Loading article…
VALR introduced a new Borrow product allowing its 1.9 million users to access funds using crypto as collateral, maintaining asset ownership without credit
VALR, an African crypto exchange, launched "Borrow," a new product enabling its 1.9 million registered users and 1,900 corporate clients to obtain funds by using their crypto holdings as collateral [1]. This allows users to access liquidity without selling assets like Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH), maintaining exposure to potential price growth [1].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Product | VALR Borrow |
| Function | Crypto-backed loans |
| Collateral | BTC, ETH, other crypto assets [1] |
| Users | 1.9M individuals, 1,900 corporate clients [1] |
The Borrow product provides instant funding to a user's VALR account, which can then be traded, converted to fiat, withdrawn, or spent via VALR Pay [1]. The borrowing process is fully automated, with loan limits determined by the collateral's value and risk profile, bypassing traditional credit checks or paperwork [1]. Users have flexibility with no fixed repayment schedules or early settlement fees [1]. Badi Sudhakaran, VALR's Chief Product Officer, stated the goal is to provide quick access to funds without forcing users to sell their crypto [1].
VALR, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Johannesburg, is licensed by South Africa's FSCA and holds a provisional license from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority [1]. The exchange serves over 1.9 million registered users and 1,900 corporate and institutional clients globally [1].
The launch of Borrow follows other recent expansions of VALR's offerings. In July 2026, VALR introduced "Perps," a cross-asset perpetuals product that added over 200 markets, including global equities, commodities, precious metals, stock indices, forex pairs, and crypto assets [2]. This expansion was facilitated by an integration with Hyperliquid, a decentralized Layer-1 blockchain, marking the first time a regulated exchange natively integrated an on-chain Layer-1 protocol for cross-asset perpetuals [2]. Gianluca Sacco, VALR's Chief Operating Officer, noted that this integration provides access to deep on-chain liquidity [2].
Earlier, in January 2025, VALR launched a lending product that allows users to earn hourly interest on Bitcoin, stablecoins, and other crypto assets, as well as on South African Rand (ZAR) balances [3]. This feature was designed to offer flexibility and immediate yield opportunities, with Sacco highlighting its appeal for both crypto holders and those with ZAR balances [3]. These product launches collectively expand VALR's suite, which also includes spot and margin trading, staking, and OTC services [1, 2, 3].
VALR's new Borrow product aims to bridge long-term crypto asset ownership with immediate financial flexibility, reflecting a broader trend in the crypto market to offer more diverse financial tools to users [1].
Coverage is mostly measured — 157 of 166 reports stay neutral.
Every Monday — the token unlocks, Fed dates & catalysts set to move crypto and markets this week. So you’re never blindsided.
Free · 3-min read · one-click unsubscribe
AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 3 outlets · Aug 25, 2026 · How we report
Users deposit cryptocurrency to earn interest as lenders, or they lock their digital assets as collateral to borrow funds without selling their holdings.
It is a decentralized financial service that operates across multiple blockchain networks, allowing users to lend and borrow assets on different chains to increase accessibility and liquidity.
Some platforms operate as decentralized protocols without credit checks, while others, such as Nexo, may obtain specific authorizations to offer regulated credit services within local consumer credit frameworks.
Primary risks include market volatility, the potential for collateral liquidation, and the fact that funds deposited on these platforms are typically not insured.