South Africans can now pay with cryptocurrency at over 650,000 merchants nationwide after a new Scan to Pay and MoneyBadger integration, allowing Bitcoin and stablecoin payments via QR codes while merchants receive settlement in rand.
Integration enables crypto checkout at 650,000+ Scan to Pay merchants
Users can pay with Bitcoin, stablecoins and other crypto via QR codes tied to exchanges or Lightning wallets
Merchants receive settlement in rand; platforms named include Binance, Luno, Blink and VALR
pay with cryptocurrency in South Africa — Spend Bitcoin and stablecoins at 650,000+ stores now; learn how to use QR checkout and start using crypto for everyday purchases.
What does the Scan to Pay and MoneyBadger integration enable?
Pay with cryptocurrency in South Africa now lets users spend Bitcoin, stablecoins and other crypto directly at more than 650,000 Scan to Pay-enabled merchants. The integration links users’ exchange or Lightning accounts to a QR checkout flow so merchants receive payments settled in rand.
How do users pay with crypto at checkout?
Shoppers scan a merchant QR code at the till and select a linked exchange or Bitcoin Lightning wallet to complete payment. The MoneyBadger platform routes the transaction and settles the merchant in rand, so no merchant-side conversion is required.
Which exchanges and merchants are involved?
Major local and global platforms named in the rollout include Binance, Luno, Blink and VALR. Luno’s merchant base of roughly 30,000 outlets is now connected to Scan to Pay’s wider network, expanding coverage to major retail chains and national retailers.
Why does removing the crypto conversion step matter?
Removing an on‑ramp conversion simplifies checkout and reduces friction for day‑to‑day crypto use. Theo Koma, product owner at Scan to Pay, said the move advances financial inclusion by letting people use cryptocurrency holdings directly for purchases without converting to fiat first.
What does this mean for merchant adoption?
Merchants on Scan to Pay do not need new equipment or extra reconciliation steps to accept crypto; they continue to be paid in rand. That lowers the barrier for widespread merchant acceptance and supports mass uptake across supermarkets, mobile retailers and online stores.
When will South Africans start using crypto for everyday spending?
Rolling out across Scan to Pay-enabled outlets is ongoing, and users can already transact where terminals support the integration. MoneyBadger CEO Carel van Wyk said the trend shows a market shift from hoarding Bitcoin toward spending it for groceries and services.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I connect my exchange to MoneyBadger for payments?
Linking is handled through the MoneyBadger interface where users can connect supported exchanges and Lightning wallets. Once linked, the QR checkout will present the connected funding options at payment time.
Is my payment converted instantly to rand at checkout?
Yes. The platform routes and settles merchant receipts in rand immediately, shielding merchants from crypto price volatility while allowing users to spend crypto directly.
How to pay with crypto at a Scan to Pay merchant
Key Takeaways
- Broad merchant coverage: Over 650,000 Scan to Pay outlets can now accept crypto at checkout.
- Seamless UX: QR checkout links exchanges and Lightning wallets so users can spend crypto without manual conversion.
- Merchant-friendly settlement: Merchants receive payments in rand, lowering adoption friction and operational impact.
Conclusion
The Scan to Pay and MoneyBadger integration marks a practical step for crypto payments in South Africa, enabling consumers to pay with Bitcoin and stablecoins at hundreds of thousands of merchants while merchants receive rand. This setup could accelerate everyday adoption and merchant acceptance of crypto as a payment method.
A new integration allows South Africans to spend Bitcoin, stablecoins and other crypto directly at more than 650,000 merchants nationwide.
South Africans can now pay with cryptocurrency at thousands of retail stores nationwide, following a new partnership between QR payments provider Scan to Pay and Bitcoin payments company MoneyBadger.
According to a Tech Central report, the integration allows users of major exchanges, including Binance, Luno, Blink and VALR, to pay using Bitcoin (BTC), stablecoins and other crypto assets at over 650,000 Scan to Pay-enabled merchants.
Crypto holders can pay for their purchases through QR codes at checkout counters, while the merchants will receive the settlement in rand. The system works through the MoneyBadger platform, linking payments to users’ exchanges or Bitcoin Lightning accounts.
With the integration, users can essentially pay for groceries, meals and online shopping directly with crypto.
Removing the crypto conversion step for users
Theo Koma, the product owner at Scan to Pay, said that the collaboration is a step toward financial inclusion. “By removing the conversion step, we’re making it possible for people to use their cryptocurrency holdings directly,” Koma said.
This means that crypto users would not need to convert their funds back into fiat when they want to use the assets for everyday purchases.
Merchants would also not need to perform any additional steps to accept crypto payments on Scan to Pay’s existing network.
Crypto platform Luno said the collaboration connects its 30,000 merchant base with Scan to Pay’s 650,000 outlets, expanding payments to major retail chains like Shoprite, Checkers, Makro and Vodacom.
South Africans are moving from hoarding to spending
MoneyBadger CEO Carel van Wyk said the rollout reflects a bigger shift in the local market.
“South Africans are increasingly moving from holding Bitcoin as an investment to using it for everyday spending,” he said. “This move expands the number of places where South Africans can pay with Bitcoin significantly.”
Van Wyk previously urged the community to spend their Bitcoin, arguing that hoarding Bitcoin kills adoption. On Oct. 2, he pointed to the Bitcoin white paper’s original vision of being a peer-to-peer electronic cash system.
He said that market demand strengthens utility and creates market demand for merchants to accept BTC payments.
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