A Message from Our CEO Farzam Ehsani: Celebrating 6 Years of Growth and Service at VALR

Mar 20

Dear all,

Today is VALR’s 6th birthday! What a journey it has been.

Six years ago, we set out on an ambitious path to redefine what a financial system could look like, grounded in the belief that the oneness of humanity should be mirrored in our economic structures. This mission followed a radical shift in my own perspective: A decade ago, as a banker, I viewed Bitcoin with tremendous skepticism, dismissing it as a passing fad and even a scam. Yet, here we are today, with Bitcoin’s market cap over $1 trillion, and VALR standing as the largest crypto exchange on the African continent by annual trade volume, serving over half a million users and over 1,000 institutional clients worldwide. This is both exhilarating and humbling.

The journey to this point has not been without its challenges. The crypto markets and industry have been tumultuous, seeing the rise and fall of prices and people alike. There have been bankruptcies, prosecutions, significant losses and pain.

Despite these hurdles, VALR has not only remained unscathed, but has come out thriving, achieving our strongest year yet, with record-breaking trading volumes. This resilience stems from a steadfast commitment to integrity. It is this quality that has guided us through the storm and will continue to be our compass going forward.

In a world that feels increasingly divided, polarised, and fraught with injustice, the need for a unified and equitable financial system has never been clearer. We believe that the fabric of society should reflect the inherent unity of its people, a perspective that guides our operations and aspirations. At VALR, we pride ourselves on our principles. Unity, service, and truth are not just values that we embrace, but are the foundation upon which we build our relationship with you, our customer.

Looking ahead, the future is bright. We are already expanding our reach into different countries across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, building new products and services, establishing new partnerships, and placing VALR on the world map. This is not just about growth for the sake of expansion, but a deliberate effort to bring our vision of a more inclusive and equitable financial system to every corner of the world. To this purpose, over the next few days and weeks, we will be making public announcements that I hope will inspire you to grow with us, as much as we are inspired to champion a better financial system for all.

As we celebrate this anniversary, I want to express my deep gratitude to each and every one of you. We would simply not be here today without your trust and support. Thank you.

With much appreciation,

Farzam Ehsani

Co-Founder and CEO, VALR