[PRESS RELEASE – Johannesburg, South Africa, February 16th, 2026]
VALR, Africa’s largest crypto exchange by trade volume, concluded its role as a Gold Sponsor at the Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi on 11–12 February 2026. The event underscored Africa’s growing prominence as a centre for crypto innovation and adoption.
Africa’s financial landscape remains fragmented, with 54 countries and multiple national currencies in use. Cross-border payments continue to face high costs, often averaging around 7-8% for remittances according to sources such as the World Bank and industry reports from 2025, and delays of several days via traditional systems. Inflation averaged above 13% across the continent in 2025, according to the African Development Bank’s Macroeconomic Performance and Outlook Update from November 2025. These factors limit access to relatively stable foreign currencies such as the US dollar and encourage the use of alternatives for value preservation and efficient transactions.
Crypto adoption has accelerated in response. Sub-Saharan Africa recorded 52% year-over-year growth in crypto activity through mid-2025, according to Chainalysis’ 2025 Global Crypto Adoption Index and Geography of Cryptocurrency Report. Stablecoins such as USDT and USDC play a prominent role in transaction volumes in the region, supporting practical applications including hedging inflation, remittances, and payments.
Countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Ghana rank among the highest globally for crypto adoption, according to Chainalysis data. Nigeria leads Sub-Saharan Africa with over $92 billion in transaction value in the 12 months to mid-2025, followed by South Africa. Africa accounts for only about 3% of global trade volumes, yet these markets demonstrate leadership in applying crypto to real-world challenges around accessibility, participation, and capital flows.
VALR has expanded rapidly over the past two years, establishing itself as Africa’s leading crypto exchange by trade volume. It offers the deepest ZAR-denominated crypto markets in the world and ranks among the largest minters of USDC globally. Licensed by South Africa’s Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and with regulatory approval in Europe, VALR serves over 1.7 million registered users and 1,800 corporate and institutional clients.
Co-Founder and CEO Farzam Ehsani delivered a keynote speech on the VALR Stage. He addressed the need for the global financial system to reflect the fundamental oneness of humanity, with crypto well-positioned to play a key role in achieving this.
Reflecting on the summit, Ehsani said: “The Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi reinforced a clear message: “Africa is not merely adopting crypto but leading its practical application to solve pressing financial needs. We are optimistic about the continent’s future and the role of unified, inclusive finance globally. VALR remains committed to building infrastructure that bridges divides and advances this shared vision.”
Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer Badi Sudhakaran participated in a panel on crypto adoption in Africa. He emphasised that adoption stems from necessity, positioning the continent as a hub for innovation and real-world application.
About VALR
Founded in 2018, headquartered in Johannesburg, and backed by leading investors including Pantera Capital, Coinbase Ventures and Fidelity’s F-Prime Capital, VALR is a global crypto exchange offering a comprehensive suite of products—including Spot Trading, Spot Margin, Perpetual Futures, Staking, Lending, Borrowing, OTC services, VALR Invest, Crypto Bundles, and VALR Pay. Licensed by South Africa’s FSCA, with regulatory approval in Europe, VALR serves over 1.7 million registered users and 1,800 corporate and institutional clients worldwide. The exchange is dedicated to advancing a just financial future that upholds human dignity and the unity of mankind. For more information, visit valr.com.
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