Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right regulator and licence scope, and leads the file all the way to the decision, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Kenya.
Kenya now licenses crypto. The Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025 is in force, split between the Central Bank and the Capital Markets Authority by activity, with a hard transition deadline of 4 November 2026. East Africa's fintech leader has a real regime - and we build the file end to end.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Kenya in brief
East Africa's fintech leader, now licensed.
Kenya put crypto on a legal footing in 2025. The Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 was gazetted on 21 October 2025 and took effect on 4 November 2025, and the detailed regulations followed on 22 July 2026. It creates a proper licensing regime and splits supervision by activity: the Central Bank of Kenya oversees wallet and custody providers, payment processors and stablecoin issuers - the payment-like side - while the Capital Markets Authority takes exchanges, brokers, investment advisers, fund managers and tokenisation platforms. Firms already operating when the Act commenced have until 4 November 2026 to become licensed, and operating without a licence after that is a criminal offence, with heavy fines and possible imprisonment.
The market behind the law is the reason it matters. Kenya is the home of M-Pesa and one of the most mobile-money-native economies on earth, with deep crypto adoption to match - Nairobi is a genuine regional fintech hub. A VASP licence here gives lawful access to that market and a credible base for East Africa. Because the regime is new and the regulations are fresh, the two regulators are still bedding in their processes; we track them closely and build to the current standard. We prepare the file end to end, on the correct side of the CBK-CMA split.
Kenya now licenses crypto: the VASP Act 2025 took effect 4 Nov 2025, with regulations gazetted July 2026. Supervision splits between the CBK (payments side) and the CMA (markets side).
Existing operators have until 4 Nov 2026 to become licensed - unlicensed operation is then criminal. Behind the law: M-Pesa's home market and deep crypto adoption.
The regime
One Act, two regulators, by activity.
The VASP Act licenses crypto services and divides supervision between the CBK and the CMA. The first job is mapping your model to the right regulator; the second is building the file to its standard. We do both.
One Act, two regulators - the CBK for payment-like activity, the CMA for markets. We map your model first.
01 - CBK SIDE · PAYMENT-LIKE
Wallets, payments, stablecoins
The Central Bank licenses the payment-like activities: custodial wallet providers, virtual-asset payment processors and stablecoin issuers - anything that functions like a payment system or e-money.
The Central Bank licenses the payment-like activities: custodial wallet providers, virtual-asset payment processors and stablecoin issuers - anything that functions like a payment system or e-money.
- ✓Custodial wallet and safekeeping services
- ✓Virtual-asset payment processing
- ✓Stablecoin issuance and related activity
- ✓Payment-system-like functions
- ✓AML/CFT under the Act, with reporting
- ✓Central Bank of Kenya supervision
02 - CMA SIDE · MARKETS
M-Pesa's home marketExchanges, brokers, tokenisation
The Capital Markets Authority licenses the markets side: virtual-asset exchanges, digital-asset brokers, investment advisers, fund managers and tokenisation platforms - the trading and investment activities.
CMA side: exchanges, brokerage, advice, fund management, tokenisation - the trading and investment activities.
- ✓Virtual-asset exchange operation
- ✓Digital-asset brokerage
- ✓Investment advice and fund management
- ✓Tokenisation platforms
- ✓Market-conduct and disclosure duties
- ✓Capital Markets Authority supervision
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. The regulations are newly gazetted and capital and process detail are settling - we build to the current standard and say plainly what is still bedding in.
Why Kenya
A real market with a real, new rulebook.
The framework rests on the VASP Act 2025, supervised by the CBK and the CMA - inside the continent's most fintech-native economy.
✓
The mobile-money pioneer
Kenya invented modern mobile money with M-Pesa, and the population moves value digitally as a matter of habit. Crypto adoption sits on top of that - a genuine, deep market, not a speculative fringe.M-Pesa's home; value moves digitally by habit.
✓
A clear statutory regime
The VASP Act replaced ambiguity with a licensing law and gazetted regulations. You build against a statute and rules, not a guidance note - legal certainty that a new-but-defined regime provides.A licensing law and gazetted regulations.
✓
Sensible regulator split
Dividing payment-like activity to the CBK and markets activity to the CMA follows the substance of what firms do. Once your model is mapped correctly, the supervisory expectations are coherent.Payments to the CBK, markets to the CMA.
✓
Regional hub standing
Nairobi is East Africa's financial and technology centre. A Kenyan licence is a credible base for the wider region, where Kenyan institutions and talent already operate across borders.Nairobi - East Africa's fintech centre.
✓
Early-mover position
The regime is brand new, with a firm transition deadline. Firms that prepare now take an established seat before the market fills - and the deadline rewards those who move first.Prepare now; a firm deadline rewards it.
✓
A serious compliance bar
The Act carries real AML duties and criminal penalties for operating unlicensed. That raises the standard - and makes a properly licensed Kenyan VASP a credible, bankable counterparty.Real AML, criminal penalties - credible licensees.
How it compares
How Kenya differs from other routes.
Kenya is a fintech-native market with a fresh, dual-regulator licensing Act. The honest comparison is below - including that the rules are still settling.
Kenya vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Kenya | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory regime | VASP Act 2025 · CBK + CMA | Single regulators or registration |
| Maturity | New law, rules settling | Varies |
| Market | Mobile-money native, deep adoption | Ranges widely |
| Corporate tax | 30% | Ranges widely |
Regulatory regime
KenyaVASP Act 2025 · CBK + CMA
Other jurisdictionsSingle regulators or registration
Maturity
KenyaNew law, rules settling
Other jurisdictionsVaries
Market
KenyaMobile-money native, deep adoption
Other jurisdictionsRanges widely
Corporate tax
Kenya30%
Other jurisdictionsRanges widely
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | VASP Act licence (CBK/CMA) | 30% corporate | New regime, deadline Nov 2026 |
 Nigeria | VASP registration (SEC) | 30% corporate | SEC-supervised, capitalised |
 Ghana | VASP Act 2025 (BoG/SEC) | 25% corporate | New regime, phased licensing |
 South Africa | CASP under FAIS (FSCA) | 27% corporate | Licensed, established |
KenyaLicense typeVASP Act licence (CBK/CMA)
Taxation30% corporate
RequirementsNew regime, deadline Nov 2026
NigeriaLicense typeVASP registration (SEC)
Taxation30% corporate
RequirementsSEC-supervised, capitalised
GhanaLicense typeVASP Act 2025 (BoG/SEC)
Taxation25% corporate
RequirementsNew regime, phased licensing
South AfricaLicense typeCASP under FAIS (FSCA)
Taxation27% corporate
RequirementsLicensed, established
Before you apply
Requirements for the VASP licence.Requirements for the VASP licence.
The Act sets the frame and the July 2026 regulations fill in the detail. The checklist below is what a serious licence file is built around - we confirm each item against the current rules and the correct regulator.
01
Kenyan entity - a locally incorporated company with genuine presence and management in Kenya.
02
Correct regulator - the model mapped to the CBK (payment-like) or the CMA (markets) side of the split.
03
Fit & proper management - competent, clean-record directors and officers to the regulator's standard.
04
Minimum capital - as set by the VASP regulations for your activity; scoped to your services.
05
AML/CFT framework - KYC, EDD, monitoring and reporting under the Act and Kenya's AML law, with a named officer.
06
Custody and safeguarding - segregation of client assets, custody policy and key-management design.
07
Governance - ownership disclosed to UBOs, conflicts, complaints and consumer-protection procedures.
08
Systems and security - resilient technology and record-keeping the regulator can inspect.
09
Business plan - services, target markets, volumes and financials the regulator can interrogate.
10
Transition compliance - existing operators brought within the licence before 4 November 2026.
11
Wind-down plan - credible and documented.
01
Kenyan company with genuine local presence.
02
Correct regulator - CBK or CMA by activity.
03
Fit & proper directors and officers.
04
Minimum capital - by the VASP regulations.
05
AML/CFT with a named officer, reporting.
06
Custody and safeguarding of client assets.
07
Ownership disclosed to UBOs.
08
Resilient systems and record-keeping.
09
Business plan the regulator can test.
10
Transition before 4 Nov 2026.
11
Credible wind-down plan.
Reflects the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025 and the regulations gazetted 22 July 2026, as of 2026. Operating without a licence after 4 November 2026 is a criminal offence under Kenyan law.VASP Act 2025 + regulations (22 July 2026), as of 2026. Unlicensed operation criminal after Nov 2026.
How it works
From first call to the VASP licence.
01
Mapping and strategy
We map your services to the CBK or CMA side of the Act and fix scope, capital and timeline in writing against the current regulations.CBK or CMA side; scope and capital in writing.
02
Kenyan company and substance
Local incorporation, registered office, directors and the governance layer - the presence the regulator assesses behind the file.Local incorporation, office, directors.
03
The licence file
AML/CFT framework, custody and systems documentation, business plan and capital - assembled to the regulator's standard.AML, custody, plan, capital - regulator-grade.
04
Regulator review
The application and question rounds with the CBK or CMA - with the November 2026 transition managed for existing operators so continuity holds.Application and question rounds; transition managed.
05
Licence and operations
The VASP licence granted and the business live under the Act, with ongoing AML and reporting duties we can keep running.Licence granted; ongoing duties we can run.
Quick facts
RegulatorsCBK · CMA
FrameworkVASP Act 2025
In force4 November 2025
RegulationsGazetted 22 July 2026
Transition deadline4 November 2026
Unlicensed operationCriminal offence
Corporate tax30%
SubstanceKenyan company + presence
The regulations are fresh and the two regulators are bedding in - we build to the current standard and are candid about what is still settling.
On the ground in Kenya
Run from our Dubai office, with Kenyan counsel.
Prifinance - Kenya desk
Nairobi · Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya
01
Kenyan incorporation
Local company formation and the corporate layer the VASP Act expects - structured for the licence application and the right regulator.Local company for the licence application.
02
The regulator split
Your model mapped to the CBK or the CMA side - so the whole file is built to the correct supervisor's standard from the start.Model mapped to the CBK or CMA side.
03
The licence file
AML/CFT framework, custody and systems documentation, business plan and capital - drafted by us and built to the current regulations.AML, custody, plan, capital - to standard.
04
Transition management
For existing operators, the business brought within the licence before the 4 November 2026 deadline - gaps closed before they cost you continuity.Within the licence before the deadline.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of crypto companies in Kenya.
Company profits carry Kenya's 30% corporate rate. Crypto-specific tax has featured in recent budget debates, so we build on the current position and track the changes closely.
30% corporate rate
Resident companies are taxed at 30% on profits. A developed-market rate for the region, with ordinary deductions - straightforward to model for the licensed business.Resident-company rate; ordinary deductions.
Crypto levies in flux
Kenya has debated crypto-specific taxes, including a transaction-style levy, through recent budgets. The exact position moves, so we build on what is current and flag clearly what is proposed.Budget-cycle proposals - built on current.
VAT on services
Kenya's VAT applies to supplies of services in the usual way; how it maps onto crypto fee income is part of the settling picture. We plan for it rather than assume an exemption.Planned for, not assumed away.
Withholding on cross-border flows
Payments abroad can attract withholding under Kenyan rules and its treaties. We structure flows so the tax outcome is deliberate for a business with international counterparties.Flows structured deliberately.
A digital tax authority
The Kenya Revenue Authority runs increasingly digital systems with clear filing. Positions are researchable, which helps as crypto tax practice settles under the new licensing regime.KRA - researchable positions.
Records serve both
The AML and licence record-keeping the Act requires also underpins the tax position - regulator-grade books double as tax-office-grade books.Regulator-grade books serve tax too.
Tax summary
Corporate income tax30%
Crypto-specific leviesIn flux
VATService-specific
Cross-border flowsWithholding may apply
CurrencyKES
Crypto tax practiceSettling under new Act
*As of 2026. Crypto-specific tax proposals move through Kenya's budget cycle - we model on the current position and track changes.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: Kenyan company, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a live, licensed business.
Follow Prifinance
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Kenya · CBK / CMA
Launch your crypto project in Kenya with expert support.
Full-service assistance - from company registration to the VASP licence with the correct regulator.
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Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which regulator, licence scope, or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Kenya crypto licence, answered.
Does Kenya license crypto now?+
Yes. The Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025 took effect on 4 November 2025, and the detailed regulations were gazetted on 22 July 2026. It is a full licensing regime, supervised jointly by the Central Bank and the Capital Markets Authority.
Which regulator will license me?+
It depends on your activity. The CBK covers payment-like services - custodial wallets, payment processing and stablecoin issuance - while the CMA covers markets activity - exchanges, brokerage, advice, fund management and tokenisation. We map your model first.
What is the transition deadline?+
Firms operating when the Act commenced have until 4 November 2026 to become licensed. After that, operating without a licence is a criminal offence, carrying heavy fines and possible imprisonment - so preparation now protects continuity.
How much capital is required?+
The VASP regulations set the capital and process detail by activity, gazetted in July 2026. We scope your capital against the current rules rather than guess, and say plainly where detail is still bedding in.
What substance does the regulator expect?+
A Kenyan company with genuine local presence and management: competent, fit-and-proper directors, a compliance function on the ground, real systems and proper custody. Nameplate setups do not pass a serious review.
Why Kenya?+
It is Africa's most fintech-native market - the home of M-Pesa - with deep crypto adoption and a fresh, clear licensing regime. Moving early takes an established seat, and Nairobi is a credible base for the wider region.
How are crypto companies taxed?+
A 30% corporate rate on company profits. Crypto-specific levies have featured in recent budget debates and can move, so we model on the current position and track proposals. VAT and cross-border withholding are planned into the structure.
Is the market real?+
Very. Kenya invented modern mobile money and moves value digitally by habit, with crypto adoption to match. A licensed VASP gets lawful access to a genuine, deep market, not a speculative fringe.
Does Kenya license crypto?+
Yes - VASP Act 2025, in force since 4 Nov 2025.
Which regulator?+
CBK for payments-like; CMA for markets - by activity.
Transition deadline?+
4 Nov 2026; unlicensed operation then criminal.
Capital?+
Set by the VASP regulations (July 2026).
Substance?+
Kenyan company, real presence and compliance.
Why Kenya?+
M-Pesa's market, deep adoption, fresh licence.
Company taxes?+
30% corporate; crypto levies in flux.
Real market?+
Very - mobile-money native, deep adoption.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
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Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Central Bank of Kenya, the Capital Markets Authority or any other public authority. Licences are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.