---
type: city
domain: crypto-regulation
status: stable
tags: ["crypto-regulation", "africa_east", "esaamlg", "legal"]
aliases: ["KE-NBI", "KEN-NBI"]
created: 2026-04-13
updated: 2026-04-02
compile_into: ["[[country--kenya]]"]
sources:
  - name: "Capital Markets Authority"
    url: "https://www.cma.or.ke"
    type: "official"
  - name: "Capital Markets Act + CMA draft regulations"
    url: "https://www.cma.or.ke"
    type: "framework"
---

# 🇰🇪 [[city--nairobi|Nairobi]] (KE-NBI) — Crypto Regulation

> Nairobi is East Africa's tech hub. Kenya Capital Markets Authority developing crypto framework. High mobile money adoption (M-PESA) facilitates crypto-fiat bridges.

## Overview

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Status | Legal |
| Sub-jurisdiction of | [[country--kenya|Kenya]] |
| Risk Score | 30/100 (Moderate Risk) |
| Enforcement Level | Moderate |
| Region | [[domain--africa|africa east]] |
| Currency | [[entity--kes|KES]] |

## Tax

| Type | Rate |
|------|------|
| Capital Gains (Personal) | 15% digital asset tax |
| Capital Gains (Corporate) | 30% CIT |
| VAT on Crypto | No |
| Mining Tax | No specific guidance |
| Staking Tax | No specific guidance |
| Airdrop Tax | No specific guidance |

No crypto-specific tax guidance available.

## Licensing

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Required | Yes |
| Regulator | [[entity--capital-markets-authority|Capital Markets Authority]] |
| Framework | Capital Markets Act + CMA draft regulations |
| Ease | N/A |
| Cost | N/A |
| Timeline | N/A months |

## AML / KYC

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| KYC Required | No |
| Travel Rule | No |
| FATF Member | No |
| FATF Status | non_compliant |

## DeFi

**Status:** Unclear

No specific DeFi regulation

## Stablecoins

**Status:** no_rules

No specific stablecoin framework

## NFTs

**Status:** no_rules

No specific NFT regulation

## Mining

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Legal | Yes |
| Electricity Cost | $0.13/kWh |
| Renewable Energy | 35% |
| Climate | tropical |
| Infrastructure | fair |

Kenya has legal crypto mining with moderate electricity costs and a significant share of renewable energy. Infrastructure is developing but not yet excellent.

## Geopolitics

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Stability | moderate |
| Sanctions | No |
| Corruption Index | 32/100 |
| Ease of Business | moderate |
| Internet Freedom | partly_free |
| Banking Access | moderate |

## Enforcement

Enforcement focused on unlicensed operators and consumer protection

## CBDC Status: exploring

---

*Data source: [Soken Crypto Legal Map](https://soken.io/crypto-map/). Last reviewed: 2026-04-13.*

**Sources:**
- [Capital Markets Authority](https://www.cma.or.ke)
- [Capital Markets Act + CMA draft regulations](https://www.cma.or.ke)