FNB has launched a new Crypto Investing feature that lets customers buy digital assets from as little as R10. The bank has partnered with crypto exchange VALR to offer the service.
The feature is open to the bank’s nearly nine million retail customers. It works through the FNB share trading platform, which customers can reach in the FNB app.
Customers can buy bitcoin, ethereum, ripple, solana and Tether, a stablecoin linked to the US dollar. FNB said trading will be open around the clock.
“FNB customers will now have access and exposure to crypto assets, with the ability to trade a set of curated coins, as well as benefiting from the bank’s investment knowledge and experience,” said Sizwe Nxedlana, CEO of FNB and RMB Private Banking and Wealth Management.
The bank said the move is part of its goal to make investing open to more people. It said the service is meant to suit its wide range of clients.
Bheki Mkhize, CEO of FNB Wealth and Asset Management, said the bank decided to offer crypto because more clients were asking about it.
“Clients require a trusted platform, which FNB provides, this gives them access to alternative assets to help diversify their investments,” Mkhize said.
Crypto will be available on all of the bank’s existing share trading products. These are Share Saver, Share Builder, Share Investor and Share Zero.
Customers will pay for their crypto with money already in their FNB accounts. FNB said trading will stay inside its own system for security and to follow exchange control laws. This means customers cannot move crypto into or out of their FNB holdings.
Mkhize said crypto carries risks as well as possible benefits. He said the bank wants clients to understand what they are buying and how much prices can swing.
FNB said it will offer learning modules to help customers who are new to crypto understand the market. The bank said it also wants clients to have tools to manage their trading.
According to Moneyweb, FNB’s entry follows better crypto rules around the world and in South Africa. Crypto asset licences have also been issued to institutions.
FNB said large fund managers such as BlackRock, the world’s biggest asset manager, are now involved in the sector. The bank said this shows that blockchain is used for more than just coins like bitcoin.
FNB is not the first local bank to move into crypto. Discovery Bank partnered with exchange Luno in December 2025 to offer crypto trading in the Discovery banking app.
Discovery customers can link their Luno accounts to buy, hold and sell crypto such as bitcoin and ethereum. Discovery later made it possible to open a Luno account from inside its app.
Other banks have taken different routes. Nedbank announced a partnership with Crypto.com in March 2026 to build blockchain payment and settlement services, subject to regulatory approval.
Absa partnered with the company Ripple in October 2025 to keep digital assets safe for institutions. Standard Bank said it supports the rand-based ZARU stablecoin by holding its reserve funds.
Mkhize said FNB plans to grow its crypto service over time. “This is just a start. As time goes, we will broaden our crypto offering by providing more investment options and educational content,” he said.
Source: this article is based on reporting by Moneyweb. Image: Moneyweb. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Business desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Anelisa Nkuna covers business and money news for Tzaneen Voice. Anelisa reports on the rand, fuel prices, interest rates, jobs, Eskom, Transnet, farming and company results. The aim is simple: explain what the numbers mean for household budgets, small businesses and workers in South Africa.