
South African Crypto Exchange Comparison Tool
This tool compares key aspects of Artis Turba (closed), Luno (regulated), and Binance (global) for South African traders looking to trade with ZAR pairs.
Feature | Artis Turba (Closed 2022) |
Luno (SA Regulated) |
Binance (Global) |
---|---|---|---|
Fiat Deposit Methods | Wire transfer only | Bank transfer, debit card, credit card | Bank transfer, debit card, credit card, P2P |
KYC Speed | Up to 48 hours | Instant-to-few hours | Instant-to-few hours |
Liquidity (24-hr volume) | Very low, not publicly disclosed | Medium, $200M+ global | High, $30B+ global |
Supported Coins (major) | 13 (incl. ARTIS) | ~30+ | 500+ |
Regulatory Status | Unverified FIC claim | Licensed in South Africa, complies with local AML | Global AML, no SA licence but supports ZAR via P2P |
Mobile App | No | Yes (iOS & Android) | Yes (iOS & Android) |
Risk Level | High | Low | Medium |
Recommendation | Not recommended | Recommended | Good alternative |
- Regulatory Compliance: Luno offers a licensed platform compliant with South African regulations.
- Liquidity: Higher liquidity means better prices and less slippage for trades.
- Deposit Options: More flexible payment methods reduce friction for new users.
- Security: Luno uses cold storage and third-party security audits.
- Mobile Access: Having mobile apps allows trading anytime, anywhere.
Key Takeaway
For safe, regulated, and liquid ZAR-based crypto trading, Luno is the best choice for South African users, while Binance offers more options globally but lacks local licensing.
Quick Takeaways
- Artis Turba operated from 2018 to early 2022, targeting South African traders with ZAR pairs.
- The platform offered a basic buy‑sell interface, 48‑hour KYC, and wire‑transfer fiat deposits only.
- Low liquidity, minimal user base, and a reliance on the ARTIS token for fee rebates made sustainable growth difficult.
- Closure was announced in January2022; users had two weeks to withdraw funds.
- For South African traders today, Luno and Binance provide broader liquidity, more fiat options, and stronger regulatory compliance.
Artis Turba was a South African‑focused cryptocurrency exchange that ran from September2018 until January282022. Founded by Nigel and Nickey in Centurion, it marketed itself as an entry‑level platform for users who wanted to trade crypto against the South African Rand (ZAR).
What the Platform Offered
The exchange supported a limited roster of 13 coins, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), and its own ARTIS token. All pairs were quoted against ZAR, which set Artis Turba apart from global exchanges that mainly list USD or EUR pairs.
Key functional points:
- Simple ‘Buy’ and ‘Sell’ buttons - no advanced order types.
- Crypto withdrawals processed instantly on-chain.
- Fiat withdrawals made daily on business days via local bank wires.
- KYC documents reviewed within 48hours; no instant verification.
- No credit‑card or debit‑card fiat deposits - only wire transfers.
Regulatory Status and Security Claims
Artis Turba claimed registration with the South African Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC). Independent verification was never published, and the exchange never appeared on any official regulator’s whitelist. Security messaging highlighted cold‑storage for the majority of funds, but the lack of third‑party audits meant users could not confirm those claims.
Because the platform was centralized, user assets were held in custodial wallets controlled by the exchange. This model works when the operator has strong capital reserves; Artis Turba’s limited trading volume meant its reserve buffer was thin, increasing the risk of insolvency during market stress.

Fee Structure and the ARTIS Affiliate Reward Program
Trading fees were a flat 0.25% on both sides of a trade. The unique twist was the ARTIS Affiliate Reward Program (AARP). Holders of the native ARTIS token received 50% of the exchange’s trading‑fee revenue, distributed proportionally based on token holdings. While the idea sounded attractive, the actual fee pool was tiny due to low volume, so payouts were negligible.
User Experience - What Reviewers Said
Community feedback is scarce. The only publicly cited review on Cryptogeek gave Artis Turba a 4‑out‑of‑5 rating, praising its clean UI but noting the absence of mobile apps and limited support channels. No major forums (Reddit, Trustpilot) contain discussion threads, suggesting the user base never grew beyond a handful of hobby traders.
Why the Exchange Closed
Three intertwined factors led to the shutdown:
- Liquidity Gap: With daily trading volume far below industry benchmarks, price slippage was common, discouraging active traders.
- Revenue Shortfall: The AARP model depended on fee income; without volume, the platform could not cover operational costs.
- Regulatory Headwinds: South Africa’s crypto‑regulation remained ambiguous through 2020‑2022, prompting banks to tighten wire‑transfer services for crypto‑related accounts.
Founders Nigel and Nickey announced the closure via email on 13January2022, giving users until 28January2022 to withdraw remaining balances. After that date, the website went offline and the domain has not been renewed.

Where South African Traders Can Go Now
Below is a quick side‑by‑side look at three platforms that still support ZAR trading pairs and have larger ecosystems.
Feature | Artis Turba | Luno | Binance |
---|---|---|---|
Fiat Deposit Methods | Wire transfer only | Bank transfer, debit card, credit card | Bank transfer, debit card, credit card, P2P |
KYC Speed | Up to 48hours | Instant‑to‑fewhours | Instant‑to‑fewhours |
Liquidity (24‑hr volume) | Very low, not publicly disclosed | Medium, $200M+ global | High, $30B+ global |
Supported Coins (major) | 13 (incl. ARTIS) | ~30+ | 500+ |
Regulatory Status | Unverified FIC claim | Licensed in South Africa, complies with local AML | Global AML, no SA licence but supports ZAR via P2P |
Mobile App | No | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
How to Safeguard Funds After an Exchange Closure
If you ever find yourself on a platform that announces a shutdown, follow these steps:
- Withdraw Immediately: Transfer any remaining crypto to a personal wallet you control (hardware wallets are best).
- Document Communication: Keep screenshots of closure notices and withdrawal confirmations for potential legal recourse.
- Check for Unclaimed Balances: Some defunct exchanges open a brief claim period; monitor official channels for updates.
- Use Reputable Exchanges: Stick to platforms with clear regulatory standing, transparent fee structures, and robust customer support.
Final Verdict
Artis Turba serves as a cautionary tale about trying to run a niche crypto exchange without sufficient liquidity or regulatory clarity. Its simple UI appealed to beginners, but the lack of advanced features, limited deposit options, and an unsustainable token‑rebate model meant it couldn’t survive the competitive pressures of 2020‑2022. Today, South African traders are better off on Luno for a locally regulated experience or Binance for deeper liquidity and a richer feature set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any way to reopen Artis Turba?
No. The exchange permanently ceased operations on 28January2022 and the domain has not been renewed. There are no announced plans for a revival or acquisition.
Can I still claim ARTIST tokens?
The ARTIS token remains on the blockchain, but without an active platform it has virtually no utility or market value. You can hold it in a personal wallet, but there is no exchange‑based reward program.
What are the safest ZAR‑compatible exchanges?
Luno is the most widely regulated option for South African users, offering bank transfers, card deposits, and a mobile app. Binance also supports ZAR through P2P trading and has higher liquidity, though it operates without a local licence.
How fast is KYC on typical South African exchanges?
Most established platforms (Luno, Binance) verify ID within minutes to a few hours using automated document checks. Manual review can take up to 24hours in peak periods.
Should I use a hardware wallet for ZAR‑paired trading?
Yes. Storing crypto off‑exchange eliminates counterparty risk. You can still trade on an exchange, but keep only the amount you need for short‑term transactions and store the rest in a hardware wallet.
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November 22, 2024 AT 16:46Artis Turba's lack of liquidity was the single biggest flaw that led to its downfall.
The platform's limited trading pairs and wire‑only fiat deposits made it unattractive to active traders, forcing users to seek better pricing elsewhere.