Discovery Bank Becomes First Major South African Bank to Offer Crypto Trading

Discovery Bank has partnered with crypto exchange Luno to integrate crypto asset trading directly into the bank’s mobile application.

Seamless Crypto Trading Embedded in Banking

Discovery Bank has collaborated with the crypto exchange Luno to integrate crypto asset trading into the bank’s mobile application. This move, which Discovery Bank CEO Hylton Kallner calls a response to crypto maturing into an accessible, mainstream asset class, makes it the first major South African financial services company to offer this service.

According to a Mybroadband report, starting in December 2025, Discovery Bank clients will be able to link their accounts to Luno to seamlessly trade crypto assets, including bitcoin and ethereum. The integration is said to deliver significant benefits focused on reducing friction and improving user experience.

Through the collaboration, users can track crypto balances and transactions in real-time alongside their traditional banking and investment accounts. Users will also be able to transfer funds instantly between their bank accounts and Luno wallets with no fees. In addition, the partnership provides users with the ability to trade in more than 50 crypto assets. Discovery Bank clients will also earn Vitality Money Savings points based on the crypto balances held in their Luno wallets.

A ‘Clear Signal’ to the Financial World

Kallner underscored the necessity of the integration, noting the widespread adoption in the country:

“The financial world is evolving fast, and crypto assets have matured to become an accessible, mainstream asset class. Our clients—and South Africans more generally—are already engaged in this market, with 1 in 10 people holding crypto assets.”

James Lanigan, CEO of Luno, echoed this sentiment, calling the solution a first-of-its-kind in Africa to integrate digital asset investments directly into a major mobile banking platform.

“This partnership is a clear signal that crypto has moved from a niche to a mainstream investment choice for those looking to diversify their investment portfolio with digital assets,” Lanigan stated.

The partnership leverages Luno’s security framework and experience serving over 15 million customers worldwide, ensuring the new offering complies with local South African regulations and provides the highest standards of safety and trust.

Broader Digital Platform Enhancements

Meanwhile, in addition to the Luno integration, Discovery Bank also announced the of TRUST Alert, a new anti-fraud system using real-time analysis and personal pattern data to provide intelligent risk warnings on transactions. It has also unveiled new rewards partnerships, including earning up to 50% back in Discovery Miles on DStv subscriptions.

The move firmly establishes Discovery Bank at the forefront of combining traditional financial services with digital assets in the region.

Read More: South African Exchange Luno Leverages Fireblocks’ Enterprise-Grade Digital Asset Platform

FAQ 💡

• What is Discovery Bank’s new crypto feature? It lets clients trade bitcoin, ethereum, and 50+ assets directly in the bank’s mobile app.
• When will the service launch in South Africa? Starting December 2025, users can link accounts to Luno for seamless crypto trading.
• What benefits do clients get from the integration? They can track balances, transfer funds instantly with no fees, and earn Vitality Money points.
• Why is this partnership significant regionally? It marks the first major South African bank to embed crypto trading into mainstream banking.