Crypto for cross-border payments offers a faster, cheaper alternative to traditional banking by enabling near-instant, peer-to-peer transactions on blockchain networks. With lower fees, 24/7 availability, and growing use of stablecoins, it’s rapidly reshaping global payments for businesses and individuals.

Shop with VALR Pay and earn crypto rewards. Pay at any VALR Pay–enabled retailer using ZAR, USDT, USDC, or supported cryptocurrencies and get 2.5% back in crypto or xStocks, up to R2,500 per month. Rewards are paid to your VALR wallet within 7 days after each monthly promotion period, from a R50,000 monthly reward pool.

Ben Caselin, CMO of VALR, shares insights on the exchange’s partnership with the DHL Stormers and its mission to make crypto accessible to everyday South Africans. Through stadium activations at DHL Stadium, fan giveaways, and bold branding, VALR is connecting rugby supporters with the world of digital assets.

Decentralised Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) use blockchain and token incentives to crowdsource telecom, AI, energy, and cloud infrastructure. With 13M+ daily devices and a projected $3.5T opportunity by 2028 (via the World Economic Forum), DePIN is shifting infrastructure from corporate-owned to community-built.

Inflationary cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin increase supply over time to boost liquidity and network activity. Deflationary assets like Bitcoin limit or reduce supply to create scarcity and support long-term value. Understanding inflationary vs. deflationary crypto helps investors choose between utility and store-of-value potential.

Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) enhance blockchain privacy and scalability by verifying transactions without revealing data. Compare zk-SNARKs, used by Zcash, and zk-STARKs, powering StarkNet, in efficiency, security, and quantum resistance.

From 20 - 24 February 2026, refer friends to VALR and take part in a community-focused rewards campaign. Verified referrals can earn from a $1,250 reward pool, and one randomly selected new referral stands the chance to earn a $250 crypto reward for trading above the required amount.

VALR, Africa’s largest crypto exchange by trade volume, highlighted accelerating crypto adoption at the Africa Tech Summit. With rising inflation and high remittance costs driving demand, Sub-Saharan Africa saw 52% year-over-year crypto growth, according to Chainalysis, positioning the continent as a global leader in real-world digital asset innovation.

Learn how to identify crypto bull runs, track market cycles, and use key indicators to invest smarter in Bitcoin and altcoins.

Permissionless (Bitcoin, Ethereum): Open access, no approval. Decentralized, transparent, pseudonymous, trustless. Powers DeFi, NFTs, crypto. Slower but censorship-resistant.Permissioned (Hyperledger, Corda): Restricted/KYC access. Fast, private, scalable, regulation-friendly. Built for enterprise (supply chain, banking, healthcare). Less decentralized.

A step-by-step guide to send money from South Africa to Tanzania with VALR Pay.

A step-by-step guide to send money from South Africa to Ghana with VALR Pay.

A step-by-step guide to send money from South Africa to Netherlands with VALR Pay.

A step-by-step guide to send money from South Africa to Ethiopia with VALR Pay.

Kenyan crypto fans, big rewards await! VALR’s Kenya KYC & Trade Promotion runs 9–15 Feb 2026. New & existing users: complete KYC Level 2 + $500 trading volume on Simple Buy & Sell to qualify for mystery gifts (Futures fee discounts or crypto airdrops) from $500 pools. 10 randomly selected new users who complete both stand the chance to receive a $25 crypto airdrop!

A step-by-step guide to send money from South Africa to Pakistan with VALR Pay.

Blockchain oracles connect smart contracts to real-world data, enabling DeFi price feeds, insurance payouts, and cross-chain operations. Decentralised oracle networks prevent single points of failure, making on-chain apps more secure and reliable.

Web3 digital identity replaces fragile, centralized logins with self-sovereign IDs using Decentralised Identifiers (DIDs) and Verifiable Credentials (VCs). This user-controlled model boosts privacy, reduces data breaches, and enables secure, passwordless verification across platforms. As digital identity becomes essential worldwide, decentralised identity offers a safer, more inclusive future.

The Cantillon Effect shows how money creation benefits those closest to the source, driving asset inflation while wages lag. Bitcoin’s capped supply and decentralized issuance offer a fairer alternative, while stablecoins provide global access to stronger currencies.

On-chain vs. off-chain transactions define how blockchains balance security, speed, and cost. On-chain data is recorded directly on the blockchain for maximum trust, while off-chain solutions process transactions externally to improve scalability and efficiency.