Kenya — crypto regulation

Status: partial · Last reviewed 2026-11-05

Major policy reversal from hostility to comprehensive regulation. The Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 took effect Nov 4, 2025, and its implementing VASP Regulations, 2026 (Legal Notice No. 134) were gazetted on Jul 22, 2026. CBK supervises payment-facing activity, wallets and stablecoin issuers (who may not pay interest to holders); CMA supervises exchanges, brokers and token platforms, with KES 100M minimum capital for exchanges. Existing operators had until Nov 4, 2026 to comply; no licences had been publicly announced by late Oct 2026.

Legislation