Kenya's Bitcoin Journey From Community Grants to ATM Kiosks

Kenya, 18 November 2025 - Days after the enactment of Kenya's new Virtual Assets Service Providers (VASP) Act, 2025, Bitcoin ATMs (BTMs) have been strategically deployed in prominent Nairobi retail hubs, signaling a bold push to integrate cryptocurrency services into the formal retail landscape.

You can now find orange Bitcoin ATMs in major shopping areas like Gigiri, Westlands, and Ngong Road.

These "Bankless Bitcoin" machines are basically special kiosks where people can easily swap cash for Bitcoin or turn Bitcoin back into cash.

They're installed in high-traffic spots, often right beside standard bank ATMs.

The New VASP Legislative Framework

The deployment is timed precisely with the commencement of the VASP Act, 2025, which took effect on 4 November 2025.

This legislation establishes the first comprehensive regulatory perimeter for digital assets in the country.

In a recent joint public notice, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) affirmed their joint authority over the sector.

The Act designates them as the co-regulators responsible for the licensing, supervision, and governance of all Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) operating within or from Kenya. The law mandates compliance, particularly in the critical areas of Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorism Financing (CFT), and proliferation financing prevention.

While the framework is in place, the authorities are still finalizing the operational specifications. The National Treasury is currently drafting detailed regulations necessary to fully implement the law. Licensing of VASPs, covering services such as exchanges, custodial wallets, and digital asset platforms, will commence only after these regulations are issued.

Crucially, the regulators issued a strict warning: No VASP has yet been formally licensed by the CBK or CMA under the new act, and any entity claiming approval is operating outside the new legal structure.