Luno Review 2027 Fees, Features and Safety

This Luno review for 2027 looks at the London, United Kingdom-based crypto exchange, founded in 2013, and covers trading fees, security record and regulation, so you can decide whether it fits the way you trade.

What is Luno? (2027)

Luno is a cryptocurrency platform focused on making digital assets simple for first-time buyers, particularly in emerging markets. Marcus Swanepoel and Timothy Stranex founded it in 2013 under the name BitX. The company rebranded as Luno in 2017 and is headquartered in London, with major operations in South Africa and regional offices in Africa and Southeast Asia. In September 2020 it was acquired by Digital Currency Group, one of the largest investment firms in the crypto industry.

Luno reports more than 13 million customers across over 40 countries. Its biggest markets are South Africa, Nigeria, Malaysia and Indonesia, where it is often the first crypto app people try.

Designed for beginners

Luno's app strips crypto down to the essentials. You deposit local currency, choose a coin and tap buy. Clear explanations, price alerts and learning modules guide new users through each step. This approach has made it a household name in South Africa, where it is the largest crypto platform by customer numbers.

The selection is intentionally narrow. Depending on the country, Luno offers from around a dozen to a few dozen cryptocurrencies, all of them established assets. Each addition goes through an internal review, and the company avoids speculative micro-cap tokens.

Products

• Instant Buy and Sell: the simplest way to trade, at a quoted price that includes a fee.
• Luno Exchange: an order-book platform with limit orders, charts and lower fees for more experienced users.
• Repeat buys: automated purchases on a daily, weekly or monthly schedule.
• Staking: rewards on supported proof-of-stake coins.
• Savings: interest on selected balances in certain markets.
• Bundles and tokenised stocks in some countries, giving diversified exposure with one purchase.
• Luno Pay: in South Africa, customers can pay with crypto at participating retailers and earn rewards.

Local currency support

A major advantage is direct support for currencies that global exchanges often ignore. South African users deposit rand by bank transfer, Malaysians use ringgit, and Indonesian customers fund accounts in rupiah. In Nigeria, where banking access for crypto companies has shifted with regulation, Luno has adapted its deposit methods over time. Withdrawals go straight back to a local bank account.

Fees

Instant Buy and Sell carry a percentage fee that varies by country and can be relatively high for small purchases. The Luno Exchange is cheaper: makers generally pay nothing, while takers pay a tiered fee that falls with volume. Deposit and withdrawal fees depend on the local payment method. If you plan to trade more than occasionally, learning to use the Exchange will save money.

Security

Luno has not suffered a hack of customer funds in more than a decade. The large majority of crypto is held in deep cold storage, with keys kept in bank vaults and multi-signature approval required to move assets. The company states that customer assets are held one to one and are not lent out without consent, and it has published proof-of-reserves attestations performed by an independent auditor.

Financial trouble at Genesis, another Digital Currency Group company, in 2022 raised questions for all of the group's businesses. Luno stated that it had no exposure and continued to operate normally.

Regulation

Luno has consistently sought licences in the countries where it operates. In Malaysia it became the first digital asset exchange approved by the Securities Commission in 2019. In South Africa it was granted a crypto asset service provider licence by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority in 2024. It is licensed or registered in Indonesia, Australia and several European jurisdictions.

The service is not available in the United States. In the United Kingdom, tightened marketing rules led Luno to limit services for some customers for a period.

Who is Luno best for?

Luno is one of the best starting points for newcomers in Africa and Southeast Asia who want to buy Bitcoin or Ethereum with local currency from a regulated provider. It also works well for people who invest small amounts regularly.

Advanced traders will miss derivatives, margin and a broad coin list.

Pros and cons

• Pros: very easy to use, local currency deposits in underserved markets, licensed in South Africa and Malaysia, no hacks, backed by a major industry group.
• Cons: small coin selection, higher fees on instant purchases, no derivatives, not available in the United States.

Luno review: verdict for 2027

Luno succeeds by doing less, and doing it clearly. For millions of people in emerging markets it offers a safe, regulated and simple first step into crypto. Experienced traders will outgrow it, but as an entry point it is hard to fault.

Compare this Luno review with all 40 crypto exchanges in our 2027 list, and confirm the latest terms on the official Luno website before you open an account.