Bitcoin 
Ethereum 
Tether 
BNB 
XRP 
USDC 
Solana 
TRON 
Lido Staked Ether 
Figure Heloc VALR Teams Up With Checkout.com to Make Global Crypto On-Ramps Way Easier.
Ryan Moore 
VALR is making it simpler for people around the world to get into crypto. The Africa-based exchange announced a new partnership with Checkout.com that lets international users fund their VALR accounts and buy crypto using familiar payment methods like debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
For users outside South Africa, this removes one of the biggest pain points in crypto onboarding: slow and confusing bank transfers. With the Checkout.com integration, customers can now buy assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and others instantly using their local currency, with funds landing in their VALR wallet in seconds.
Bringing Familiar Payments Into Crypto
The idea behind the integration is straightforward. Instead of forcing new users to navigate international wire transfers or unfamiliar payment flows, VALR is meeting people where they already are. Checkout.com supports more than 150 fiat currencies, making it possible for users across different regions to pay in their local money and receive crypto or stablecoins like USDC right away.
From a user perspective, it feels closer to a regular online checkout experience. You pick your asset, pay with a card or digital wallet you already use, and the crypto shows up almost instantly. Behind the scenes, Checkout.com’s regulated payment infrastructure works alongside VALR’s existing security systems to handle conversions and settlement.
Lower Friction, Wider Access
For VALR, this partnership is about opening the doors wider. While the exchange is best known as Africa’s largest by trading volume, it has been steadily expanding its global footprint. Making on-ramps faster and more familiar is a key step in reaching users who are curious about crypto but hesitant to jump through technical hoops.
“This partnership with Checkout.com represents a significant step in democratising access to crypto,” said Badi Sudhakaran, Chief Product Officer at VALR. “By enabling instant deposits and purchases via a wide range of local currencies using trusted methods like cards and digital wallets, we’re simplifying entry into crypto and helping bridge traditional and digital finance.”
That focus on ease of access matters, especially in regions where banking infrastructure can be inconsistent or where international transfers come with high fees and long delays.
A Global Exchange With African Roots
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Johannesburg, VALR has grown into a full-service crypto exchange serving users well beyond Africa. Backed by investors like Pantera Capital, Coinbase Ventures, and Fidelity’s F-Prime Capital, the platform now supports more than 1.5 million users and nearly 2,000 institutional and corporate clients.
Its product lineup spans spot trading, margin and perpetual futures, staking, lending and borrowing, OTC services, and crypto payments. VALR is licensed by South Africa’s FSCA and also holds regulatory approval in Europe, positioning it as one of the more compliance-focused exchanges operating globally.
Why This Matters
As crypto pushes toward mainstream adoption, on-ramps are often where things break down. Complex banking steps and unfamiliar payment flows can stop users before they ever make their first trade. By integrating Checkout.com, VALR is betting that smoother, faster payments will turn curiosity into participation.
For users, it means fewer steps and faster access. For VALR, it’s another move toward becoming a truly global exchange that feels local no matter where you’re logging in from.
About the Author
David Rich 
John Wood 
Timothy Young