Nedbank Partners with Crypto.com to drive blockchain-based financial innovation across Africa
Johannesburg – 5 March 2026
Partnership will Explore Payment, Settlement and Liquidity Solutions to Enhance Region’s Financial System Resilience
Nedbank is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Crypto.com, to harness the power of blockchain technology and digital assets for developing advanced payment, settlement, and liquidity solutions across Africa, subject to compliance with the necessary regulatory requirements. The collaboration positions Nedbank as a leading gateway for secure, regulated blockchain finance on the continent driving transparency and efficiency of cross-border transactions, signaling a significant shift in the region’s financial landscape.
As global trade and financial ecosystems evolve, Africa’s dependence on legacy payment rails has introduced challenges — including high settlement costs, currency volatility, and geopolitical exposure. Nedbank’s vision is to establish a compliant, blockchain-enabled payment infrastructure that enhances resilience while integrating seamlessly with traditional banking systems.
Through Crypto.com’s world-class digital asset platform and blockchain settlement technology, Nedbank aims to bridge traditional banking and digital finance — offering real-time, low-cost, and secure settlement options in both South African rand (ZAR) and on-chain U.S. dollars (USDC).
The initiative will enable Nedbank to serve both retail and commercial banking clients, addressing the growing demand for modern financial solutions. Whether for individuals, SMEs, or large corporates, the partnership will enable clients to:
- Seamlessly convert between ZAR and USDC in real time via secure digital channels.
- Access digital dollar liquidity for trade, remittance, and treasury operations.
- Benefit from daily net settlement between Nedbank and Crypto.com, ensuring stability, transparency, and regulatory oversight.
This collaboration will empower businesses to transact in digital dollars across Africa, facilitating trade, investment, and payment flows without reliance on traditional international intermediaries.
Subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements, the rollout will be implemented in phases, commencing with individual clients and extending to juristic entities over the next twelve months.
Nedbank’s strategy reflects a broader commitment to financial innovation and continental integration. By connecting banks, businesses, and regulated crypto asset service providers (CASPs) through blockchain, Nedbank aims to establish an African payment backbone that is:
- Fully compliant with domestic and cross-border regulatory frameworks.
- Interoperable with existing financial systems.
- Resilient to global payment disruptions and currency risks.
This initiative aligns with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) objectives and supports South Africa’s leadership role in digital financial transformation.
Simon Marland, Managing Executive for Automation, Blockchain and Analytics at Nedbank, said: “Africa’s future competitiveness depends on how effectively we integrate modern financial technologies into the heart of trade and commerce. By leveraging Crypto.com’s blockchain capabilities, Nedbank is building the foundation for a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready financial ecosystem — one where South African and African businesses can transact seamlessly and securely on a global scale.”
Karl Mohan, EVP, Financial Services and GM, International of Crypto.com, added: “Our collaboration with Nedbank underscores Crypto.com’s commitment to expanding financial access through blockchain innovation. Africa represents one of the most dynamic frontiers for digital finance, and by working with a trusted institution like Nedbank, we can jointly enable secure, compliant, and efficient access to digital assets for businesses and individuals alike.”
Herman de Kock, Managing Executive, Nedbank Mid Corporate, commented: “Nedbank understands that businesses require easy payment and trade capabilities both domestically and cross-border. By partnering with Crypto.com, we’re driving innovation that directly responds to our clients’ evolving needs, enabling them to achieve their growth ambitions.”
About Nedbank Group:
Nedbank Group is a bank holding company listed on the JSE Limited, with a market capitalisation of R127 billion as at 31 December 2025. Nedbank is one of Africa’s largest banking groups, with operations in South Africa, Namibia, Eswatini, Mozambique, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, and offshore in the Isle of Man and Jersey. It also has representative offices in other Africa countries, including Kenya, and has key global financial centres to provide international banking services for SA-based multinational and high-net-worth clients in London and Dubai. The group is a diversified financial services provider, offering a wide range of wholesale and retail banking and financial services. Nedbank has maintained its level 1 BBBEE status for the past 7 years and rates in the top quartile of local and international banks on ESG scores. group.nedbank.co.za
About Crypto.com
Founded in 2016, Crypto.com is trusted by millions of users worldwide and is the industry leader in regulatory compliance, security and privacy. Our vision is simple: Cryptocurrency in Every Wallet™. Crypto.com is committed to accelerating the adoption of cryptocurrency through innovation.
Learn more at https://crypto.com.
