Luno, a crypto investment platform with the objective of creating once in a lifetime opportunity for financial freedom and growth across Africa, South East Asia, and Europe has launched two innovative products in two of its biggest markets in Africa; Nigeria, and South Africa. The Crypto platform said the decision to launch its Crypto Staking in the Nigerian market was informed by the fact that Nigerians are increasingly looking beyond trading to build long-term value with digital assets. In South Africa, Luno’s introduction of a tokenized blue-chip stock is to address the challenges faced by investors in emerging markets, where multiple layers of fees, significant waiting times, and complex processes often limit traditional investment options. By offering tokenized stocks, Luno removes these barriers while maintaining security and regulatory compliance.
Speaking during the unveiling of this product, Ayotunde Alabi, CEO of Luno Nigeria, said that Luno has “ evolved beyond the era of speculation and hoping a reward is earned”, this according to him is because “ People are seeking informed, safe, and equally rewarding alternatives, and staking offers that path.”
Luno has since its emergence in the Crypto market maintained that its objective is to make crypto inclusive and accessible by being on the side of its customers at every step of the journey said that this landmark move opens up a new frontier in passive income for Nigerian users, who can now earn up to 18% annually on select digital assets directly within the Luno app.
The feature debuts with four leading proof-of-stake assets: Cosmos (ATOM), Solana (SOL), Polkadot (DOT) and NEAR Protocol (NEAR). With these, users can begin earning rewards by simply holding their assets, without trading or taking on additional exposure. Rewards are paid out regularly, and staked assets remain accessible at all times, with no minimum amounts required and no fixed lock-up periods or hidden fees.
As demand grows for more stable, passive income options in the Nigerian crypto space, users have typically faced limited, often risky choices—relying on offshore platforms. Luno’s introduction of a high-yield staking option responds directly to this gap by offering a first-of-its-kind, locally available, and compliance-led solution. For the first three months, significant platform fees will be waived, increasing the rewards customers receive.
Speaking about the launch, Ayotunde Alabi, CEO of Luno Nigeria, said, “It has become evident over time that Nigerians are increasingly looking beyond trading to build long-term value with digital assets. We’ve evolved beyond the era of speculation and hoping a reward is earned. People are seeking informed, safe, and equally rewarding alternatives, and staking offers that path.
This development according to the crypto platform represents a new phase of crypto adoption, one rooted in sustainability and utility. Our aim is to support this shift with tools that are easy to use, transparent, and aligned with real financial goals, all while maintaining our high standards of safety and compliance as a licensed operator.
The launch in Nigeria follows Luno’s earlier rollouts in South Africa and Malaysia, where it has seen strong adoption. In South Africa alone, over 150,000 customers have opened staking wallets, with more than R1.5 billion worth of crypto assets staked via the platform, further signalling the growing appetite for passive crypto products in regulated environments.
The exchange’s model is designed to lower barriers for participation while maintaining full transparency. Customers retain full control over their assets, can unstake at any time, and can begin earning with as little or as much crypto as they choose.
On the international tokenized stocks and ETFs in South Africa, which will be available for investment in early August 2025, Luno said it would address the challenges faced by investors in emerging markets, where multiple layers of fees, significant waiting times, and complex processes often limit traditional investment options. By offering tokenized stocks, Luno removes these barriers while maintaining security and regulatory compliance.
Through Luno, South Africans will have easy access to more than sixty of the world’s most valuable US-listed companies and indices, without needing to transfer funds offshore or wait for US trading hours. This first-of-its-kind offering in South Africa enables Luno customers to invest in the largest global equities like Apple, Alphabet, NVIDIA, and the S&P 500, using South African rands without the restrictions of US market trading hours.
“Until now, access to global financial markets has been locked behind red tape and legacy systems,” said Christo de Wit, country manager for South Africa at Luno. “With tokenized stocks, we’re offering South African investors easy access to global investments any time of the day or night.”
The tokenized assets are fully backed by real shares held in regulated custody through Luno’s integration with global partners, including Kraken’s xStocks and Backed Finance, ensuring trusted infrastructure for users.
Customers can buy Luno’s tokenized stocks directly in rand, without needing to convert foreign currency or pay foreign exchange fees. Instant settlement is also available, with no lock-in periods, meaning assets remain liquid. Additionally, investors can access tokenized fractional shares from as little as R20 in the world’s most valuable companies. Instead of paying almost R4,000 for an Apple share, for instance, you can buy just a portion, making global investing affordable for all South Africans.
Tokenized stocks represent digital versions of traditional shares, allowing investors to buy and sell portions of companies through blockchain technology.
This represents a fundamental shift in how we think about investing,” explained de Wit. “We’re not just digitizing old processes we’re reimagining what’s possible when you combine improved technology with investor needs.
At present, more than 15 million people have chosen to invest in crypto with Luno and all the crypto “we store on your behalf is verified by independent auditors. We’re in it for the long term and we invite you on this journey with us,” the company stated.
