{"id":15207,"date":"2025-11-13T15:59:56","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T13:59:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jhb-webdevelopers\/channelafrica\/news\/sas-discovery-bank-unveils-new-digital-features-first-in-africa-crypto-trading-integration\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T16:27:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T14:27:31","slug":"sas-discovery-bank-unveils-new-digital-features-first-in-africa-crypto-trading-integration","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/news\/sas-discovery-bank-unveils-new-digital-features-first-in-africa-crypto-trading-integration\/","title":{"rendered":"SA&#8217;s Discovery Bank unveils new digital features, first-in-Africa crypto trading integration"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">These include a first-of-its-kind crypto trading integration in Africa, real-time artificial intelligence <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">artificial intelligence<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> (AI)-powered fraud alerts, and expanded earning opportunities for clients through its Discovery Miles+ Network.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The updates, unveiled on Thursday, are designed to enhance financial wellbeing, digital security, and customer experience. They build on earlier improvements introduced this year across financial planning, security, and intelligent digital banking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Among the major additions are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Crypto trading directly in the Discovery Bank app, in partnership with Luno, offering access to more than 50 crypto assets from December 2025.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">TRUST Alert is an AI-driven transaction monitoring system providing real-time risk assessments and security warnings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Instant Discovery Insure car insurance quotes and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">activation<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> within the banking app.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">New partnerships with MultiChoice (DStv) and Admyt, alongside expanded ways to earn Discovery Miles.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hylton Kallner, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Discovery Bank, said the new crypto trading functionality represents a milestone for financial innovation in SA.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cThe financial world is evolving fast, and crypto assets have matured to become an accessible, mainstream asset class. We\u2019re thrilled to be the first mobile bank in Africa to partner with Luno, giving our clients the ability to buy, hold and sell crypto assets directly through the Discovery Bank app,\u201d Kallner said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The integration allows clients to link their Luno accounts, track balances and transactions in real time, and trade seamlessly within the app, with no transfer fees. Clients will also earn Vitality Money Savings points for maintaining crypto balances in their Luno wallets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">James Lanigan, CEO of Luno, said the partnership underscores the growing mainstream adoption of digital assets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cThis is a first-of-its-kind solution in Africa, integrating digital-asset investing directly into a major mobile banking platform. It\u2019s a clear signal that crypto has moved from a niche to a mainstream investment choice,\u201d Lanigan said.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The TRUST Alert system also enhances Discovery Bank\u2019s layered security approach. Using AI and behavioural analytics, it evaluates every transaction in real time and issues alerts when potential fraud risks are detected, allowing users to verify and manage suspicious activity before proceeding.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kallner added that the upgraded Discovery Bank app now serves as a unified digital platform for all Discovery products, offering clients a \u201cseamless, intelligent and secure\u201d experience across banking, insurance, and rewards.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">&#8211;ChannelAfrica&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":15208,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"news-type":[44],"class_list":["post-15207","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-type-finance","entry"],"acf":{"short_description":"South Africa's (SA) Discovery Bank has announced a series of new digital banking features and partnerships. ","published_date":null,"news_description":"South Africa's (SA) Discovery Bank has announced a series of new digital banking features and partnerships. 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