South Africa Enables Bitcoin Payments at 650,000 Retail Locations

Seamless Integration With Existing Payment Infrastructure

The payment process requires shoppers to scan a QR code and confirm the transaction amount. Subsequently, merchants receive payments instantly in South African rand. Therefore, MoneyBadger’s infrastructure links exchange balances or Lightning wallets directly to point-of-sale systems. Moreover, the technology functions similarly to traditional debit card transactions.

Carel van Wyk, MoneyBadger CEO, noted that Bitcoin was never meant to sit idle as it represents working money. However, cryptocurrencies in South Africa were primarily viewed as investment vehicles until recently. Consequently, the country has experienced a rise in crypto-based retail transactions. Theo Koma, Scan to Pay’s product head, stated that “our goal was to let people spend their crypto without the friction of converting it to cash first.”

Major Retailers Accept Digital Currency Payments

The partnership connects Scan to Pay’s network with Luno’s 30,000 merchant partners. Therefore, cryptocurrency payment options now extend to major retailers including Shoprite, Checkers, Makro, and Vodacom. Additionally, the integration works smoothly with existing merchant systems without requiring infrastructure changes. Moreover, everyday expenses from supermarket purchases to mobile phone bills can now be paid using Bitcoin or other digital currencies.

The collaboration positions South Africa as one of the most crypto-ready retail environments globally. Nevertheless, merchants continue receiving payments in traditional currency while customers utilize digital assets. Consequently, the system bridges cryptocurrency adoption with mainstream retail commerce through established payment networks.