VALR

VALR Exchange: A South African Crypto Platform

VALR Exchange, launched in 2018 and headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, is a centralized cryptocurrency platform founded by CEO Farzam Ehsani and co-founders Theo Bohnen, Badi Sudhakaran, and Chris Tsimogiannis. Initially focused on the South African market, it now serves over 1 million users globally, targeting expansion into Europe and beyond as of June 3, 2025.

What Makes It Special

• Trading Variety: Offers over 75–100+ coins and 36–100+ pairs, including BTC/ZAR and ETH/USDT, with spot, margin (up to 5x leverage), and futures trading (up to 10x). 24-hour volume ranges from $221M to $15B, depending on the source, reflecting strong activity.
• Affordable Costs: Fees vary by platform—spot/margin taker fees are 0.05%–0.1%, makers get 0.01% rewards, and instant trades cost 0.75%. Deposits are free (ZAR via bank transfer), but withdrawals incur a $8.50 ZAR fee or network costs.
• Extra Perks: Includes a mobile app (iOS/Android), staking (up to 55% APY on select coins), lending (16.67% on ZAR), a referral program (up to 30% commission), and VALR Pay for free peer-to-peer transfers.
• Global Reach: Licensed in South Africa (FSCA FSP #53308), Poland, Dubai, India, and Zambia, but restricted in the U.S., Canada, and sanctioned countries. KYC is mandatory, with limits up to $50K/day.
• Solid Protection: Uses 90%+ cold storage, 2FA, multi-signature wallets, and segregated fiat accounts, though no specific reserve audit details are public.

Points to Ponder

• Regulatory Status: Holds FSCA licenses (Category I and II) and operates under light oversight in Seychelles, but recent U.S. restrictions and lack of clear audits raise questions.
• User Sentiment: Some value its ZAR support and staking, but posts found on X and reviews mention withdrawal delays and scam concerns—consider this feedback inconclusive.
• Liquidity Notes: Reported volumes ($221M–$15B) vary widely, with a 17.21% fluctuation in 24 hours suggesting possible inflation; smaller pairs may lack depth.
• Security History: Experienced a $4.2M hack in 2019 (users reimbursed), and past withdrawal issues persist despite security upgrades.
• Access Limits: U.S. access paused since April 2023, and limited fiat options (mainly ZAR, some EUR/USD) may restrict non-South African users.

VALR provides a solid option for South African traders with its fiat integration and earning features, but its regulatory gaps and mixed user feedback suggest caution. Visit https://www.valr.com to explore its services.