The image features a digital Bitcoin symbol alongside the South Sudan flag, highlighting financial and geopolitical themes.
Kenya has introduced its first comprehensive crypto bill with the goal of regulating its digital assets market, one of Africa’s biggest. The Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill 2025 proposes a dual oversight system—splitting regulatory duties between the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA)—over crypto activities in the country. Under the system, the CBK would be responsible for wallet providers, stablecoin issuers, and crypto payment processors, while the CMA would maintain oversight over initial coin offerings (ICOs), exchanges, investment advisors, and digital asset managers, among others. The bill proposes fines of up to $155,000, potential jail terms, and blacklisting as punishment for non-compliance. If passed, the crypto bill will protect investors and curb fraud in the country’s fast-growing crypto industry.