[PRESS RELEASE – Johannesburg, South Africa, December 23rd, 2025]

South Africa has been a leader in fostering crypto innovation, establishing one of the best regulatory environments globally. Since April 2024, over 300 crypto asset service providers have gained licenses. Among these, VALR was one of the pioneers and has recently secured an Over-the-Counter Derivatives Provider (ODP) license from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA).

This license allows VALR to offer various over-the-counter derivatives, such as Contracts for Difference (CFDs), Futures Contracts, Options, Forwards, and Swaps with cryptocurrencies as the underlying assets. This development marks a significant milestone for financial services in South Africa.

In 2025, VALR successfully expanded its user base to over 1.7 million registered users, including hundreds of thousands of active users monthly. The platform now lists over 100 cryptocurrencies available for trading, with USDT/ZAR, BTC/ZAR, and XRP/ZAR as the most frequented trading pairs.

Over the past seven years, VALR has evolved from merely providing exchange services to offering a wide range of financial services, benefiting both individuals and institutions interested in integrating with cryptocurrencies. Customers can now use the VALR app for transactions in over 31,000 stores and at 700,000 locations across South Africa, facilitated by integrations with Zapper, Scan-to-Pay, and Peach Payments.

This year, VALR also rewarded its users with over $1 million through staking, lending, airdrops, promotions, and trading competitions.

Farzam Ehsani, VALR’s Co-Founder and CEO, stated: “We’ve developed an all-encompassing platform designed for both individuals and institutions. Our app and website are user-friendly enough for novices, while our API remains highly sophisticated for corporate clients.”
Translation: “We’ve worked to build a comprehensive platform that serves everyone – individuals and institutions alike. We’ve made our app and website simple enough for our grandparents to use, while making our API one of the most sophisticated in the market to allow corporate clients and institutions to plug into our liquidity, pricing, custody, and much more.”

Bridging Crypto and Traditional Finance Through RWAs

2025 saw significant growth in the integration of real-world assets (RWAs) into crypto markets. These tokens, issued on the blockchain, represent physical assets like gold, stocks, or real estate and enhance access to previously inaccessible markets.

In July, VALR debuted the Garrington Capital USD Private Credit Token (USDPC), Africa’s first tokenized asset of its kind, granting retail investors access to the North American high-yield private credit market. By September, VALR introduced xStocks, allowing users to easily invest in U.S. stocks and index funds.

Badi Sudhakaran, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer, remarked: “Our innovations aim to serve the needs of customers at all levels, ensuring that financial tools are accessible for everyone.” Translation: “Our innovations aim to serve the needs of customers at all levels, making finance fair and financial instruments accessible so everyone can confidently take control of their financial freedom and independence.”

Institutional Adoption and Community Engagement

The institutional presence in the crypto sector has notably increased in 2025, especially in the U.S. Major asset managers, including BlackRock and Vanguard, have entered the arena, following Michael Saylor’s lead in corporate Bitcoin adoption.

VALR has partnered with several leading institutions in Africa, enhancing the crypto infrastructure that allows partners to create crypto offerings for their clients. VALR’s collaboration with Mukuru improved access to USD stablecoins in Africa, and the exchange now aids South Africa’s top banks in developing crypto asset services.

In an effort to raise awareness about crypto’s potential to transform lives, VALR entered into a multi-year sponsorship deal with the DHL Stormers rugby team, displaying its logo on jerseys and at their stadium. Additionally, VALR promoted awareness with a helicopter campaign displaying the message “Crypto For Everyone.”

As Farzam Ehsani expressed: “We’re dedicated to a world where finance unites us, turning opportunity into a right for all. Heading into 2026, we embrace the possibilities that lie ahead, not only for VALR and our users but for the broader crypto community, the continent, and beyond.” Translation: “We’re dedicated to a world where finance unites us, turning opportunity into a right for all. Heading into 2026, we look with optimism at the opportunities before us, not just for VALR and our users, and not just for the crypto industry, but for the nation, the continent, and the world.”

About VALR

Founded in 2018 and based in Johannesburg, VALR is backed by prominent investors including Pantera Capital and Fidelity’s F-Prime Capital. VALR is a global cryptocurrency exchange that offers a comprehensive range of products—Spot Trading, Spot Margin, Perpetual Futures, Staking, Lending, Borrowing, OTC services, and more. Licensed by South Africa’s FSCA and authorized in Europe, VALR serves over 1.7 million users and 1,800 corporate clients worldwide, committed to enhancing a just financial future that upholds human dignity and the unity of mankind. For further details, visit valr.com.