VALR Review 2026
Learn more about TU’s methodology
- $1
- Proprietary platform
- All major cryptocurrencies, only South African rand is available from fiat, low fixed fees, mutually beneficial referral program, no investment
Our Evaluation of VALR
Learn more about TU’s methodology
VALR is a cryptocurrency exchange with higher-than-average risk and the TU Overall Score of 4.45 out of 10. Having reviewed trading opportunities offered by the company and reviews posted by VALR clients on our website, Traders Union expert Anton Kharitonov recommends users to consider a more reliable broker with better conditions, as, according to reviews, many clients of this broker are not satisfied with the company’s work.
The VALR exchange offers a simplified cryptocurrency trading system with favorable conditions. The site stands out for its functionality, large trading volumes, and top-tier level of security. Of the options for passive earnings, only the referral program is available. There is mobile trading. The crypto exchange is engaged in charity work and acts transparently within the framework of international law.
How we tested VALR
Traders Union has analyzed financial markets for over 14 years, evaluating brokers based on 250+ transparent criteria, including security, regulation, and trading conditions. Our expert team of over 50 professionals regularly updates a Watch List of 500+ brokers to provide users with data-driven insights. While our research is based on objective data, we recommend that users perform independent due diligence and consult official regulatory sources before making any financial decisions.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial policies.
Brief Look at VALR
The VALR exchange is a renowned cryptocurrency trading platform. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and other cryptocurrencies are at your disposal for trading here. Instantaneous exchange and margin trading are available (but no leverage). Of the fiat funds, only the South African rand is represented. The crypto exchange has a web version of the trading terminal and applications for iOS and Android for mobile trading. The site offers a referral program with four levels of reward. Traders' assets are stored in the Bittrex system, and the platform uses several levels of security to protect users' funds. Fees are fixed and are below the market average.
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- a plethora of cryptocurrencies for exchange and trade;
- functional and easy-to-learn trading terminal;
- the presence of an author's application for mobile trading;
- lucrative referral program with discounts and rewards;
- top-tier level of protection of data and user funds;
- all major options for depositing and withdrawing funds;
- low fixed fees for trading operations;
- Crypto4Covid Fund for Covid-19 Affected People.
- the exchange does not offer tutorials;
- only South African rand is presented as fiat;
- communication with technical support can be initiated exclusively through tickets.
TU Expert Verdict
Chief Analytics Officer
VALR is a cryptocurrency exchange that provides access to trading Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, and over 400 other cryptocurrencies via its proprietary web and mobile platforms. The platform supports spot and futures contracts, offers low fixed fees between 0% and 0.1% for spot trades, and enables deposits and withdrawals through South African banks, cards, and crypto wallets. Key features include a referral program with additional rewards, mandatory KYC verification, cold wallet storage for client assets via Bittrex, and a security framework with two-factor authentication. TradingView integration is available for advanced charting, and the minimum deposit is $1.
However, a notable drawback is that fiat support is limited to the South African rand, which may restrict flexibility for users outside South Africa. Additional disadvantages include the lack of tutorials or demo accounts, no leverage or margin trading beyond 1:1, and customer support available only through a ticket system. VALR may therefore suit active cryptocurrency traders seeking low fees and high security, but may not be the best option for users needing broad fiat access, educational resources, or immediate support channels.
VALR Summary
Your capital is at risk. Cryptocurrency trading can be extremely risky. Cryptocurrency trading can lead to large and immediate financial losses. The volatility and unpredictability of the price of cryptocurrency relative to fiat currency may result in significant loss over a short period of time. Transactions in cryptocurrency may be irreversible, and, accordingly, losses due to fraudulent or accidental transactions may not be recoverable. The nature of cryptocurrency may lead to an increased risk of fraud or cyber attack.
| 💻 Trading platform: | Proprietary (web and app) |
|---|---|
| 📊 Accounts: | Standard |
| 💰 Account currency: | Cryptos, currencies |
| 💵 Deposit / Withdrawal: | Bank cards and accounts (ZAR only), electronic and cryptocurrency wallets |
| 🚀 Minimum deposit: | $1 |
| ⚖️ Leverage: | 1:1 |
| 💼 Copy Trading: | No |
| 📈️ Min Order: | From 0 |
| 💱 Commission: |
Spot: 0%-0.1% Futures: 0%-0.04% |
| 🔧 Instruments: | Futures, Perpetual contracts, Fiat, NFT. |
| 💹 Margin Call / Stop Out: | No |
| 🏛 Liquidity provider: | No |
| 📱 Mobile trading: | Yes |
| ➕ Affiliate program: | Yes |
| 📋 Order execution: | Market |
| ⭐ Trading features: | All major cryptocurrencies, only South African rand is available from fiat, low fixed fees, mutually beneficial referral program, no investment |
| 🎁 Contests and bonuses: | Not indicated |
The VALR crypto exchange has not set a minimum deposit. To make a quick exchange or trade on the exchange, the user needs to register, go through verification and deposit any amount of funds using any of the available methods. There are no limits or restrictions on trading strategies. There is no leverage for margin trading. Please note that there is only one way to contact the technical support of the company — through the ticket system.
Technical specialists will provide answers 24/7. You can see the summary data on the main trading conditions of the site in the table below.
VALR Key Parameters Evaluation
Video Review of VALR
Regulation and Safety
With a 7.25/10 score, VALR demonstrates a moderate level of security and regulation. While the platform meets basic safety standards, it may not offer the same level of protection as higher-rated exchanges.
- Government-regulated
- Cold wallet storage
- No successful hacks history
- Investor protection fund
- 2FA
- Not tier-1 regulated
- No facial recognition
- Not U.S regulated
VALR Security Factors
We also compared VALR against the top two competitors with the highest scores in our overall ranking based on the most critical security indicators.
| VALR | Kraken | Coinbase | |
| Tier-1 regulation | No | Yes | Yes |
| Government-regulated | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Investor protection fund | Yes | No | Yes |
| 2FA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Facial recognition | No | No | No |
| Cold wallet storage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Successful hacker attacks | No | No | Yes |
Is VALR a regulated crypto exchange?
VALR is regulated by a government authority, ensuring compliance with national and international standards. However, it does not hold Tier-1 regulation (e.g., in the U.S., UK, Germany, Spain, France, Australia, Singapore, or other jurisdictions with strict financial oversight). While this regulation provides an added layer of security and legitimacy, it may not offer the highest level of investor protection found in top-tier regulatory environments.
VALR is authorized or licensed in accordance with local regulations in the following regions: South Africa.
Is verification (KYC) mandatory at VALR?
Yes, KYC verification is mandatory at VALR. You will need to complete the verification process before you can open an account and access the platform's full range of services.
Is VALR available in the USA?
VALR is not available in the USA due to regulatory restrictions. In some cases, access might differ by state, so we recommend confirming details with the platform’s support or checking the official website for the latest updates.
You may also consider the top 3 exchanges that are available in the USA and rank highly based on our methodology: Kraken, Coinbase, OKX .
VALR commissions and fees
VALR has earned a rating of 8.5/10 for its trading fees. This makes it a highly attractive choice for active traders seeking to reduce costs, as VALR is a platform with minimal crypto trading costs.
- Futures fees below industry average
- Spot fee below industry average
- No deposit fee
- Withdrawal fee may be applied
- P2P fee applied
What are VALR trading fees?
We analyzed VALR’s crypto fees and compared them to the top two competitors, both of which hold high average positions in our rankings. To establish a comprehensive benchmark, we also calculated the average fee score based on an evaluation of over 100 cryptocurrency exchanges.
VALR trading fees vs competitors
| VALR | Nexus Trade | CoinMetro | Industry average | |
| Spot, maker fee (%) | 0 | 0.22 | 0.1 | 0.15 |
| Spot, taker fee (%) | 0.1 | 0.22 | 0.2 | 0.194 |
| Futures, maker fee(%) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.024 |
| Futures, taker fee(%) | 0.04 | 0 | 0.053 |
What are VALR deposit and withdrawal fees?
| Deposit fee, % | 0-3.9 |
| Withdrawal fee, % | 8.5 ZAR |
Does VALR offer P2P trading?
Yes, VALR offers a P2P trading platform. We have provided the fees for these transactions and compared them with competitors.VALR P2P Fees
| VALR | MaiCoin MAX | BTSE | |
| P2P maker fee (%) | - 0,01 (rebate) | 0,1 | 0,01 |
| P2P taker fee (%) | 0 | 0,15 | 0,05 |
Deposit and Withdrawal
VALR received a 6.5/10 rating for its deposit and withdrawal services. While VALR covers basic payment options, the platform lacks some widely used methods that could improve user flexibility.
- P2P for flexible transfers
- Many cryptocurrencies for deposits and withdrawals
- Bank transfers for deposits and withdrawals
- Bank cards accepted for instant deposits
- No PayPal option
- No Google Pay option
- Deposit fees apply
Deposit and withdrawal options
VALR supports the following deposit and withdrawal options: Bank transfers, Bank card, Crypto.
VALR Deposit and withdrawal options vs competitors
| VALR | Kraken | Coinbase | |
| Bank transfers | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bank card | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes | Yes |
What is VALR minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit at VALR is 1 USD/USDT or 1 BTC. The minimum trade size is 1 USD/USDT, which also serves as the minimum amount required to start trading on the platform.
VALR minimum deposit vs competitors
| VALR | Kraken | Coinbase | |
| Minimum deposit, USD or USDT | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Minimum deposit, BTC | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Minimum trade amount, USD/USDT | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Does VALR support fiat money?
VALR supports fiat currency trading and account funding. The following fiat currencies are accepted:
Supported coins & markets
VALR received a score of 6.5/10 in this category, reflecting a solid selection of tradable assets and markets. VALR supports 0 cryptocurrencies and basic trading types, although some advanced features or asset diversity may be limited compared to leading exchanges.
- Staking available
- Yield farming available
- Crypto copy trading available
- Crypto options not available
VALR supported coins and markets vs competitors
We compared VALR with leading exchanges in terms of supported coins, NFT access, and derivatives like futures and options to help users assess the platform’s product range and trading flexibility.
| VALR | Kraken | Coinbase | |
| Supported coins | 278 | 249 | |
| Futures/Perpetual contracts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Options | No | No | No |
| NFTs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
VALR passive income options vs competitors
We also compared VALR with top competitors in terms of passive income opportunities such as staking, farming, and copy trading, to help users evaluate the platform’s earning potential beyond regular trading.
Trading apps & tools
VALR received a score of 8.5/10 for its trading apps and tools. Its mobile platforms are highly rated on both iOS and Android, delivering smooth performance, advanced charting capabilities, and real-time market data.
- Android app score 4.7
- Strategy sharing with Copy Trading
- Advanced tools and automation with API
- App data protection with 2FA
- Advanced orders not available
- No trading bots for traders
- No Face ID
Trading apps
VALR provides web and mobile apps for both Android and iOS users, with an average rating of 4.8 on the App Store and 4.7 on Google Play. Our review focused on core features important to traders, particularly trading functionality and security tools, to evaluate how convenient and safe the VALR platform is for mobile use.
| VALR | Kraken | Coinbase | |
| 2FA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Face ID | No | No | No |
| Mob Indicators | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Alerts | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Orders | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Trading with bots | No | No | No |
| API | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extra trading platforms | No | No | No |
Does VALR offer a desktop app?
No, VALR does not currently offer a desktop app. However, users can access the platform via its web version, which provides more comprehensive functionality compared to the mobile apps.
Does VALR offer advanced charting with TradingView integration?
Yes, VALR offers advanced charting through direct integration with TradingView. Users can access TradingView’s full suite of indicators, drawing tools, and multi-timeframe analysis directly on the platform.
Contacts
| Foundation date | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Registration address | 29 Wessel Road, Edenburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2000, South Africa |
| Official site | https://valr.com |
| Contacts |
+27 067 907 5078
|
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