Luno
Simple crypto exchange for emerging markets
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Simple UX
- Educational content
- Earn on BTC/ETH
Cons
- Limited US availability
- Small selection
- Higher spreads
The Brief
MoneyMade Verdict
Luno is a well-regulated, beginner-friendly crypto exchange with genuine strengths in emerging markets — but its asset list tops out at around 19–27 coins depending on your region, it has no futures or margin trading, and its parent company DCG's high-profile troubles are a risk factor serious investors should not ignore.
Founded in 2013 in London (originally as BitX, rebranded Luno in 2017), Luno has built one of the most compliance-focused crypto exchanges outside the United States, holding regulatory licenses with the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Malaysia's Securities Commission (SC), and South Africa's Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), among others. The platform operates across 40+ countries with a particularly strong footprint in South Africa, Nigeria, Malaysia, and Indonesia, offering localized fiat on-ramps in ZAR, NGN, MYR, IDR, GBP, and EUR. It is owned by Digital Currency Group (DCG), the crypto conglomerate that also owned Genesis — a lending firm that declared bankruptcy in January 2023. Luno has continued operating independently since then, but the DCG connection remains a material disclosure.
The platform is built for simplicity. It offers spot trading on approximately 19–27 cryptocurrencies depending on region (including BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, ADA, LTC, BCH, LINK, UNI, NEAR, DOT, ATOM, AVAX, and USDC), a staking product covering ETH, SOL, ADA, DOT, NEAR, and ATOM with reported rates up to 11% ARP (with promotional rates previously reaching 18% for ATOM in select markets), and a recurring buy feature for dollar-cost averaging. Exchange trading fees run from 0% for makers to 0.10% for takers at the base tier, dropping to 0.03% at the $20M+ monthly volume tier. Instant buy/sell fees are higher — 1.5% for wallet-funded purchases and 3.5% for card purchases in the UK, with fees varying by region.
Head-to-Head
| Platform | Min | Target Return | Annual Fee | Liquidity | Accredited |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Varies | Spread + 0.1% taker | Daily | No | |
| — | Varies | 0.1% trading fee | Daily | No | |
| — | 5–15% yield | Platform fee | Perpetual | No | |
| — | 3–5% APY | 10% on rewards | Instant (liquid staking) | No | |
| — | Market returns | 0–2% premium bond fee | Daily | No |
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