Luno, Sanlam, EasyEquities, and Lesaka launch rand-backed stablecoin ZARU
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – February 27, 2026 — Luno, Sanlam, EasyEquities, and Lesaka announced ZARU, an institutional-grade stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the South African Rand, to enable instant blockchain-based payments. The launch provides 24/7 settlements backed by audited Rand reserves, positioning South Africa to modernize its digital payment infrastructure amid rising stablecoin adoption across African markets.
Overview
ZARU launched on February 27, 2026, operating on blockchain infrastructure for around-the-clock transactions. Reserves comprise high-quality Rand-denominated assets including cash, bank deposits, and South African government bonds, managed by Sanlam Specialised Asset Management. Moore Johannesburg will conduct monthly reserve audits to ensure transparency and backing integrity. The stablecoin is initially available to qualified institutional investors via Luno and EasyEquities trading desks, with a phased retail rollout planned for later stages.
Announcement Specifics
ZARU launched on February 27, 2026, operating on blockchain infrastructure for around-the-clock transactions. Reserves comprise high-quality Rand-denominated assets including cash, bank deposits, and South African government bonds, managed by Sanlam Specialised Asset Management. Moore Johannesburg will conduct monthly reserve audits to ensure transparency and backing integrity. The stablecoin is initially available to qualified institutional investors via Luno and EasyEquities trading desks, with a phased retail rollout planned for later stages.
Stakeholder Perspectives
“ZARU is designed to make payments and transfers faster and cheaper while fully supported by secure reserves.”
— James Lanigan, CEO at Luno
Why it matters: The infrastructure bridges traditional finance and blockchain technology, reducing operational costs for institutional participants while maintaining regulatory compliance through audited reserves.
“We’re connecting traditional financial markets to the world of blockchain to enable cheaper, faster payments. This initiative has the potential to significantly contribute to financial inclusion.”
— Jacques le Roux, CEO at Sanlam Financial Markets
Why it matters: The stablecoin addresses banking hour limitations and transaction fees that have historically constrained access to financial services in South Africa.
Industry Context
Stablecoins are gaining significant traction across Africa for remittances and cross-border trade, with USD-pegged stablecoin volumes surging over 20x in recent years. Unlike global dollar-denominated alternatives, ZARU keeps value onshore within the South African financial system, supporting local monetary infrastructure and reducing dependency on foreign currency volatility. The launch eliminates traditional banking hour constraints and reduces settlement fees for institutional transactions.
Transaction volumes for ZARU remain undisclosed at this stage of the rollout.
Conclusion
ZARU establishes infrastructure for broader adoption of blockchain-based Rand payments, with next steps focused on expanding retail access and driving innovation in South Africa’s fintech ecosystem.
Sources: Fintech News, Bitcoin.com, Intellinews
