How to Buy USDC on VALR

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USDC is a digital dollar stablecoin that provides users with a less volatile asset to enter the crypto ecosystem with. This popular stablecoin, issued by Circle, maintains 1:1 value with the US dollar, meaning USDC is fully backed by cash and cash equivalents held in regulated financial institutions. This ensures a consistent $1 USD value, making it an attractive alternative to more volatile cryptocurrencies. Circle publishes monthly USDC attestations with the help of an independent accounting firm to provide transparency into USDC’s reserve backing.

Why buy USDC?

USDC offers a variety of practical uses ranging from fast, cost-effective payments to easy access to digital dollars in regions with unstable fiat currencies. Here's how it works:

Send: USDC facilitates near-instant, cost-efficient financial transfers in over 180 countries around the world. Since payment is completed over always-on blockchain networks, transactions can settle 24/7 — any day or time. In the case of international payments, instead of paying costly international wire transfer fees, you pay less costly blockchain “gas” fees to complete the transaction. While USDC payments are helpful for a variety of financial transactions, they are particularly beneficial for cross-border payments because of low costs and high transaction speeds.

Spend: Hundreds of merchants accept USDC as payment, allowing you to use it for everyday purchases. Some of the more well-known businesses that allow customers to pay with USDC include AMC Theaters, RoomsToGo, and PacSun. The Sacramento Kings even allow fans to purchase tickets and team merchandise with USDC.

Save: USDC provides people across the world with a seamless way to access and save digital dollars. You do not need a traditional bank account to benefit from dollar savings. All you need is an account with one of the many cryptocurrency exchanges that offer USDC or a crypto wallet.

Trade: Due to its stability and availability on over 100 crypto exchanges, USDC is commonly used to facilitate decentralized finance (DeFi) services like lending, borrowing, and trading. USDC is a viable option for casual, experienced, and institutional traders alike. In fact, USDC even plays a role in global capital markets.

What is VALR?

Launched in 2018, VALR is a cryptocurrency exchange based in South Africa that allows users to buy, sell, and trade 75+ crypto assets including USDC. In pursuit of a frictionless financial world, VALR aims to eliminate economic divides and advocate for unity within the global economy.

Key features of VALR:

Trading of 75+ digital assets: VALR supports various cryptocurrencies, including USDC, EURC, BTC, ETH, AVAX, and many more, allowing users to diversify their portfolios.
User-friendly interface: The platform is designed to be accessible, intuitive, and easy to navigate. Whether you’re a novice trader or an experienced one, VALR provides a seamless experience for trading digital assets.
Auto-buy: You can set your crypto investments on autopilot with this feature, providing a set-and-forget crypto investing experience.
VALR Pay: Allows you to send payments globally — in crypto or cash — instantly and without fees.
VALR Earn: A feature that allows users to earn rewards on assets they are holding.
Referral program: Incentives for users who refer new customers to the platform.

Trading services offered:

Spot trading: Users can buy and sell cryptocurrencies in real-time and at current market prices.
Futures trading: Users can speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset.
OTC trading desk: Trade in bulk across fiat and crypto assets.

VALR's mission is to make cryptocurrency accessible to everyone in South Africa and beyond, promoting financial inclusion and the adoption of digital assets.

Why buy USDC on VALR?

Based in South Africa, VALR offers a platform for buying USDC and other cryptocurrencies with a focus on the African market. Its commitment to providing access to crypto in the region makes VALR a valuable resource for local users.

Additionally, VALR offers a wide range of features and services that incentivize users to buy USDC on its platform. From rewards to versatile trading options to top-tier security of user accounts, VALR is an attractive platform to buy and hold USDC on.

Step-by-step guide to buying USDC on VALR

Sign up for or log into a VALR account: Visit the VALR website and click "Sign In” or “Get Started.” Provide your email address, create a secure password, and complete the identity verification process, which includes submitting your South African ID or passport. You may also download the application, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and log in or sign up from there. You will not be able to sign up for an account if your country is not supported.
Fund your VALR account: VALR supports deposits in South African Rand (ZAR) through bank transfers (EFT) and other local payment methods. Navigate to the "Wallets" tab and select "ZAR." Choose your preferred deposit method and follow the instructions to fund your account.
Buy USDC: Go to the "Buy/Sell" tab and select "USDC."
Enter purchase amount: Enter the amount of ZAR you want to spend on USDC or the amount of USDC you want to buy. If you choose to enter the amount of local currency instead of USDC, VALR will perform the conversion for you before you confirm the trade.
Choose an order type: VALR offers different order types, including "Instant Buy" for quick market orders and "Limit Order" to set a specific purchase price. Choose your preferred order type to move forward with your purchase.
Review and confirm: Review the order details, including the exchange rate, fees, and the final amount of USDC you will receive. Confirm the order to complete your USDC purchase. Once the transaction is processed, you’ll see USDC in your wallet.

Storing and using USDC on VALR

VALR provides a secure wallet to store your USDC after purchase. You can leave your USDC in your VALR account for convenient trading and management or withdraw it to an external wallet (like Phantom or MetaMask), for increased security and control over your assets. VALR may also integrate with DeFi protocols in the future, expanding the utility of your USDC holdings.

VALR fees and considerations

VALR uses a maker-taker fee model for USDC trades, with fees tiered based on your 30-day trading volume. Higher trading volumes result in lower fees. Deposit and withdrawal fees also apply and vary by method. Familiarize yourself with VALR's fee structure and consider your trading activity to optimize your costs.

Buying USDC on VALR

VALR offers a dedicated platform for South African users to easily purchase USDC and participate in the evolving crypto landscape. With its focus on the African market and commitment to providing a secure trading environment, VALR makes acquiring USDC a straightforward process for users in the region. Get started today by creating a VALR account.

Learn how to buy USDC on other leading digital asset platforms

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