South Africa has taken a major step forward in regulating the crypto industry: its Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has officially licensed 74 crypto firms under new national guidelines. This move places the country at the forefront of Bitcoin regulation in Africa, sending a strong signal to both investors and international regulators.
Since the start of 2025, crypto service providers in South Africa have been required to register and comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) standards. The FSCA confirmed that over 300 applications were submitted, with 74 already approved. The new framework is part of a broader push to provide regulatory clarity and protect consumers in the rapidly growing crypto space.
Industry experts believe this could encourage more institutional investment and set a precedent for neighboring countries. With a legal structure now in place, South Africa may soon become a regional hub for Bitcoin startups and infrastructure development.
“Regulation brings legitimacy. It’s a turning point for crypto in Africa,” said local fintech analyst Lindiwe Maseko.
