South African cryptocurrency exchange Luno has expanded its Luno Pay service, allowing users to pay with Bitcoin or Tether at some of the country’s biggest retail chains, including Shoprite, Checkers, Makro, and Vodacom.
The integration links nearly 700,000 stores through the Scan to Pay network, enabling fast, QR code-based payments.
In collaboration with fintech partner MoneyBadger, Luno’s system enables merchants to accept crypto without any additional setup. Shoppers can simply scan a QR code using the Luno app, select their cryptocurrency, and complete the purchase instantly.
This frictionless model aims to make crypto payments as easy as using cash or cards. Since its launch in November 2024, Luno Pay has processed more than R28 million across 48,000 transactions at 1,600 merchants.
A 70% customer return rate suggests that users are becoming more comfortable using crypto for routine spending, reflecting a growing cultural shift toward practical digital asset use.
Luno executives believe this development signals the next phase of crypto adoption in Africa, moving from speculation to utility. The firm said the goal is to help people “use crypto in the real world,” promoting financial inclusion while demonstrating the stability of digital currencies like Bitcoin and Tether.
Industry experts say South Africa’s embrace of crypto payments could inspire broader adoption across the continent, where traditional banking access remains uneven. With its growing retail footprint, Luno is positioning itself as a key bridge between digital finance and real-world commerce.
The integration between Luno Pay’s 30,000 retail points and Scan to Pay’s 650,000 outlets represents one of the largest expansions of cryptocurrency payment access in South Africa to date.
This collaboration effectively connects hundreds of thousands of stores, from local merchants to major retailers, under a single, crypto-enabled payment ecosystem.
To stimulate customer engagement, Luno has introduced a reward mechanism offering up to 10% cashback in USDT for users who pay with the stablecoin. The initiative creates a clear incentive for consumers to explore crypto payments while demonstrating their reliability and real-world value.
By pairing broad retail access with immediate financial benefits, Luno is positioning itself at the forefront of South Africa’s transition toward practical, user-driven cryptocurrency adoption.