Yellow Card review

4.1Last reviewed 2026-08-12

Yellow Card is the most credible way to buy bitcoin with local currency across much of Africa. It operates in more than 20 countries, holds licenses or registrations in 22 jurisdictions, and takes payment through the rails people actually use: local bank transfer and mobile money.

The company is well funded and increasingly institutional. In August 2026 it raised $40 million led by SC Ventures, Standard Chartered's ventures arm, with Sony Innovation Fund, Polychain Capital, and Blockchain Capital participating, taking total funding past $120 million; it reports more than $10 billion in processed volume. Much of that momentum is in business-focused stablecoin infrastructure and cross-border payments rather than retail bitcoin.

For an individual buyer, that pivot has not closed the door: the retail app still supports buying, selling, and withdrawing bitcoin where local rules allow. Pricing is spread-based rather than a visible order-book fee, and product availability differs country by country, so check what is live in your market before counting on a specific feature.

Visit Yellow CardOpens yellowcard.io

Founded: 2016
Fees: Posted trading fees are low or zero; the cost sits in a spread built into the quoted buy and sell prices. Local deposits by bank transfer or mobile money are typically free.
KYC: Required
Payment methods: Local bank transfer, Airtel Money, MTN MoMo, Orange Money
Status: Operating

How you can pay on Yellow Card

Every deposit rail Yellow Card 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: Instant EFT Local bank transfer PesaLink
Mobile money: Airtel Money M-Pesa Mobile money Moov Money MTN MoMo MyZaka Orange Money Telecel Cash TNM Mpamba Wave

As published by Yellow Card: Local bank transfer, Mobile money.

Where Yellow Card offers each rail, country by country

Pros and cons

What works

Licensed or registered in 22 jurisdictions, unusual regulatory depth for African crypto
Local payment rails (bank transfer and mobile money) in more than 20 countries
Strongly capitalized: $40 million raised in August 2026 from backers including Standard Chartered's SC Ventures, over $120 million total
Operating at scale, with more than $10 billion in processed volume reported

What to watch

Company focus is shifting toward B2B stablecoin infrastructure, so the retail product gets less attention
Spread-based pricing is less transparent than an order book
Availability, assets, and features vary significantly from country to country

Fees in detail

spread note: Buy and sell quotes include a spread over the market rate; posted trading fees are low or zero.
deposit note: Local bank transfer and mobile money deposits are typically free.
withdrawal note: Bitcoin withdrawals pay a network fee; local currency payout options vary by country.

Every Yellow Card cost, by rail and by country

Where we recommend Yellow Card

Countries where Yellow Card 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 20 countries with rank, rails and legal status

Frequently asked questions

Which countries does Yellow Card serve?

It operates across more than 20 African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa, with licenses or registrations in 22 jurisdictions. Exact features vary by country.

How do I pay on Yellow Card?

Through local rails: bank transfer and mobile money in your local currency. Options vary by country.

Is Yellow Card licensed?

It holds licenses or registrations in 22 jurisdictions and has raised more than $120 million from investors including SC Ventures, Standard Chartered's ventures arm.

Is Yellow Card still for individuals?

Yes. The company is increasingly focused on business stablecoin infrastructure, but its retail app still supports buying, selling, and withdrawing bitcoin where local rules allow.