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In a landmark move for digital payments, Luno has expanded its crypto payment service, enabling South Africans to spend Bitcoin (BTC) and Tether (USDT) at major retail outlets nationwide. Through this innovation, customers can now make everyday purchases at well-known stores including Shoprite, Checkers, Makro, and Vodacom, directly from their Luno app — no cash or cards required.
The expansion of Luno Pay, which now integrates with Scan to Pay, allows crypto payments at nearly 700,000 retail outlets across South Africa. Customers can simply scan a QR code at checkout, select Bitcoin or Tether in the Luno app, and confirm the transaction — a seamless process that brings cryptocurrency payments into mainstream retail.
This advancement was made possible through a partnership with MoneyBadger, a fintech company that enables merchants to accept crypto payments without altering their existing payment infrastructure. This means retailers can start taking digital currencies easily, with no additional hardware or complex system updates.
Since Luno Pay launched in November 2024, it has processed over 48,000 transactions worth more than R28 million across 1,600 stores. Notably, around 70% of users have made repeat payments — a sign that cryptocurrency is moving beyond investment and speculation, becoming part of everyday financial life.
By combining Luno Pay’s 30,000 participating merchants with Scan to Pay’s vast retail network, crypto payments are now available at nearly every major retail point in the country. This marks a significant step toward broader financial inclusion and greater accessibility to digital payments.
To encourage adoption, Luno offers a 10% cashback reward in USDT for users who pay with Tether, adding a tangible incentive for consumers to embrace digital currencies in their daily purchases.
Merchants also benefit from this integration. The system works smoothly within their existing setups, allowing them to accept Bitcoin and Tether effortlessly while converting payments into local currency in real time. This not only reduces friction but also opens new revenue streams by attracting crypto-savvy customers.
Carel van Wyk, CEO of MoneyBadger, described the development as a turning point in how people perceive cryptocurrency:
“We’re shifting Bitcoin from being just an investment to a real-world payment tool people use daily.”
Echoing this sentiment, Christo de Wit, Luno’s Country Manager for South Africa, noted:
“This is a major milestone for the crypto industry in South Africa. Our goal is to make cryptocurrency a practical, rewarding, and accessible payment option for everyone.”
Beyond convenience, the initiative also supports financial inclusion, particularly for individuals without traditional bank accounts. With crypto-enabled payments, more South Africans can shop and pay digitally, expanding access to modern financial tools.
At checkout, the process remains simple: scan, select Bitcoin or Tether, and pay. Merchants receive instant settlements and can quickly convert digital funds into rand. This ease of use is helping Luno Pay become South Africa’s leading crypto payment network, bridging the gap between digital assets and real-world commerce.
Luno’s integration with MoneyBadger and Scan to Pay represents more than a technical upgrade — it’s a transformative leap toward mainstream crypto adoption. By making digital payments practical, fast, and rewarding, Luno is paving the way for a future where spending cryptocurrency in everyday life becomes the norm for South Africans.
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