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Kenya's VASP Act: where crypto licensing stands

A dated status check on Kenya's crypto law, the 2026 Regulations, the one-year deadline and the regulators' lists.

JN
by Reviewed by David Wachira 4 min read Updated 25 October 2026Verified 25 Oct 2026

As of 25 October 2026, no crypto exchange or wallet appears on a Kenyan regulator's list as licensed under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act. The Act has been in force since 4 November 2025, its Regulations since 22 July 2026, and businesses that were already operating have one year from the Act's start to comply, which runs to 4 November 2026.

The timeline, from official sources

DateWhat happenedSource
21 October 2025VASP Act, No. 20 of 2025, published in the Kenya Gazette (assented 15 October)Kenya Law
4 November 2025The Act comes into force. CBK and CMA are the regulators.Kenya Law, CBK
18 November 2025CBK and CMA: licensing will start once Regulations are issued; none licensed yetCBK public notice
22 July 2026VASP Regulations, Legal Notice 134 of 2026, published and in forceKenya Law
25 October 2026No virtual asset licence category on CMA's register; no VASP licensing notice on CBK's press releases pageOur check of both sites
4 November 2026One year from commencement: the end of the compliance period in section 47 for businesses already operatingAct, section 47

What the deadline means

Section 47 of the Act, headed transitional and saving provisions, reads: "Upon the commencement of this Act, any person providing virtual asset services shall, within one year of the commencement, comply with the provisions of this Act." The Act commenced on 4 November 2025. Neither CBK nor CMA had published a separate notice on this deadline when we checked.

What this means if you use crypto

  • As of 25 October 2026, no exchange or wallet was on either regulator's list. If a platform or an agent says it is "licensed by CBK" or "by CMA" for crypto, ask for the register entry.
  • Check the lists yourself. CMA's register is at licensees.cma.or.ke, and CBK posts notices on its press releases page.
  • Watch after 4 November 2026. We will update this page when either regulator publishes a licence or a statement on providers that have not complied.

For buying, selling and tax, start at the crypto hub. Each exchange page there carries the same dated licence status.

Frequently asked questions

Is any crypto exchange licensed in Kenya?

Not that we could find. On 25 October 2026 neither the Capital Markets Authority register nor the Central Bank of Kenya listed any provider holding a licence under the VASP Act. CBK and CMA said on 18 November 2025 that they had licensed none.

When did the VASP Act start?

The Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, No. 20 of 2025, was published in the Kenya Gazette on 21 October 2025 and came into force on 4 November 2025.

What is the deadline for existing crypto businesses?

Section 47 of the Act says anyone already providing virtual asset services must comply with the Act within one year of its commencement. The Act commenced on 4 November 2025, so that year runs to 4 November 2026.

Are the VASP Regulations out?

Yes. The Virtual Asset Service Providers Regulations, Legal Notice 134 of 2026, were published in the Kenya Gazette and took effect on 22 July 2026. CBK had said licensing would start once the Regulations were issued.

Is it illegal for me to buy crypto?

The Act regulates businesses that provide virtual asset services, not individuals who hold crypto. The risk for you is using a provider that has no Kenyan licence, so there is no Kenyan regulator to complain to if something goes wrong.

Sources

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