South African payment gateway Ozow has announced a new integration with cryptocurrency payments provider MoneyBadger, enabling merchants on its platform to accept crypto payments while continuing to receive settlements in South African rand.
The partnership allows customers to pay for goods and services using supported cryptocurrencies, while merchants are shielded from the volatility typically associated with digital assets.
Payments made in crypto are instantly converted, ensuring that businesses receive fiat currency directly into their bank accounts without holding or managing cryptocurrency themselves.
Ozow explained that the integration is designed to lower the barrier to crypto adoption for businesses that want to serve a growing base of digitally native and crypto-aware consumers. By maintaining fiat settlements, merchants can continue operating within their existing accounting, tax, and compliance frameworks.
MoneyBadger, which focuses on enabling real-world crypto payments, said the collaboration helps bridge the gap between traditional payment systems and decentralized finance. Consumers can now spend their digital assets in everyday transactions, while businesses benefit from a seamless payment experience that does not require technical knowledge of blockchain infrastructure.
The move reflects a broader shift within South Africa’s fintech sector, where payment providers are increasingly exploring practical use cases for cryptocurrency beyond speculation. Rather than positioning crypto as a replacement for traditional payments, integrations like this aim to complement existing systems and expand consumer choice.
Industry observers note that such partnerships could accelerate mainstream crypto adoption by focusing on usability and risk reduction.
By removing the need for merchants to directly interact with digital assets, payment gateways can help normalize crypto as a payment option without disrupting established business processes.
Ozow emphasized that the integration aligns with its broader strategy to improve payment flexibility and innovation across the region’s digital economy. As consumer interest in alternative payment methods continues to grow, the company sees crypto-enabled payments as a natural extension of its services.
