Paying with Bitcoin is now easier at Pick n Pay

VALR and Luno have partnered with CryptoConvert to support Bitcoin payments from their apps at all Pick n Pay tills across South Africa in one easy step by simply scanning a QR code.

This comes after CryptoConvert announced in February that its CryptoQR platform was active at all of Pick n Pay’s 1,500+ stores in South Africa – including PnP Express and Pick n Pay Clothing.

Shoppers can also buy airtime, electricity, flight and bus tickets, and pay municipal bills with Bitcoin at the till.

CryptoConvert is a safe and simple crypto payment platform that focuses on direct payment solutions instead of voucher-based approaches, said VALR. It operates online and at till points.

CryptoQR support is already available in VALR and Luno’s Android app, with iOS being rolled out soon.

VALR added that iOS users can use VALR Pay at Pick n Pay by downloading the CryptoQR app and setting their default wallet to VALR Pay.

“When we developed VALR Pay, our vision was to first create free, fast and easy peer-to-peer payments and then to facilitate payment acceptance at merchants,” said VALR co-founder and CEO Farzam Ehsani.

Luno’s country manager for South Africa, Christo de Wit, also explained that Luno customers will be able to simply open their Luno app and scan a QR code at the till to pay in Bitcoin. There is no additional fee to use this service.

“The declaration of cryptocurrency as a financial product by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority paves the way for greater adoption in South Africa. Pick n Pay is to be applauded for being an early adopter merchant and getting to grips with cryptocurrencies,” said De Wit.

CryptoConvert founder Carel van Wyk, who also co-founded Luno, said, “As the pioneer in crypto payments in South Africa, we are thrilled to partner with Luno, an established and trusted crypto app, to ensure that customers have access to a growing network of retailers and merchants who accept crypto payments.”

He added that the partnership with VALR would also help them make crypto payments available to a much larger audience than before.

“Cryptocurrency is founded on the idea of open standards and collaborative innovation. VALR’s commitment to providing useful tools and infrastructure to the industry exemplifies that, to the benefit of everyone,” said van Wyk.

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