VALR Blog
Stablecoins: Topic of the Day
Stablecoins are pegged digital assets (mostly to USD) offering blockchain speed without volatility. With ~$300B in circulation and $33T transacted in 2025, they power 24/7 global payments, remittances, trading & treasury.
How Do People in Emerging Markets Save Money?
Emerging markets show rapid progress in saving: 40% of adults now use formal accounts (up 16% since 2021), with mobile money nearly doubling. Yet informal ROSCAs, stokvels, and community groups remain vital, while fintech, stablecoins, and crypto offer new inflation hedges and remittance tools. Discover how households blend old and new methods for greater financial resilience.
Africa's Ascending Economies: The Growth Engines Driving Progress in 2026
Sub-Saharan Africa recorded 4.5% GDP growth in 2025 and is projected to expand 4.3% in 2026. Ethiopia (9.2%), Rwanda (7.2%), Uganda (7.5%), Côte d’Ivoire (6.2%), and Kenya (4.5%) are leading the surge through reforms, infrastructure, diversification, and the AfCFTA. Discover the key drivers, risks, and opportunities shaping Africa’s rising stars.
The Engines of Africa’s Prosperity: Key Drivers of Wealth Creation
Africa now has 122,500 millionaires, led by South Africa with 41,100. Johannesburg tops cities with 11,700. The Africa Wealth Report 2025 forecasts a 65% rise in millionaires over the next decade, driven by resources, fintech, green tech & eco-tourism.
Why Is It So Difficult to Move Money Around Africa?
Moving money across African borders remains costly (avg. 8.4% vs global 6.2%) and slow due to fragmented regulations, 40+ currencies, and infrastructure gaps. Discover how PAPSS, stablecoins, and fintech are slashing fees by up to 90% and speeding up payments.
AI Agents and Crypto: The New Financial System
The global financial system is evolving rapidly. Bitcoin and stablecoins are powering a borderless, digital economy where humans, AI agents, and IoT devices transact seamlessly. VALR, Africa’s leading digital asset platform, makes it simple: trade crypto, stake, lend, borrow, and spend with VALR Pay. Now with AI-powered insights for humans and full API access for autonomous AI agents.
Is Bitcoin's 4-Year Cycle Still Calling the Shots?
Two years after the April 2024 Bitcoin halving, with BTC trading near $76,000 in May 2026, months after the $126K all-time high, many ask: does the classic four-year cycle still drive price action? Institutional inflows, corporate treasuries, ETFs, and macro forces are transforming the once-predictable pattern of post-halving rallies and bear markets.
VALR Secures Provisional VASP License in the Cayman Islands, Accelerating Global Expansion
Africa’s leading digital asset platform VALR has received provisional approval from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) to operate as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP).The license enables fiat-to-crypto trading, custody, and cross-border transfers, strengthening its global expansion alongside South African FSCA licenses.
The Evolution of Payments: From Barter to Interplanetary Systems
Imagine leaving a store without paying at the till — your purchase handled automatically by AI. From 6000 BC barter to Bitcoin, QR codes, stablecoins, and checkout-free shopping, payments have evolved for greater speed and security. Now heading into space: blockchain enables seamless transactions between satellites and future Mars colonies. The future of money is frictionless and multi-planetary.
How Much is 10 XRP in Rands (ZAR)?
Wondering how much 10 XRP will cost you? Our up-to-date exchange rate and guide will show you how to buy XRP with South African rands.
How Much is 10 Bitcoin in Rands (ZAR)?
Wondering how much 10 Bitcoin will cost you? Our up-to-date exchange rate and guide will show you how to buy BTC with South African rands.
Blockchain and the Internet of Things: Current Intersections and Emerging Opportunities
Tens of billions of sensors already track vaccines, vehicles, air quality, and farms. The missing piece? Tamper-proof data that every party can trust without a central middleman. Discover how blockchain makes IoT verifiable, efficient, and truly decentralized.
VALR, Africa’s Leading Digital Asset Infrastructure Provider, Eyes Kenya for Expansion
Johannesburg, 18 May 2026 – VALR, was a Diamond Sponsor of the Kenya Blockchain & Crypto Conference. Country Manager Peter Mwangi highlighted Kenya’s rise as a digital asset hub, linking it to mobile money success.With the new VASP Act and 2026 Regulations in place, VALR is driving partnerships with its stablecoin expertise and institutional solutions.
Bitcoin Mining: Capturing Surplus and Stranded Energy to Secure the Bitcoin Network
What if flared gas, untapped river hydropower, and volcanic geothermal energy could power the world’s largest decentralised financial network?Bitcoin mining is making this reality. Instead of wasting surplus and stranded energy, miners are converting it into reliable power for the Bitcoin network.
How Agentic AI is Quietly Transforming Financial Services
AI scans thousands of transactions in seconds, spots hidden fraud, plans responses, checks regulations, executes actions, and learns all within strict human boundaries. This is agentic AI, shifting finance to supervised autonomy.
Best Time to Trade Crypto on Weekends
Discover the best times to trade crypto on weekends. Learn how market overlaps impact liquidity, volatility, and spreads, and time your trades for maximum impact.
When is the Best Time to Trade Crypto in South Africa
Learn how market overlaps impact liquidity, volatility, and spreads, and time your crypto trades in South Africa for maximum impact.
VALR Bundle Month: The BITGOLD & VALR10 Promotion
Join VALR’s exciting new Buy & Hold campaign for VALR10 and BITGOLD bundles. Enjoy weekly airdrops and share in tiered prize pools (up to R250 per week) with a massive R10,000 grand prize. Start buying and holding from 13 May 2026 to qualify — all rewards paid in BITGOLD and VALR10. Don’t miss out!
Michael Saylor and Strategy Inc’s STRC: The Variable Rate Perpetual Preferred Stock Explained
Michael Saylor launched STRC at Bitcoin 2026 — Strategy Inc’s Variable Rate Perpetual Preferred Stock. Since July 2025, the Nasdaq-listed shares have raised $8.5 billion, paying an 11.50% variable monthly dividend while funding more Bitcoin purchases for the company’s 818k BTC treasury.
Self-Custody in the Digital Age: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Matters
Self-custody gives you full control of crypto assets by managing your own private keys. Ditch third-party risks, embrace true ownership, and follow Bitcoin’s “not your keys, not your coins” principle with secure wallet setup and best practices.