Bitcoin News Today: MoneyBadger's Universal Translator Lets South Africans Spend Bitcoin at 650K Stores

South Africans can now use cryptocurrency at over 650,000 retail locations nationwide through a new integration between Bitcoin payments provider MoneyBadger and QR code payment platform Scan to Pay MoneyBadger Announces Partnership with Scan to Pay to Enable South Africans to Spend Bitcoin Effortlessly at Over 600,000 Merchant Locations^[1]. The collaboration enables users of major exchanges like Binance, Luno, and VALR to pay with Bitcoin (BTC), stablecoins, and other digital assets at participating merchants, with settlements processed in local currency (ZAR) South Africans Can Now Pay With Crypto at 650,000 Stores^[2]. This marks a significant expansion of crypto adoption in South Africa, where the market has seen a shift from holding Bitcoin as an investment to using it for everyday purchases Crypto HIts Checkout Counters in South Africa^[3].

The integration eliminates the need for users to convert their crypto holdings into fiat before making transactions. Instead, shoppers scan a QR code at checkout using the MoneyBadger app or partner wallets like Blink and Aqua. Payments are processed instantly via the Bitcoin Lightning Network, with merchants receiving funds in rands through existing banking channels MoneyBadger Announces Partnership with Scan to Pay to Enable South Africans to Spend Bitcoin Effortlessly at Over 600,000 Merchant Locations^[1]. This seamless process supports over 7 million Bitcoin Lightning users and aligns with growing demand for practical crypto utility South Africans Can Now Pay With Crypto at 650,000 Stores^[2].

Merchants benefit from the integration without requiring additional infrastructure changes. Scan to Pay's existing network of 650,000+ outlets-spanning retail chains like Shoprite, Checkers, and Engen-can now accept crypto payments without altering their point-of-sale systems Crypto HIts Checkout Counters in South Africa^[3]. Theo Koma, product owner at Scan to Pay, emphasized that the collaboration advances financial inclusion by enabling direct use of cryptocurrency holdings for daily transactions South Africans Can Now Pay With Crypto at 650,000 Stores^[2].

MoneyBadger CEO Carel van Wyk noted that the rollout reflects a broader market trend: "South Africans are increasingly moving from holding Bitcoin as an investment to using it for everyday spending," he said. The partnership expands the number of merchants accepting Bitcoin significantly, including major retailers like Cell C, Dis-Chem, and DSTV MoneyBadger Announces Partnership with Scan to Pay to Enable South Africans to Spend Bitcoin Effortlessly at Over 600,000 Merchant Locations^[1]. Van Wyk also highlighted the importance of fostering utility to drive adoption, referencing Bitcoin's original vision as a peer-to-peer electronic cash system South Africans Can Now Pay With Crypto at 650,000 Stores^[2].

The integration leverages MoneyBadger's universal translator app, which bridges legacy POS systems with Bitcoin payments via QR codes. This allows compatibility with major wallet providers and ensures flexibility for users to transact in any supported currency MoneyBadger Announces Partnership with Scan to Pay to Enable South Africans to Spend Bitcoin Effortlessly at Over 600,000 Merchant Locations^[1]. For example, a user can pay for groceries with Bitcoin while the merchant receives rands, mitigating exposure to crypto price volatility Crypto HIts Checkout Counters in South Africa^[3].

Luno, one of the participating exchanges, reported that its 30,000-merchant network is now linked to Scan to Pay's infrastructure, extending crypto acceptance to over 700,000 retail points South Africans Can Now Pay With Crypto at 650,000 Stores^[2]. This includes high-traffic locations like Makro, Vodacom, and Clicks, as well as online platforms. The system also supports cross-border payments through partners like Clicksendnow and Webtickets MoneyBadger Announces Partnership with Scan to Pay to Enable South Africans to Spend Bitcoin Effortlessly at Over 600,000 Merchant Locations^[1].

The rollout aligns with South Africa's growing crypto ecosystem, where adoption rates have increased by 19.4% in 2025 Cryptocurrency Adoption by Country Statistics 2025 • CoinLaw^[4]. However, regulatory and economic factors remain influential. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has established licensing frameworks for crypto platforms, while banks are gradually integrating digital asset services Crypto Trading Adoption and South Africa's Regulations - Mzansi^[5]. Despite these developments, challenges such as transaction speed and security persist Crypto Trading Adoption and South Africa's Regulations - Mzansi^[5].