Despite fluctuating market conditions, Africa’s largest crypto exchange, VALR, has processed over $15 billion in stablecoins annually, retaining its status as South Africa’s dominant provider of dollar-pegged digital assets.
- Despite fluctuating market conditions, Africa’s largest crypto exchange, VALR, has processed over $15 billion in stablecoins annually, retaining its status...
- The exchange now ranks among the top 10 USDC minters worldwide, coming ahead of many larger competitors in Africa.
- Transactions can be processed around the clock, regardless of banking hours, and can be completed quickly on public blockchain networks.
- Beyond transfers, stablecoins are now being used for supplier payments and programmable payroll systems.
Keep reading for the full breakdown on Africa — everything you need to know is covered below.
The exchange now ranks among the top 10 USDC minters worldwide, coming ahead of many larger competitors in Africa.
This volume underscores how stablecoins have moved beyond pure speculation into everyday financial utility across the continent.
“Despite fluctuating market conditions, stablecoins have been on a relentless rise, reshaping global finance in meaningful ways,” the company said in a blog post on Thursday.
How businesses are using stablecoins
The exchange said stablecoins offer advantages that traditional financial systems often struggle to match. Transactions can be processed around the clock, regardless of banking hours, and can be completed quickly on public blockchain networks.
According to data cited by VALR from Artemis Analytics, stablecoin transaction volumes reached $33 trillion in 2025, representing a 72 per cent increase from the previous year. The report noted that the total volume exceeded the combined annual throughput of Visa and Mastercard.
VALR further noted that stablecoins are widely used for cross-border payments, remittances, treasury management, currency hedging, and fund rebalancing. Payment providers and digital banks also rely on assets such as USDC and USDT for continuous settlements and access to dollar liquidity.
Beyond transfers, stablecoins are now being used for supplier payments and programmable payroll systems. Because transactions are recorded on-chain, businesses can also benefit from enhanced transparency and auditability.
The growing adoption of stablecoins has been particularly relevant in regions where cross-border payments remain costly or slow. By enabling near-instant settlement, stablecoins are becoming an alternative for companies operating across multiple markets.
VALR strengthens its position in Africa
Founded in 2018, VALR has expanded its footprint among retail, corporate, and institutional users. The company said it now serves more than 2,000 corporate and institutional clients, including small businesses and firms listed on both the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.
In addition to its exchange services, they have operated an over-the-counter trading desk that facilitates large-volume fiat and cryptocurrency transactions. The company also provides infrastructure services that support crypto and payment products offered by other institutions.
The exchange has a license from South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority and has also secured regulatory approval in Europe. According to the company, these approvals support its efforts to provide compliant and secure access to stablecoin services as adoption continues to accelerate across Africa and global markets.