Five questions for... Marcus Swanepoel, CEO of Luno
Marcus Swanepoel created Luno, an exchange that aims to makes it safe and easy for people to buy, store and use cryptocurrencies.
What does your business do?
Luno is an exchange that aims to makes it safe and easy for people to buy, store and use cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin or ethereum. That is only the beginning though. In the long run we are helping the world make the transition to a new and better financial system.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Signing up our millionth customer in November last year (we are now close to double that number). Another has been launching in Europe, which means that people in more than 40 countries can now use our product.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Educating a wide range of stakeholders about the benefits and risks of cryptocurrencies this includes our customers, but also banks, regulators, governments and the media. There is a lot of misinformation out there and it's important to separate facts from fiction, and to differentiate between the different segments in our industry. For example, cryptocurrency, blockchain and initial coin offerings (ICOs) are all very different concepts.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
What are your plans for hitting your targets this year?
We are investing a lot in educating customers, as well as in easier "on-boarding" for our product. This will include faster, more convenient verification and funding, all supported by world-class customer service.
What's the one piece of advice you'd give fellow entrepreneurs?
It's an entrepreneurial clich, but it's true: persevere. All the hard work and sacrifice eventually pays off, so don't give up. And remember, it takes up to ten years to build a decent business, so don't expect overnight success.
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
MoneyWeek is written by a team of experienced and award-winning journalists, plus expert columnists. As well as daily digital news and features, MoneyWeek also publishes a weekly magazine, covering investing and personal finance. From share tips, pensions, gold to practical investment tips - we provide a round-up to help you make money and keep it.
-
Michelin Key Hotels 2025: the top destinations in the world
The Michelin Keys have been awarded to spectacular hotels across the world. From Marlon Brando's private resort in Polynesia to a Bvlgari hotel in Tokyo, we look at some of the most extraordinary stays in 2025
-
MoneyWeek news quiz: How much could you get in car finance compensation?
The car finance scandal, inheritance tax, and house prices all made headlines over the past few days. Test your knowledge while reviewing this week’s top stories with MoneyWeek’s news quiz