How to buy Bitcoin (BTC) in South Africa
Create an account, add rand, and buy Bitcoin at the live rate.
Luno's been building crypto infrastructure since 2013, the same year Bitcoin first became a mainstream conversation in South Africa. Buying your first Bitcoin here means a regulated platform, a live rand price you can trust, and a buying flow built to get you from sign-up to owning crypto in minutes, not hours.
BTC/ZAR market stats
What you'll learn about Bitcoin
Where and how to buy Bitcoin, with clear, step-by-step instructions.
The live Bitcoin price in rand, plus key stats: market cap, volume, and all-time high.
Where to go next if you're also curious about Ethereum or XRP, Luno's other most-traded assets.
Buying Bitcoin on Luno
1.
Create your account
Sign up with your email and verify your identity, a standard check for every regulated exchange.
2.
Add
rand
to your wallet
Deposit for free by EFT, or use an instant payment method if you'd rather not wait.
3.
Select Buy, then
Bitcoin
Open the Buy screen and choose Bitcoin from Luno's list of supported crypto assets.
4.
Enter an amount
Type in a rand amount or a BTC amount, whichever's easier, the app converts it either way.
5.
Choose how to pay
Use the rand balance in your wallet, or pay directly with a linked card.
6.
Review, then confirm
Check the live rate and the exact transaction cost, once-off or as a repeat buy, then swipe to buy.
Why invest with Luno?
Proof of reserves
Verified monthly by Moore, on a 1:1 basis.
Since 2013
More than a decade building in crypto.
Trusted by millions
Millions of customers, globally.
Institutional-grade security
Cold storage via BitGo and Fireblocks, ISO 27001-certified.
FSCA licensed
Luno (Pty) Ltd is an authorised financial services provider (FSP No. 53314).
Exchange of the year
MyBroadband, 2025
Explore more ways to buy crypto
Learn how to buy Ethereum
The same step-by-step buying guide, plus the live ETH to rand rate.
Learn how to buy XRP
The same step-by-step buying guide, plus the live XRP to rand rate.
How to Buy BTC in South Africa: FAQs
Is it legal to buy Bitcoin in South Africa?
Yes. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) regulates crypto asset service providers in South Africa, and buying, holding, and selling Bitcoin is legal for South African residents.
Is my Bitcoin safe with Luno?
Yes. All crypto held with Luno is verified monthly on a 1:1 basis by independent auditors, and stored in cold storage via BitGo and Fireblocks, both ISO 27001-certified.
Do I need to buy a whole Bitcoin?
No. You can buy or convert any amount of Bitcoin, down to a small fraction, so you can start with whatever amount suits you.
What is the minimum amount of Bitcoin I can buy?
You can instantly buy or sell between BTC 0.000025 and BTC 3.00 per transaction from your Portfolio. You can buy or convert any amount within that range, down to a small fraction, so you can start with whatever amount suits you.
How much is 1 Bitcoin in rand?
The Bitcoin price in rand changes all the time, because it trades 24 hours a day and moves with global supply and demand. To see what one Bitcoin is worth right now, check the live Bitcoin to rand rate, or use the calculator above to work out any amount, in either rand or BTC.
Can I buy Bitcoin with a debit or credit card?
Yes. You can buy Bitcoin instantly with a debit or credit card without depositing rand first. This costs 3.9%, with a minimum of R15 and a maximum of R30,000 per transaction.
How do I deposit rand to buy Bitcoin?
Bank transfer (EFT) is free with no limit. Instant deposit costs 1.4%, up to R100,000. Absa Pay costs 1.4%, Capitec Pay costs 1.25% under R1,000 or a flat R9 above that, and Apple Pay costs 2.5%, between R50 and R30,000.
What fees does Luno charge to buy Bitcoin?
Depositing rand by bank transfer (EFT) is free. Buying Bitcoin instantly from your rand balance costs 2%. Buying instantly with a card, without depositing first, costs 3.9%, with a minimum of R15 and a maximum of R30,000 per transaction. Exact fees are always shown before you confirm.
How long does it take to buy Bitcoin on Luno?
Buying Bitcoin with a rand balance already in your wallet happens instantly at the live rate. If you need to deposit first, bank transfer (EFT) can take up to 2 business days to reflect, near-instant if you bank with Standard Bank, while instant deposit methods like Stitch typically reflect within about 5 minutes.
Can I sell my Bitcoin back for rand?
Yes. You can sell Bitcoin for rand at the live rate any time, then withdraw to your bank account whenever you're ready.
Do I pay tax on Bitcoin profits in South Africa?
SARS treats crypto assets as taxable, and profits from buying and selling Bitcoin may be subject to income tax or capital gains tax depending on your circumstances. This isn't tax advice, so speak to SARS or a registered tax practitioner about your specific situation.