South African Bitcoin and crypto-payments company MoneyBadger has successfully closed a $400,000 (approx. R7.2 million) pre-seed funding round announced on July 15, securing vital capital to accelerate the rollout of its point-of-sale and QR-based payment infrastructure across key retail outlets, including Pick n Pay.
According to MyBroadband, the investment was led by local angel investors who recognise the company’s potential to redefine everyday financial transactions through blockchain. MoneyBadger enables merchants to accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies via its CryptoQR system, automatically settling in rand and providing users with low-latency access to a payment method comparable to tap‑to‑pay card transactions.
MoneyBadger’s platform, already integrated with Pick n Pay stores nationwide, supports seamless adoption of crypto payments at the checkout counter. With Lightning Network support, transactions settle in real time, offering merchants reliable payment delivery and low transaction costs. The system is optimised for non-technical users, featuring intuitive merchant dashboards and robust backend infrastructure to support scalable demand.
Designed to tackle South Africa’s fragmented financial landscape, MoneyBadger prioritises simplicity and utility. By providing a plug-and-play solution for informal sector merchants and large retail chains alike, the startup bridges the gap between crypto assets and everyday commerce. Its model extends access to blockchain payment rails in underbanked regions, offering a credible alternative to legacy banking and expensive remittance channels.
The move comes amid continent-wide experimentation with crypto payment systems, and the conflation of regulatory clarity with market demand. MoneyBadger’s ability to secure nearly R7.2 million signals growing investor confidence in blockchain-based payment innovation throughout Africa.
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