deposit fees ranging from 0% to 2% depending on the payment method, trading fees ranging from 0.5% to 1% depending on the transaction volume, and withdrawal fees ranging from R30 to R50 (approximately $2 to $3 USD) depending on the withdrawal method.
CoinCorner South Africa
CoinCorner is a Bitcoin-only exchange platform available in many countries around the world, including South Africa. To buy Bitcoin, you need to deposit funds into your CoinCorner account via a debit card, credit card, bank transfer, or Neteller. CoinCorner also supports the Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) method. This is an auto-buy feature, which allows you to set up a standing order and choose how often you want to buy Bitcoin to reduce the impact of volatility on the overall purchase.
Dig deeper: A Comprehensive Review of CoinCorner
Azteco
Azteco offers a unique method for acquiring bitcoin through vouchers, which function similarly to digital gift cards or mobile phone top-up vouchers. Once purchased, it only takes a minute to redeem these vouchers to your bitcoin wallet. You can buy Azteco vouchers online or at a local store. Additionally, you have the option to select between lightning vouchers and on-chain vouchers.
To redeem your Azteco voucher, simply scan the QR code or enter the 16-digit voucher code on azte.co/redeem. You don’t need to create an Azteco account, and you can utilize your existing bitcoin wallet app. Following redemption, Azteco directly sends the bitcoin to your wallet. Importantly, Azteco is not an exchange and does not have access to your bitcoin holdings.
How to Buy Bitcoin at an ATM in South Africa
You can also buy Bitcoin at Bitcoin ATMs in South Africa. A Bitcoin ATM (also known as a BTM) is a physical machine that allows you to buy or sell Bitcoin using cash or debit/credit cards. Bitcoin ATMs are similar to traditional bank ATMs, but instead of dispensing cash, they dispense Bitcoin. There are 13 Bitcoin ATMs in South Africa. Additionally, Bitcoin ATMs in South Africa allow you to convert Bitcoin into Rand.
How to Use Bitcoin ATMs in South Africa
To get started, you’ll need to find a Bitcoin ATM near your location. You can do this by visiting online directories like Coin ATM Radar, which allow you to filter results by location and provide information on nearby ATMs, including their addresses and limits. Before heading to the ATM, make sure you have a Bitcoin wallet set up – if you don’t have one, you can explore our review of best Bitcoin-only wallets.
When you arrive at the ATM, select your preferred language and follow the on-screen instructions, choosing the “Buy Bitcoin” option. Enter the amount of South African Rand (ZAR) you want to spend, and then scan the QR code of your Bitcoin wallet using the ATM’s scanner. Insert the cash into the ATM according to the amount you specified, and wait for the transaction to process – this may take a few minutes. Once the transaction is complete, you’ll receive a confirmation on the ATM’s screen and a notification on your phone (if you have a wallet app).
It’s essential to be aware of the fees associated with using a Bitcoin ATM, which can range from 5% to 15% of the transaction amount, depending on the ATM operator and location. Additionally, there may be daily or weekly limits on the amount you can buy, typically ranging from R1,000 to R10,000.
Final Thoughts on How to Buy Bitcoin in South Africa
In conclusion, buying Bitcoin in South Africa is possible, but it’s crucial to research the varying exchange platforms wisely. With multiple payment methods available, including PayPal, bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and mobile money, you have the flexibility to choose the most convenient route.
However, it’s essential to scrutinize the fees and transaction limits of each exchange to ensure a frictionless transactions and cost-effective experience.
