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Luno is a technology company.
Luno operates a comprehensive digital asset platform, enabling individuals to securely buy, sell, store, and manage various cryptocurrencies. The company prioritizes robust security protocols, including multi-layered protection and transparent asset management, reinforced by regular proof of reserves, to maintain trust and safeguard user holdings within the evolving digital financial landscape.
Luno was co-founded in 2013 by Marcus Swanepoel and Timothy Stranex. Their collective vision arose from the recognition of a need for accessible and user-friendly cryptocurrency services, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional finance and the nascent digital asset space. This foundational insight propelled them to establish a platform that simplifies engagement with cryptocurrencies for a global audience.
Millions of users across diverse regions utilize Luno's platform for their cryptocurrency investments and transactions. The company's core mission is centered on building a more efficient and inclusive financial system for individuals worldwide. Luno strives to make digital finance universally accessible, transparent, and interconnected, shaping a future where digital assets are a cornerstone of global economic participation.
Luno has raised $13.8M across 3 funding rounds.
Key people at Luno.
Luno was founded in 2013 by Timothy Stranex (Cofounder) and Pieter Heyns (Co-founder & Head of Finance) and Marcus Swanepoel (Co-founder & CEO).
Luno has raised $13.8M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Luno was founded in 2013 by Timothy Stranex (Cofounder) and Pieter Heyns (Co-founder & Head of Finance) and Marcus Swanepoel (Co-founder & CEO).
Luno has raised $13.8M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Luno's investors include Balderton Capital, Digital Currency Group, Index Ventures, Lakestar, Erik Voorhees, Greg Kidd, AlphaCode.
Luno is a leading cryptocurrency exchange and wallet platform that enables users to securely buy, sell, store, and trade digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. It serves over 15 million customers across 40+ countries, focusing on individuals, professional traders, and institutions with products including the Luno Wallet for storage and payments, Luno Exchange for trading, and Luno Enterprise for APIs and merchant integration.[1][2][3] The platform solves key barriers to crypto adoption—such as complexity, security risks, and accessibility—by prioritizing simplicity, multi-layer security like multi-signature wallets and Proof of Reserves, and 24/7 support, while processing over $21 billion in volume to date.[2][3][4] Luno demonstrates strong growth momentum, expanding from 7 million to 15+ million users, scaling coin offerings by 200% via partnerships like Fireblocks, and maintaining high trading volumes amid global crypto demand.[1][2][4]
Founded in 2013 as BitX in South Africa under CEO Marcus Swanepoel, Luno rebranded in 2016 to reflect its global ambitions as a cryptocurrency exchange. The idea emerged from the need to make Bitcoin accessible in emerging markets like South Africa, where Swanepoel identified gaps in safe, local fiat-to-crypto on-ramps.[1] Early traction came from rapid expansion into Europe, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nigeria, and beyond, raising $13.8 million from investors including Balderton Capital, Digital Currency Group (which later acquired it), and Venturra Capital. Pivotal moments include growing to 400+ employees across offices in London, Cape Town, and Singapore, and hitting 9 million customers by serving underserved regions with financial inclusion-focused products.[1][2]
Luno rides the wave of cryptocurrency mainstreaming and financial inclusion, particularly in emerging markets where traditional banking lags, enabling millions to access Bitcoin amid rising global adoption post-2021 bull runs. Timing aligns with regulatory progress (licenses in France, Malaysia, Singapore) and infrastructure maturity like MPC wallets, positioning it ahead of fragmented competitors.[1][4] Market forces favoring Luno include crypto's shift to institutional-grade tools, demand for proof-of-reserves amid scandals like FTX, and fiat-crypto bridges that cut settlement times from days to minutes at lower costs. It influences the ecosystem by pioneering local liquidity rails, partnering for scalable custody (e.g., Fireblocks Network), and driving inclusion—processing billions in volume while educating users, thus lowering barriers for the next billion crypto participants.[2][3][4]
Luno is primed for accelerated growth as crypto integrates with traditional finance, potentially expanding assets, fiat pairs, and DeFi features while leveraging Digital Currency Group's network. Trends like tokenized real-world assets, AI-enhanced trading, and regulatory clarity (e.g., MiCA in Europe) will shape its path, with Fireblocks-style infra enabling instant global settlements. Its influence may evolve from emerging-market leader to full-stack financial hub, upgrading money systems as CEO Swanepoel envisioned—secure, simple, and inclusive for all.[1][3][4]
Key people at Luno.
Luno has raised $13.8M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $9.0M Series B in September 2017.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 11, 2021 | Root | $3.0M Seed | — | Paul Rutherford, FireID, Stuart Gast, M. Mikael Hajjar, Savannah Fund |
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2017 | $9.0M Series B | Balderton Capital | Digital Currency Group, Index Ventures, Lakestar, Erik Voorhees, Greg Kidd, AlphaCode |
| Dec 1, 2015 | $4.0M Series A | Digital Currency Group, Lakestar, Erik Voorhees, Greg Kidd | |
| Aug 1, 2014 | $800K Seed | Balderton Capital, Digital Currency Group, Lakestar, Erik Voorhees, Greg Kidd |
