Market
How Luno is Shaping Africa’s Crypto Future

Africa’s crypto narrative is maturing from informal peer-to-peer (P2P) trading to institution-ready infrastructure. BeInCrypto contacted Luno, a crypto exchange headquartered in South Africa that operates across over 40 global markets.
Luno’s general manager for Africa and Europe, Marius Reitz, tells BeInCrypto how the crypto exchange is positioning itself as a regional powerhouse in Africa.
Luno As Africa’s Pragmatic Pioneer
Reitz started by revealing that Luno has outlived the boom-and-bust cycles that have come to define crypto since its establishment in 2013.
Its early focus on regulatory alignment and user-friendly experiences set it apart in an industry often plagued by volatility and regulatory whiplash.
In Africa, 57% of the population remains unbanked. Based on this, Luno’s mission goes beyond trading. The exchange crafts access to a modern financial system many have been locked out of.
“We’re driven by a bold vision to upgrade Africa and the world to a better financial system. After our launch in Kenya in 2024, we’re just getting started,” Reitz told BeInCrypto.
Stablecoin Surge and Real-World Demand
While much of the West obsesses over meme coins and ETF (exchange-traded fund) speculation, Africa’s crypto story is rooted in pragmatism.
In South Africa, stablecoins like Tether’s USDT have now surpassed Bitcoin in trading volume. According to Reitz, this surge is driven by the demand for inflation-resistant, dollar-pegged assets amid local currency devaluation.
Luno, already a major on-ramp for fiat-to-crypto conversions in the region, is adapting fast.
“Over the last 12 months, we’ve seen significant demand for stablecoins on Luno. We now offer low-cost USDT transfers across Ethereum and Tron, with competitive fees and bulk trade options for professionals via our Trade Desk,” Reitz shared.
Additionally, Luno’s retail-oriented Luno Pay app integrates crypto into everyday life. South African users can now spend USDT and USDC at thousands of merchants, earning crypto-back rewards.
Regulation as a Catalyst, Not a Constraint
Unlike many exchanges that shun regulatory scrutiny, Luno embraces it. In South Africa, where crypto assets are now classified as financial products by the FSCA, Luno has secured its operating license and helped shape its framework.
“Crypto bans force the industry underground. We’ve observed that markets with regulatory clarity foster responsible innovation and consumer protection,” he explained.
However, challenges remain. If misaligned with market realities, South Africa’s upcoming classification of crypto assets as foreign or domestic investments could hinder institutional flows.
Meanwhile, the FATF Travel Rule poses technical and operational hurdles due to fragmented provider ecosystems. Still, Luno is prepared.
“As a regulated business, we’ve implemented the Travel Rule in other jurisdictions. We anticipate friction, but we’re ready,” Reitz articulated.
The FATF Travel Rule is set to take effect in May 2025, barely a month away.
Adapting to Fragmented African Realities
Across the continent, crypto adoption is outpacing infrastructure. Nigeria ranked second globally for crypto adoption, but this remains paradoxical as the country restricts naira P2P trading while fast-tracking exchange approvals under its ARIP framework.
For Luno, this means taking a hyper-local approach to compliance, education, and user experience.
“Africa faces significant challenges: regulatory fragmentation, limited banking infrastructure, and crypto-related scams. We address these with educational content, strong KYC/AML, and strong banking partnerships,” Reitz explained.
Mobile money is dominant in countries like Kenya and Nigeria. Luno’s mobile-native design and stablecoin access offer a compelling value proposition for both retail users and remittance providers.
Financial Inclusion, One Partnership at a Time
Beyond individual users, Luno is also becoming a key partner for fintechs and payment firms. Its custody and liquidity services now support cross-border on- and off-ramping for traditional and crypto-native partners.
“We receive inquiries from large multinationals wanting to shift part of their payments to crypto. Our infrastructure allows them to do so securely, compliantly, and efficiently Luno confirmed,” Reitz stated.
This is pivotal for Africa’s $48 billion annual remittance market, where stablecoins offer faster, cheaper alternatives to legacy systems.
What does the next five years look like for African crypto markets? For Luno, it’s a convergence of retail empowerment and institutional maturity.
“We expect crypto to become as ubiquitous as banks—used to save, invest, and transact. Stablecoins will anchor trade settlements, while ETFs and bank-based crypto products will dominate mature markets like South Africa,” the Luno executive told BeInCrypto.
Luno is already laying the groundwork. Its Trade Desk, custody solutions, and upcoming stablecoin expansions suggest an exchange ready to grow from a user-friendly app to an institutional-grade platform.
In a region often overlooked by global players, Luno’s longevity is compelling. While challenges around regulation and infrastructure persist, its blend of compliance, innovation, and education positions it among notable actors in Africa’s crypto arena.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
XRP Price To Hit $45? Here’s What Happens If It Mimics 2017 And 2021 Rallies

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XRP has staged an impressive recovery to reclaim the $2 price level after plunging to a weekly low of $1.657 in a steep midweek correction. The rebound comes at a crucial time for the cryptocurrency, with analysts paying closer attention to historical price behaviors and bullish technical patterns. Among them is EGRAG CRYPTO, a popular XRP analyst on X, who believes that the cryptocurrency could be on the cusp of a monumental surge reminiscent of its previous bull cycles in 2017 and 2021.
The Power Of Time Cycles And Exponential Moving Averages
EGRAG’s technical analysis focuses on a recurring structure seen in XRP’s past cycles, using the 21-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA) and 33-period Moving Average (MA) on the biweekly timeframe. According to his analysis, which was revealed on social media platform X, both the 2017 and 2021 rallies were preceded by similar technical setups: a sustained bottoming process lasting around 770 days followed by a bullish reversal.
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These phases were marked by what he described as “blow-off tops,” where XRP posted parabolic gains after bouncing off the 21 and 33 exponential moving averages. The current market structure, EGRAG noted, aligns closely with those previous cycles. After a prolonged bearish trend and a second recorded “bearish cross” in 2022, XRP has once again moved above both the 21 EMA and 33 MA.

In his view, this sets the stage for a similar breakout scenario, one that could play out before the end of 2025. EGRAG uses this pattern to suggest a timeline of roughly 770 days from the last major crossover in early 2022, placing the projected breakout target around September 29, 2025.
XRP Can Surge To $45
Interestingly, EGRAG’s price prediction based on the premise of how a similar 2017 or 2021 movement can play out for XRP. In 2017, XRP posted a rally of approximately 2,700%, and in 2021, a slightly lower surge of about 1,050%. By mapping those gains onto the current price structure, EGRAG predicted two potential targets: a more conservative $19 level and a bold $45 level. Between these two targets is a mid-range target of $27 which he has previously favored.
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However, the analyst warned that while chart patterns offer insight, they are not perfect predictors. In his own words, “Will it rhyme exactly? No, because if it were that easy, everyone would be a multimillionaire.” Still, the emotional patterns of market participants, human reactions and behaviors, tend to repeat to create opportunities where a previous price action might play out again, even if not 100%.
The analyst ended his analysis with a strategic note to long-term holders and short-term traders alike, consider a Dollar-Sell-Average (DSA) approach when the XRP price starts to climb.
At the time of writing, XRP is trading at $2.04, up by 2.6% in the past 24 hours.
Featured image from Adobe Stock, chart from Tradingview.com
Market
Solana Bulls Lead 17% Recovery, Targeting $138

Solana plunged to a 12-month low of $95.23 on April 7, marking a sharp decline amid broader market turbulence.
However, as the market embarked on a recovery this week, SOL has witnessed a rebound, with its price climbing as demand surges.
SOL Rebounds 17%, Eyes Further Gains
Since SOL began its current rally, its value has soared by 17%. At press time, the altcoin trades at $124.58, resting atop an ascending trend line.

This pattern emerges when the price of an asset consistently makes higher lows over a period of time. It represents an uptrend, indicating that SOL demand is gradually increasing, driving its prices higher. It suggests that the coin buyers are willing to pay more, and it serves as a support level during price corrections.
SOL’s recovery is further supported by its rising Relative Strength Index (RSI), indicating increasing buying interest. This momentum indicator is at 49.58 at press time, poised to break above the 50-neutral line.

The RSI indicator measures an asset’s overbought and oversold market conditions. It ranges between 0 and 100. Values above 70 suggest that the asset is overbought and due for a price decline, while values under 30 indicate that the asset is oversold and may witness a rebound.
At 49.50 and climbing, SOL’s RSI signals a steady shift in momentum from bearish to bullish. A rise above 50 would confirm increasing buying pressure and a potential for a sustained upward price movement.
Solana Bulls Eye $138
SOL’s ascending trend line forms a solid support floor below its price at $120.74. If demand soars and the bullish presence with the SOL spot markets strengthens, the coin could continue its rally and climb to $138.41.

However, if profit-taking commences, the support at $120.74 would be breached, and the SOL’s price could revisit $95.23.
Disclaimer
In line with the Trust Project guidelines, this price analysis article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. BeInCrypto is committed to accurate, unbiased reporting, but market conditions are subject to change without notice. Always conduct your own research and consult with a professional before making any financial decisions. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
Market
Ripple May Settle SEC’s $50 Million Fine Using XRP

Ripple’s long-running legal clash with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) appears to be nearing its final chapter.
However, a surprising detail has emerged from the ongoing settlement talks, which could see Ripple pay its reduced $50 million penalty using its native token, XRP.
Ripple Could Use XRP Token to Pay SEC Fine
On April 11, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse appeared on FOX Business. At the interview, he revealed that the idea of paying the penalty in XRP was floated during settlement discussions.
“The SEC is going to end up with $50 million and the US government gets $50 million and we talked about making that available in XRP,” Garlinghouse stated.
The ongoing negotiations follow Ripple’s and the SEC’s decision to drop their appeals, bringing the multi-year legal battle closer to closure.
“We’re moving past the SEC’s war on crypto and entering the next phase of the market – true institutional flows integrating with decentralized finance,” Garlinghouse added in a post on X.
Judge Analisa Torres originally set the fine at $125 million in 2024, linking it to Ripple’s unregistered XRP sales to institutional investors. Ripple complied by placing the funds in an interest-bearing account, but the appeals process delayed any further action.
With those appeals now abandoned, Ripple is expected to pay a reduced fine of $50 million.
A recent joint court filing confirms that both sides have reached a preliminary agreement. They are now seeking final approval from the SEC’s commissioners.
Once internal reviews are complete, the parties plan to request a formal ruling from the district court.
“There is good cause for the parties’ joint request that this Court put these appeals in abeyance. The parties have reached an agreement-in-principle, subject to Commission approval, to resolve the underlying case, the Commission’s appeal, and Ripple’s cross-appeal. The parties require additional time to obtain Commission approval for this agreement-in-principle, and if approved by the Commission, to seek an indicative ruling from the district court,” the filing stated.
If the commission votes in favor, this case could conclude one of the most closely watched regulatory battles in crypto history. More importantly, the use of XRP for the settlement could mark a significant shift in the SEC’s approach to digital assets.
This turnaround would represent a major regulatory shift and could trigger further bullish momentum for the token.
Since Donald Trump’s election victory in November 2024, investor confidence in XRP has grown sharply, pushing the token’s value up by more than 300%.
At the same time, institutional interest continues to rise, as seen in the wave of spot exchange-traded fund applications tied to the token
Market analysts have linked this performance to the friendlier political climate. They also point to the potential reclassification of XRP as a commodity as a key factor driving the asset’s rise.
Disclaimer
In adherence to the Trust Project guidelines, BeInCrypto is committed to unbiased, transparent reporting. This news article aims to provide accurate, timely information. However, readers are advised to verify facts independently and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content. Please note that our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.
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