ZAR Universal Network (ZARU) is a rand-backed South African stablecoin initiative created to enable faster, more efficient digital payments and settlement between participating financial institutions. The project forms part of a broader move to explore how blockchain technology can be used for real-world financial infrastructure.
It launched in February 2026 as a collaboration between Luno, Sanlam, EasyEquities, and Lesaka, bringing together established financial infrastructure and digital asset innovation.
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Have a look at the official announcement for a deeper overview of the initiative and the institutions involved.
How does ZARU work?
ZARU operates on the Solana blockchain, allowing for near-instant, 24/7 transactions without the limitations of traditional banking hours. While it may be traded internationally, the rand-denominated assets backing the stablecoin remain within South Africa’s financial system, supporting local markets while enabling global use.
How is ZARU backed?
Each ZARU coin issued is fully backed by high-quality liquid assets denominated in rand, such as cash, bank deposits, and South African government bonds. These reserves are managed by Sanlam Specialised Asset Management (Pty) Ltd with Standard Bank acting as banker.
Independent reserve audits are conducted monthly by Moore Johannesburg to ensure transparency and stability.
Interested in ZARU?
ZARU is available to buy and sell on Luno in South Africa.
If you represent a business or institution and you have a specific use case for ZARU, you can register your interest directly with the ZAR Universal Network.
Is ZARU the same as ZARSC?
No. ZARU and ZARSC are separate rand-backed stablecoin projects developed by different organisations. They are not affiliated with each other and may differ in design, governance, and intended use cases.
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Keen to explore ZAR Universal Network a bit more? You can learn about ZARU basics and get all the latest cryptocurrency news on Luno Discover.
Want to know how to buy, sell, send, or receive ZARU? We’ve got answers in the following help articles:
This information is not intended to be nor does it constitute financial, tax, legal, investment or other advice; nor is it a call to trade. The information is intended as general market commentary for information purposes only. Before making any decision or taking any action regarding your finances, you should consult a qualified Financial Advisor.