VALR Reflects on a Transformative 2025 for Crypto and Finance

One of the most frequent questions South African investors ask is: Is VALR FSCA approved? The answer is a definitive yes, and in 2025, that approval went even deeper than before. While the platform was among the first to receive a standard crypto asset service provider license in 2024, it recently achieved a major milestone by obtaining an Over-the-Counter Derivatives Provider (ODP) license from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). This is a significant badge of trust that sets a high bar for security and compliance.

This ODP license is a game-changer because it allows the platform to offer complex financial products that were previously difficult to access in a regulated environment. Investors can now trade Contracts for Difference (CFDs), Perpetual Futures, and Options, all using crypto assets as the underlying value. For the everyday user, this means that the platform operates under the watchful eye of South African regulators, ensuring that the company maintains strict standards regarding how it handles your money and its internal operations.

As crypto becomes more integrated into the economy, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has become much more active in tracking digital asset gains. A common concern for users is: Does VALR report to SARS? In 2025, transparency is the name of the game. Like all licensed financial service providers in South Africa, VALR operates within the legal framework of the country, which includes cooperating with financial authorities when required.

It is important for investors to know that they are responsible for declaring their crypto gains or losses on their annual tax returns. While the platform provides sophisticated tools to help you download your transaction history and calculate your tax liability, the "trust" factor comes from the platform’s willingness to align with national laws. By using a licensed exchange, you are ensuring that your path to financial freedom is legal and transparent, avoiding the "gray areas" that often lead to heavy penalties from tax authorities.

When people ask, "Is VALR trustworthy?", they are usually looking at three things: security, track record, and accessibility. Over the last seven years, the platform has moved far beyond a basic exchange. It has integrated with massive payment networks like Zapper, Scan-to-Pay, and Peach Payments, allowing South Africans to spend their crypto at over 31,000 stores and 700,000 locations nationwide. This level of real-world utility is a strong indicator of a stable and trusted business model.

Trust is also built through rewards and reliability. During 2025 alone, users were rewarded with over $1 million through staking, lending, and trading competitions. The platform has made its interface simple enough for a beginner to navigate, yet its API (the technical backend) remains one of the most sophisticated in the market for institutional clients. This dual focus on the "grandparent" and the "hedge fund" shows a commitment to a robust, long-term financial infrastructure that doesn't compromise on security.

A major trend that dominated 2025 was the rise of Real World Assets (RWAs). In simple terms, these are digital tokens on a blockchain that represent physical assets like gold, real estate, or stocks. This innovation has significantly improved access for people who were previously "locked out" of global markets due to high costs or complex paperwork. By "tokenizing" these assets, even a small-scale investor in South Africa can now gain exposure to international markets.

In July 2025, VALR made history by listing the Garrington Capital USD Private Credit Token (USDPC). This was Africa’s first asset of its kind, allowing regular people to invest in the North American private credit market, an asset class that used to be reserved only for the ultra-wealthy. Later in the year, the launch of xStocks followed, enabling users to gain price exposure to U.S. giants like NVIDIA, Tesla, and the S&P 500. This bridge between crypto and traditional stock markets is a key reason why the platform is seen as a leader in financial evolution.

2025 was also the year that big banks and institutions finally "crossed the rubicon" into crypto. Globally, asset managers like BlackRock and Vanguard paved the way, but the local development in South Africa has been equally impressive. VALR has partnered with some of the largest institutions in Africa to provide the underlying infrastructure for their crypto products. In fact, several of South Africa’s most prominent banks are currently using this tech to build their own crypto asset services.

Strategic partnerships, such as the one with Mukuru, have improved access to US dollar stablecoins across the continent, facilitating easier cross-border payments. Additionally, more companies are following the "Michael Saylor" model by adding Bitcoin to their corporate treasuries to protect against inflation. This institutional "stamp of approval" provides a secondary layer of trust for individual retail investors, as it shows that the professionals and the banks have vetted the technology and found it reliable.

Beyond the technical charts and licenses, 2025 saw a massive push for public awareness. The multi-year deal with the DHL Stormers rugby team brought crypto branding into the homes of millions of South Africans. Whether it is the logo on the jerseys at DHL Stadium or the "Crypto For Everyone" helicopter flying across the country, the goal has been to demystify digital finance and make it feel like a normal part of everyday life.

This community focus is backed by educational tools like Crypto Bundles, which allow beginners to buy a "basket" of different coins at once. This prevents the common mistake of "putting all your eggs in one basket" and helps new investors build a diversified portfolio with a single click. By making finance fair and accessible, the platform is empowering individuals to take control of their financial independence with confidence.

As we head toward 2026, the progress made in 2025 serves as a powerful reminder that the world of money is changing. We have moved from a place of uncertainty to a regulated, transparent, and highly innovative environment. Whether you are looking to earn a yield on your savings, spend crypto at your local grocery store, or gain exposure to the U.S. stock market, the tools are now available at your fingertips.

Understanding the mindset of the modern investor means realizing that "waiting for the right time" often carries a high opportunity cost. The regulatory framework is in place, the technology is secure, and the community is growing every day. The future of finance is no longer a distant dream, it is happening right here in South Africa.