Johannesburg, South Africa, February 16th, 2026, Chainwire
VALR Leads the Charge in Africa’s Crypto Revolution
VALR, recognized as Africa’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has solidified its influence by acting as a Gold Sponsor at the recent Africa Tech Summit held in Nairobi on February 11-12, 2026. This event emphasized the continent’s emerging position as an epicenter for crypto innovation and adoption.
The Financial Landscape in Africa
Africa’s financial framework remains intricate, characterized by 54 nations and a multitude of national currencies. High barriers exist for cross-border payments, often incurring costs that average between 7-8% for remittances, as per sources like the World Bank and reports from the previous year. Additionally, the traditional payment systems are plagued by delays that can last days. The inflation rate in the continent averaged over 13% in 2025, based on the African Development Bank’s reports. These challenges limit access to more stable foreign currencies like the US dollar, prompting people to explore alternatives for value preservation and efficient transactions.
Rapidly Growing Crypto Adoption
The response to these financial challenges has been a significant uptick in cryptocurrency adoption throughout Africa. Reports indicate that Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a remarkable 52% year-over-year growth in crypto activities by mid-2025. Stablecoins such as USDT and USDC are increasingly utilized in transactional volumes, guiding practical applications including hedging against inflation, remittances, and payments.
Leading Countries in Crypto Adoption
Prominent nations such as Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Ghana rank highly on the global scale for crypto adoption, according to Chainalysis data. Nigeria stands at the forefront of Sub-Saharan Africa with over $92 billion in transaction value recorded within the 12 months leading to mid-2025, followed closely by South Africa. Despite Africa accounting for only about 3% of global trade volumes, these markets are demonstrating exemplary leadership in applying cryptocurrency solutions to address real-world challenges related to accessibility, participation, and capital flows.
VALR’s Expansion and Vision
Over the last two years, VALR has witnessed exponential growth, affirming its status as Africa’s preeminent crypto exchange. It boasts the deepest ZAR-denominated crypto markets globally and is among the largest minters of USDC on an international level. VALR, licensed by South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and having regulatory approval in Europe, services over 1.7 million registered users along with 1,800 corporate and institutional clients.
Insights from Leadership
Co-Founder and CEO Farzam Ehsani addressed attendees during a keynote speech on the VALR Stage. He highlighted the necessity for the global financial system to embody the intrinsic unity of humanity, asserting that cryptocurrency stands poised to play a pivotal role. Reflecting on the summit, Ehsani stated: “The Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi reinforced a clear message: Africa is not merely adopting crypto but leading its practical application to solve pressing financial needs. We are optimistic about the continent’s future and the role of unified, inclusive finance globally. VALR remains committed to building infrastructure that bridges divides and advances this shared vision.”
Additionally, VALR’s Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer Badi Sudhakaran engaged in a panel discussion on cryptocurrency adoption in Africa. He underscored that the drive for adoption stems from necessity, positioning the continent as a nucleus of innovation and practical application.
About VALR
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Johannesburg, VALR is backed by distinguished investors including Pantera Capital, Coinbase Ventures, and Fidelity’s F-Prime Capital. The global crypto exchange provides a comprehensive suite of services—including Spot Trading, Margin Trading, Perpetual Futures, Staking, Lending, Borrowing, OTC services, and VALR Pay. Licensed by South Africa’s FSCA and holding regulatory approvals in Europe, VALR caters to over 1.7 million registered users and 1,800 corporate and institutional clients globally. The exchange is committed to fostering a just financial future that upholds human dignity and communal unity. For further information, visit valr.com.
Contact
VALR
press@valr.com
