Connect with us

Market

How Luno is Shaping Africa’s Crypto Future

Published

on



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 ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



Source link

Market

Bitcoin Price Eyes Bullish Continuation—Is $90K Within Reach?

Published

on


Reason to trust

Strict editorial policy that focuses on accuracy, relevance, and impartiality

Created by industry experts and meticulously reviewed

The highest standards in reporting and publishing

Strict editorial policy that focuses on accuracy, relevance, and impartiality

Morbi pretium leo et nisl aliquam mollis. Quisque arcu lorem, ultricies quis pellentesque nec, ullamcorper eu odio.


Este artículo también está disponible en español.

Bitcoin price started a fresh increase above the $83,500 zone. BTC is now consolidating gains and might attempt to clear the $85,500 resistance.

  • Bitcoin started a fresh increase above the $83,500 zone.
  • The price is trading above $83,000 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average.
  • There is a connecting bullish trend line forming with support at $84,200 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).
  • The pair could start another increase if it clears the $85,500 zone.

Bitcoin Price Eyes More Gains

Bitcoin price started a fresh increase above the $82,500 zone. BTC formed a base and gained pace for a move above the $83,000 and $83,500 resistance levels.

The bulls pumped the price above the $84,500 resistance. A high was formed at $85,850 and the price recently started a downside correction. There was a move below the $84,000 support. The price dipped below the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $78,600 swing low to the $85,850 high.

However, the bulls were active near the $83,000 zone and the price recovered losses. Bitcoin price is now trading above $83,500 and the 100 hourly Simple moving average. There is also a connecting bullish trend line forming with support at $84,200 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair.

Bitcoin Price
Source: BTCUSD on TradingView.com

On the upside, immediate resistance is near the $85,000 level. The first key resistance is near the $85,500 level. The next key resistance could be $86,200. A close above the $86,200 resistance might send the price further higher. In the stated case, the price could rise and test the $87,500 resistance level. Any more gains might send the price toward the $88,000 level.

Another Rejection In BTC?

If Bitcoin fails to rise above the $85,500 resistance zone, it could start another decline. Immediate support on the downside is near the $84,200 level and the trend line. The first major support is near the $83,200 level.

The next support is now near the $82,200 zone and the 50% Fib retracement level of the upward move from the $78,600 swing low to the $85,850 high. Any more losses might send the price toward the $81,500 support in the near term. The main support sits at $80,800.

Technical indicators:

Hourly MACD – The MACD is now gaining pace in the bullish zone.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is now above the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $84,200, followed by $83,500.

Major Resistance Levels – $85,500 and $85,850.



Source link

Continue Reading

Market

$7 Million Hack Hits Binance-Backed Project

Published

on



KiloEx, a newly launched perpetual trading platform backed by YZi Labs (formerly Binance Labs), has suffered a cross-chain exploit resulting in the theft of approximately $7 million.

The attack, which began on April 14, is ongoing and has impacted operations across BNB Smart Chain, Base, and Taiko networks.

Hackers Drain $7 Million from KiloEx Using Tornado Cash

Cyvers analysts report that the attacker used a Tornado Cash-funded address to execute a series of coordinated transactions. It exploited potential access control flaws in KiloEx’s price oracle system.

On-chain evidence shows rapid fund movements between multiple chains. This raises concerns over systemic vulnerabilities in multi-chain DeFi architecture.

KiloEx launched its Token Generation Event (TGE) on March 27 in partnership with Binance Wallet and PancakeSwap. It’s currently listed on Binance Alpha. 

“Root cause was a potential price oracle access control vulnerability. The attacker is still actively exploiting the system, and USDC may be subject to blacklisting,” wrote Cyvers.

The project was incubated by YZi Labs, an investment and innovation division previously branded as Binance Labs

The launch attracted significant attention due to its backing and integration with BNB Smart Chain.

Following the attack, KiloEx has suspended its platform and is collaborating with security partners to investigate the breach and track stolen funds. 

The team has announced plans to launch a bounty program to encourage white hat assistance and recover user assets.

The incident has triggered sharp market reactions. The KILO token plummeted by 30%, with its market capitalization dropping from $11 million to $7.5 million within hours of the attack.

Security teams are actively monitoring the attacker’s wallet addresses. The situation remains fluid as remediation efforts continue and the vulnerability is further assessed.

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 ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.





Source link

Continue Reading

Market

MANTRA (OM) Charts Look Worse than LUNA – No Buying Activity

Published

on


Yesterday, MANTRA (OM) suffered a staggering 90% crash, and it’s still spiraling down today. Most notably, OM charts and indicators seem as bad as the 2022 Terra LUNA collapse, if not worse.

OM’s RSI is hovering near extreme oversold levels, and indicators reflect there’s barely any buying activity. When LUNA collapsed, a large number of traders bought the crash for a short-term pump. But, even this seems unlikely for MANTRA, based on current charts. 

OM RSI Reached Levels Below 10

After crashing more than 90% in a matter of hours, some traders may be eyeing MANTRA’s OM token as a potential “buy the crash” opportunity.

However, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) tells a different story—OM’s RSI plummeted from 45 to 4 during the collapse and has only slightly recovered to 10.85.

The RSI is a momentum indicator that measures the speed and magnitude of price changes on a scale from 0 to 100. Typically, values below 30 indicate oversold conditions, while levels above 70 suggest the asset is overbought.

OM RSI.
OM RSI. Source: TradingView.

Despite bouncing from extreme lows, OM’s RSI has hovered around 10.85 for several hours, signaling that very few buyers are stepping in to support the price.

This lack of follow-through buying pressure shows that sentiment remains heavily bearish, and traders are not yet confident enough to accumulate the token—even at these steeply discounted levels.

Recently, talking to BeInCrypto, analysts warned about Mantra’s potential lack of true on-chain value.

OM is potentially setting up for further downside or a prolonged period of stagnation as the market waits for a catalyst or clearer recovery signals.

Mantra DMI Shows Buying Activity Is Almost Non-existent

Mantra’s DMI (Directional Movement Index) chart clearly shows intense bearish momentum. The ADX, which measures the strength of a trend regardless of direction, is currently at 47.23—well above the 25 threshold and showing no signs of weakening.

The -DI, which tracks selling pressure, has decreased from its peak of 85.29 to 69.69, indicating that while the panic sell-off may be slowing, it remains dominant.

Meanwhile, the +DI, which measures buying pressure, has dropped from 3.12 to just 2.42, highlighting a complete lack of bullish response to the collapse.

OM DMI.
OM DMI. Source: TradingView.

This imbalance reveals that although the worst of the immediate selling may be over, virtually no meaningful buying activity is stepping in to support OM’s price.

The fact that +DI remains extremely low suggests traders are still avoiding the token, hesitant to buy even after a massive discount.

As long as this dynamic continues—strong trend strength, high selling pressure, and near-zero buying pressure—OM is likely to stay under severe bearish pressure, with any recovery attempt extremely unlikely unless sentiment shifts dramatically.

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 ConditionsPrivacy Policy, and Disclaimers have been updated.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 coin2049.io