# VALR Launches Crypto-Backed Borrowing for 1.9M Users

**Published:** 2026-08-25T07:26:59.730Z  
**Topic:** Crypto Lending  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/5b7475b5-b229-4d1f-88b8-c60c3577eece

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] |

## Expanding VALR's Product Suite

The Borrow product provides instant funding to a user's VALR account, which can then be traded, converted to fiat, withdrawn, or spent via VALR Pay [1].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].

## Recent Product Developments

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].

## What to watch

*   **Collateral asset performance:** Monitor the price movements of major crypto assets like BTC and ETH, as loan limits and liquidation risks are tied to collateral value [1].
*   **User adoption rates:** Observe the uptake of the Borrow product among VALR's 1.9 million users and 1,900 corporate clients, which could indicate demand for crypto-backed liquidity solutions [1].
*   **Regulatory developments:** Track any further regulatory guidance from South Africa's FSCA or the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority regarding crypto lending and borrowing services [1].

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].

## Sources
1. Markets Insider — [VALR Launches 'Borrow': Users Can Now Access Extra Funds Without Selling Crypto](https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/valr-launches-borrow-users-can-now-access-extra-funds-without-selling-crypto-1036488933)
2. Binance — [VALR Launches 200+ Hyperliquid... | Chainwire on Binance Square](https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/340316918188833)
3. Cryptowisser — [Crypto Exchange VALR Launches Lending Product Offering Hourly...](https://www.cryptowisser.com/press-releases/crypto-exchange-valr-launches-lending-product-offering-hourly-yield-on-crypto-and-zar-balances/)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "VALR Launches Crypto-Backed Borrowing for 1.9M Users", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/5b7475b5-b229-4d1f-88b8-c60c3577eece