Bitcoin vs EFT: which is faster and cheaper for online orders?
Side by side: EFT and Bitcoin for paying online in South Africa — speed, cost, proof of payment and the 5% Bitcoin discount.
By the Living Water Labs team · Updated 3 October 2026
At a glance
- Discount: Bitcoin 5% off the goods; EFT none.
- Speed: Bitcoin usually confirms in 10–30 minutes, any day of the week; an EFT between different banks can take hours to clear, and longer over weekends.
- Proof of payment: Bitcoin needs none — the network confirmation is the receipt; EFT orders go faster if you send proof of payment.
- Fees: Bitcoin — your exchange or wallet charges a send fee; EFT — your bank's normal transfer fee.
- Where it works: any Bitcoin wallet or exchange worldwide; EFT needs a South African bank account.
When EFT is the better choice
If you do not already hold Bitcoin and only buy once, EFT is simpler: one transfer from your banking app. Bitcoin pays off when you already have it, or on larger orders where the discount outweighs the exchange fees.
Ready to pay with Bitcoin?
Fill your cart, choose Bitcoin at checkout and the discount applies automatically.