Luno review

4.0Last reviewed 2026-08-12

Know before you deposit

Luno is winding down EU operations (EUR withdrawals end 31 Aug 2026, accounts close 1 Sep 2026); it remains fully active in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Luno is a strong choice for buying bitcoin in its core markets, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Indonesia, and Malaysia, but Europeans need to leave: the exchange is winding down EU operations, with selling and EUR withdrawals ending 31 August 2026 and accounts closing on 1 September 2026. Crypto transfers to external wallets for affected EU users were disabled in late June 2026, so remaining balances must be sold and withdrawn as euros, and residual balances start accruing monthly fees in September.

In Africa the story is the opposite. Luno Nigeria became the first global exchange admitted to the Nigerian SEC's Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme in July 2026, a meaningful step in a market where regulation is finally taking shape. Owned by Digital Currency Group since 2020, the company cut about 20% of its global headcount as it refocused, but only around 5% of roles in Africa.

The product is beginner-friendly: instant buys with a spread, a proper order book with lower maker-taker fees underneath, recurring buys, and local deposit methods in each market, from bank transfer to mobile money. In one of its five core countries it is a sensible default; in Europe, sell and withdraw your euros before the deadline.

Visit LunoOpens www.luno.com

Founded: 2013
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Fees: Instant buys include a spread; the Luno Exchange order book charges lower maker-taker fees. Deposit costs vary by country and method.
KYC: Required
Payment methods: Local bank transfer, Credit or debit card, DuitNow, FPX online banking
Status: Operating

How you can pay on Luno

Every deposit rail Luno supports in at least one market. Which of them you can use depends on your country; the country guides below list the exact methods per market.

Domestic bank rail: DuitNow FPX online banking Instant EFT Local bank transfer PesaLink
Card: Credit or debit card
Mobile money: Airtel Money M-Pesa Mobile money

As published by Luno: Local bank transfer, Debit and credit cards, Mobile money (varies by market).

Where Luno offers each rail, country by country

Pros and cons

What works

First global exchange admitted to the Nigerian SEC's Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme in July 2026
Deep local payment integration across African and Southeast Asian markets
Simple app with recurring buys plus a cheaper order book underneath
Owned by Digital Currency Group since 2020, with most Africa operations untouched by the restructuring

What to watch

Exiting the EU: selling and EUR withdrawals end 31 August 2026 and accounts close 1 September 2026, with monthly fees on residual balances afterward
EU customers lost crypto withdrawals to self-custody in late June 2026, forcing a sale rather than a transfer
Fewer advanced trading features than the big global order-book exchanges

Fees in detail

spread note: Instant buys include a spread; the Luno Exchange order book charges lower maker-taker fees.
deposit note: Local deposit methods and costs vary by market; bank transfers are typically low cost.
withdrawal note: Bitcoin withdrawals pay a network fee in active markets; EU customers can no longer withdraw crypto to self-custody and must sell before the wind-down deadline.

Every Luno cost, by rail and by country

Where we recommend Luno

Countries where Luno ranks in our local guide, each with its rank, the payment methods it takes there and the legal position. Availability beyond these is possible but unverified by us.

All 5 countries with rank, rails and legal status

Frequently asked questions

Can I still use Luno in Europe?

Only to exit. Crypto transfers to external wallets were disabled for affected EU users in late June 2026; selling and EUR withdrawals end on 31 August 2026, and accounts close on 1 September 2026. Sell and withdraw your euros before the deadline, because residual balances accrue monthly fees from September.

Where does Luno operate?

Its core markets are Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Indonesia, and Malaysia, with local deposit methods in each.

Is Luno legal in Nigeria?

Yes. Luno Nigeria became the first global exchange admitted to the Nigerian SEC's Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme in July 2026, giving it explicit regulatory standing under the new virtual asset regime.