Luno Lists Zaru/usdt and Zaru/usdc Pairs with Fee Cut

In Short

• Luno has listed the ZARU/USDT and ZARU/USDC trading pairs.
• The exchange is offering reduced trading fees for 90 days after launch.
• The new pairs aim to make it easier to move between US dollar stablecoins and ZARU, a rand-backed stablecoin.

What Happened

Luno says it has added ZARU/USDT and ZARU/USDC markets to its platform. The listing was announced on 11 Aug 2026, and Luno published more details on 17 Aug 2026.

A “trading pair” is a market that lets you swap one asset for another, like exchanging dollars for rand at a bureau de change, but on an exchange order book. In this case, traders can swap ZARU against USDT and USDC.

USDT and USDC are stablecoins, which are crypto tokens designed to stay close to the value of the US dollar. ZARU is also a stablecoin, but it is designed to track the South African rand. Luno says the new pairs provide a regulated route between these assets.

Luno is also reducing launch fees for 90 days. Lower fees can encourage higher trading volume by making frequent trades cheaper.

Why It Matters

Stablecoin trading is growing across Africa because it can help people hold value in a more stable currency and move money across borders, especially when local currencies are volatile. But traders still need ways to enter and exit stablecoins safely and compliantly.

For South Africa-focused users, ZARU pairs can act like a bridge between USD-linked stablecoins and rand exposure without having to convert through multiple steps. That can reduce slippage, which is the small loss you get when prices move while you are swapping assets.

The fee reduction also makes it more attractive for market makers, which are traders that keep buy and sell orders available to improve liquidity. Better liquidity usually means tighter spreads and easier execution for everyday users.

If adoption grows, the ZARU markets could become a more common on-ramp and off-ramp for stablecoin activity tied to the rand, including trading, treasury management, and cross-border settlement.