Binance is driving cryptocurrency adoption in South Africa by partnering with Zapper, enabling everyday crypto payments at 31,000 merchants, from fast food outlets to airlines.
Binance strengthens crypto footprint in South Africa
Global cryptocurrency exchange Binance has intensified its push into South Africa by allowing consumers to use digital currencies for everyday purchases. The company announced a major partnership with local payments provider Zapper, opening the door for crypto payments at more than 31,000 merchants across the country.
Founded in China, Binance is one of the world’s largest digital asset trading platforms, offering services in bitcoin, ethereum and numerous other cryptocurrencies. The move is being positioned as a step towards making crypto a practical payment method for mainstream consumers.
“Whether you’re grabbing a KFC, booking FlySafair flights, shopping at Dis-Chem, or ordering online from Yuppiechef, crypto payments have officially gone mainstream — giving South Africans more ways to pay,” the company said.
Growing adoption of digital payments
The partnership with Zapper marks another milestone in the growing trend of crypto adoption in South Africa. Earlier this year, local exchange Luno revealed that more than R20m had been spent through its retail payments platform Luno Pay since its launch in November.
Luno’s service, processed by firms such as MoneyBadger, Zapper, Stitch and FiveWest, demonstrates the appetite for alternative payment systems. Binance appears to be following a similar path, with Binance Pay already accepted at retailers including Pick n Pay and Bootlegger.
Like its competitor, Binance is relying on MoneyBadger to facilitate seamless merchant settlements in rand. “This partnership allows merchants to accept cryptocurrency seamlessly, with settlements in rand, helping consumers and businesses participate in the growing digital payments ecosystem,” the company said.
Expanding partnerships and services
In July, Binance Pay broadened its reach into e-commerce by joining forces with payment processors such as Peach Payments, giving shoppers the option to use cryptocurrency across a wider range of online platforms.
“Binance Pay is about giving South Africans freedom and flexibility in how they spend their money,” Binance SA representative Yande Nomvete said. “Through our partnership with Zapper tens of thousands of merchants are now available to users, and the cashback promotion encourages first-time crypto payments.”
Zapper CEO Mike Bryer added: “Our collaboration with Binance Pay enhances the payment options available to our extensive merchant network, facilitating seamless and secure transactions for both consumers and businesses.”
Surge in user growth and global reach
Binance has reported a sharp rise in South African sign-ups in recent weeks, alongside a rapid increase in transactions. “The expansion reflects a broader trend of crypto adoption in the country, where consumers are exploring digital currencies as part of everyday payments,” the company said.
Globally, Binance Pay now boasts more than 63,000 merchants and has processed over 300 million transactions.
Despite regulatory scrutiny in several countries over issues of compliance and investor protection, Binance continues to adapt, introducing localised platforms and strengthening its compliance measures.
As digital payments become more deeply embedded in daily life, Binance’s latest move signals that cryptocurrencies are no longer confined to speculative trading but are gaining ground as a mainstream financial tool in South Africa.
