Cryptocurrency
Why South Africa May Leapfrog the World in Bitcoin Adoption: Interview With VALR CMO Ben Caselin
As the global crypto landscape matures, Africa is undoubtedly emerging as one of the hottest regions to watch – where regulatory clarity, grasroots adoption, and institutional interest are starting to covnerge.
Positioning itself at the centr of this transformation, VALR is a Johannesburg-based exchange that’s now leading the continent in terms of trading volumes.
In the following interview, Ben Caselin, the Chief Marketing Officer at VALR, as well as a veteran of crypto hubs such as Hong Kong and Dubai, shares his perspective on the state of Bitcoin adoption in underserved communities, the evolving role of decentralized finance, and why integrity as opposed to hype may be crypto’s biggest asset.
How would you characterize the current state of the cryptocurrency market in South Africa, and what unique challenges or opportunities does it present?
The South African market for crypto has come a long way and is well-positioned to see more growth in the coming years.
Crypto adoption, particularly around stablecoins and Bitcoin, is taking place at all levels of society. There are numerous projects driving the uptake of Bitcoin in townships and among communities who have for too long been excluded from the traditional financial system.
At the same time, we have seen pronounced institutional interest in crypto assets, from companies adding Bitcoin to their treasuries and remittance companies looking to leverage stablecoin infrastructure, to banks looking into expanding their services to accommodate for crypto.
With regulatory frameworks evolving globally, how is VALR navigating the changing regulatory landscape in South Africa and other markets where you’re expanding?
In South Africa, already for years, VALR has closely worked with the country’s regulator, the FSCA, and we maintain healthy communication channels. In my view, South Africa’s regulatory regime is among the world’s foremost, perhaps even better than those in places like Singapore or Hong Kong.
We do also have approval, through Poland, to offer crypto services in the European Union, but regulatory developments in Europe have been somewhat constrained. We continue to follow such developments closely. At the same time, we are exploring other licenses that can make it easier for VALR to pursue global expansion.
What trends are you observing around institutional adoption of crypto in South Africa and across the African continent?
In South Africa, especially since the FSCA’s licensing regime has come into effect, we have seen interest from a range of financial services providers looking to expand their offerings to their customers.
We are partnering with several remittance companies, where VALR provides the necessary infrastructure and liquidity and, similarly, we are closely working with some of the largest banks in Africa to assist them in expanding their services to include crypto as well. We are not yet in a position to give any more information, but we do expect to make announcements around these developments in the next few months.
I believe that within the next two to three years, we will see most major banks in Africa offer access to bitcoin and USD-pegged stablecoins to their customers, and all major remittance companies leverage crypto infrastructure to optimise for cross-border payments.
How does VALR approach the integration or support of decentralized finance (DeFi) within its ecosystem, and what role do you see DeFi playing in Africa’s financial future?
We hold the view that DeFi is here to stay, but also that from a user experience perspective, DeFi is not for everyone.
On VALR, we have recently launched ‘DeFi Lending’, making it very easy for customers to earn a yield on their stablecoins and tokens by lending out their assets on platforms like Aave, without actually having to leave the VALR platform at all. This is one of the ways in which we are working to make crypto accessible to more and more people from all walks of life.
What specific measures does VALR take to ensure the security of customer assets and data, particularly given the rise in cyber threats targeting exchanges?
VALR takes security very seriously. We have a strong and pro-active security team who monitors activities at all levels of operation. We also work with external security firms for regular penetration testing, and constantly tighten security based on evolving threats. Other than that, we don’t share details about the specific measures we take.
How do you balance innovation and compliance in a space that is constantly evolving and often ahead of regulation?
We strive to balance innovation and compliance through communication. We are law-abiding, we don’t go where we are not welcome, and we believe that being compliant is the surest way to protect customers over the long term.
We are also relatively conservative when it comes to token listings and leveraged trading and even our marketing spend is measured. We aim to establish VALR as a trusted financial institution that can be around for decades.
Perhaps most importantly, VALR is a values-driven organisation, which means that we never compromise on our values for the sake of profit. Instead, we believe that principles like truthfulness, integrity and service set us up for long-term growth and will guide us well into the future.
As VALR expands internationally, how do you plan to maintain trust, transparency, and alignment with local financial and legal standards across jurisdictions?
From day one, which is now over 7 years ago, VALR has upheld the highest standards of integrity – this makes it easier for us to obtain licenses as they become available around the world, since we are compliant by default.
In other words, unlike some of our competitors, we don’t go around breaking rules and then proceed to get our act together as regulation takes shape. Instead, forfeiting superficial growth we take a gradual approach to global expansion and prioritise doing so in a safe and sustainable manner. This has worked well for VALR and continues to be our approach into the future.
Disclaimer: The content shared in this interview is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, investment recommendation, or endorsement of any project, protocol, or asset. The cryptocurrency space involves risk and volatility. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions. This interview was conducted in cooperation with VALR, who generously shared their time and insights. The content has been reviewed and approved for publication in mutual understanding. Minor edits have been made for clarity and readability, while preserving the substance and tone of the original conversation.
Binance Free $600 (CryptoPotato Exclusive): Use this link to register a new account and receive $600 exclusive welcome offer on Binance (full details).
LIMITED OFFER for CryptoPotato readers at Bybit: Use this link to register and open a $500 FREE position on any coin!
[PRESS RELEASE – Dubai, UAE, June 13th, 2025]
Leading web3 investor DWF Ventures has published an analysis of Binance Alpha and Spot listings. It examines the performance of projects that have reached the exchange’s spot market following a token launch on Binance Alpha.
DWF Ventures has comprehensively analyzed the projects that have featured on Binance Alpha following the introduction of the listing mechanism in 2024. It highlights the increased transparency that Alpha brings by enabling users to appraise the merits of emerging tokens, some of which have the potential to migrate to a Binance Spot listing.
Research conducted by DWF Ventures has found that of the more than 190 projects to have been selected by Binance Alpha to date, more than 70% are currently trading at below $50M market cap, while a handful of outliers such as Ondo and Virtuals have surpassed $1B valuation.
DWF Ventures’ analysis also shows that memecoins and AI agents have dominated Binance Alpha projects with DeFi in third place. Memecoins and AI agents surpass all other onchain sectors featured in Binance Alpha combined. DWF further found that Solana was the most popular chain for featured projects, followed closely by BNB Chain and Ethereum.
Key findings from DWF Ventures’ Binance Alpha report include the fact that around 10% of Alpha projects converted to a Spot listing, with a total of 19 making the grade. DeFi and memecoins had the highest conversion rate, while the most valuable projects after Ondo and Virtuals were Maple Finance and Cookie DAO.
DWF Ventures summarizes its report by noting that projects that migrate from Alpha to Spot are typically defined by active social media engagement, high trading volume, and are category leaders in popular onchain verticals. The full DWF Ventures report can be read here.
About DWF Labs
DWF Labs is the new generation Web3 investor and market maker, one of the world’s largest high-frequency cryptocurrency trading entities, which trades spot and derivatives markets on over 60 top exchanges.
Learn more: https://www.dwf-labs.com/
Binance Free $600 (CryptoPotato Exclusive): Use this link to register a new account and receive $600 exclusive welcome offer on Binance (full details).
LIMITED OFFER for CryptoPotato readers at Bybit: Use this link to register and open a $500 FREE position on any coin!
Cryptocurrency
Roam Launches on Binance Alpha and Solana’s Meteora DEX, Expands Cross-Chain Access via BSC Integration
[PRESS RELEASE – Vancouver, Canada, June 13th, 2025]
Roam, the open wireless network powered by WiFi and eSIM technologies, today announced its official listing on Binance Alpha, alongside the launch of a liquidity pool on Meteora, the leading Solana-based DEX. This dual listing marks a significant step in Roam’s cross-chain expansion, boosting $ROAM token accessibility across both BNB Chain and Solana ecosystems.
Beginning June 13 at 13:00 UTC, eligible Binance users can participate in the ROAM Alpha campaign and claim rewards through Binance’s official event portal. Simultaneously, liquidity providers on Meteora can earn platform-specific incentives via Roam’s official LP pool.
Staking and Airdrop Rewards for General Users and Roam Miners
Roam is introducing a high-yield staking program offering an average 35% APY for general users. Meanwhile, Roam Miner users can access a dedicated staking pool with 500 $ROAM staking capacity per device, a guaranteed 100% APY, and monthly airdrops of 40 $ROAM per device for six consecutive months.
This reward structure is designed to align long-term community participation with Roam’s DePIN-based infrastructure and token economy.
Binance Alpha: Early Access to Curated Web3 Projects
Binance Alpha is Binance’s discovery platform for early-stage Web3 tokens, offering users curated access to high-potential projects. ROAM was selected based on its ecosystem growth, on-chain traction, and technical innovation.
With Alpha’s streamlined “Quick Buy” feature, users can purchase ROAM without adjusting slippage or navigating gas-intensive environments. Enhanced trade routing and MEV protection ensure security and efficiency. Participants can also earn Alpha Points by trading or holding ROAM, unlocking airdrops, and other future benefits.
Meteora Listing Enhances $ROAM Liquidity on Solana
Roam’s debut on Meteora—the dynamic liquidity protocol developed by the team behind Jupiter—brings sustainable market depth to $ROAM within the Solana DeFi ecosystem. Meteora’s DLMM architecture, AMM vaults, and liquidity aggregation reduce volatility and deliver optimized capital efficiency for LPs.
The integration strengthens Roam’s Solana presence while supporting long-term DeFi adoption and trading scalability.
BSC Integration Enables Cross-Chain Token Access via Roam App
To improve user accessibility and trading flexibility, Roam has enabled native cross-chain support via Wormhole’s NTT framework, allowing users to bridge ROAM between Solana and BNB Chain directly within the Roam App. The process is intuitive, requiring no third-party tools or external wallets.
This BSC integration introduces $ROAM to new users across Binance’s CEX and DeFi ecosystems while offering reduced transaction costs. Users can deposit directly from Binance accounts and access $ROAM on platforms such as PancakeSwap. The feature complements Binance Alpha’s zero-fee trading promotion (March 17–September 17, 2025), further reducing onboarding friction.
Building Real-World Adoption Through Decentralized Connectivity
Roam is expanding its presence as a decentralized infrastructure provider focused on enabling real-world connectivity. Backed by OpenRoaming and eSIM technologies, Roam has deployed over 10 million WiFi nodes, serving more than 2.8 million global users.
With the Roam App, users can connect to nearby Roam WiFi hotspots and earn Roam Points by contributing to the network—through adding WiFi nodes, completing WiFi Check-Ins, and participating in community-driven campaigns. These points can be converted into $ROAM tokens, creating a tangible bridge between user contributions and token utility.
Roam’s token model supports real yield through network growth, and its expanding ecosystem includes targeted advertising, Web3 travel integrations, and enterprise-grade eSIM services trusted by partners like Bybit and MEXC. The soon-to-launch Premium eSIM will integrate voice, SMS, and high-speed data, with users able to purchase service directly using $ROAM—strengthening utility across both consumer and enterprise use cases.
About Roam
Roam is focused on building a decentralized global open wireless network that provides seamless, secure connectivity for individuals and smart devices, whether stationary or mobile. Through a blockchain-based credential infrastructure, Roam has supported the adoption of WiFi OpenRoaming among small and medium-sized businesses.
As highlighted in Messari’s 2024 State of DePIN report, Roam is recognized as the fourth-largest DePIN project globally, with a network of over 2.1 million nodes spanning 200 countries and a user base of 2.4 million registered app users. The network also enables access to free eSIM data through participation in activities such as building and validating WiFi nodes, demonstrating Roam’s role in advancing adoption within the DePIN sector.
Users can contact Roam via:
Twitter: https://x.com/weRoamxyz
Telegram: https://t.me/WeRoamXYZ
For more information, users can visit the Roam App or follow official exchange announcements.
Binance Free $600 (CryptoPotato Exclusive): Use this link to register a new account and receive $600 exclusive welcome offer on Binance (full details).
LIMITED OFFER for CryptoPotato readers at Bybit: Use this link to register and open a $500 FREE position on any coin!
Sharplink Gaming has taken a major step into the crypto space by establishing an Ethereum Treasury Reserve and acquiring over $462 million worth of ETH. This move makes the company the largest public holder of ETH, second only to the Ethereum Foundation.
According to a press release, Sharplink purchased 176,270.69 ETH at an average price of $2,626, totaling approximately $462.9 million. The acquisition reflects a major shift in the firm’s strategy, placing Ethereum at the center of its digital asset reserves.
Sharplink’s ETH Funding Strategy
To fund the purchase, Sharplink raised $425 million through a private placement deal and another $79 million via an at-the-market (ATM) equity offering. The company used most of these proceeds to acquire ETH, highlighting its strong commitment to building a substantial crypto reserve.
As a result, Sharplink reported an 11.9% increase in ETH per share since June 2. It has also deployed over 95% of its ETH into staking and liquid staking protocols, contributing to Ethereum’s network security while generating passive yield.
Stock Dips Despite Ethereum Bet
Despite Sharplink’s bullish ETH announcement, its stock (SBET) experienced sharp volatility. According to Google Finance, the stock dropped 12.25% on Thursday to close at $32.50, then plunged to as low as $8 in after-hours trading.
However, by Friday, it had recovered slightly to $11.05, still down about 66% over 24 hours. Nonetheless, the stock remains up nearly 230% over the past month and 37% year-to-date.
Meanwhile, the steep drop came after Sharplink filed an S-3 registration with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing outlined a possible resale of 58.7 million shares issued during a previous private investment in public equity (PIPE) offering, involving more than 100 investors.
In turn, this triggered fears of dilution, prompting a wave of selling. In response, Sharplink Chairman Joseph Lubin clarified on X that the filing doesn’t reflect any current sales. He explained that it only registers shares in case past investors choose to sell later.
Binance Free $600 (CryptoPotato Exclusive): Use this link to register a new account and receive $600 exclusive welcome offer on Binance (full details).
LIMITED OFFER for CryptoPotato readers at Bybit: Use this link to register and open a $500 FREE position on any coin!
Forex3 years agoForex Today: the dollar is gaining strength amid gloomy sentiment at the start of the Fed’s week
- Forex3 years ago
Unbiased review of Pocket Option broker
- Forex3 years ago
Dollar to pound sterling exchange rate today: Pound plummeted to its lowest since 1985
- Forex3 years ago
How is the Australian dollar doing today?
- World3 years ago
Why are modern video games an art form?
- Cryptocurrency3 years ago
What happened in the crypto market – current events today
- Commodities3 years ago
Copper continues to fall in price on expectations of lower demand in China
- Economy3 years ago
Crude oil tankers double in price due to EU anti-Russian sanctions
