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Kenya: Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025 (Act No. 20 of 2025) including licensing requirement enters into force for existing providers

Policy overview

Description

Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025 (Act No. 20 of 2025) including licensing requirement enters into force for existing providers

On 4 November 2026, the one-year transitional period under section 48 of the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 (Act No. 20 of 2025) expires. From this date, all persons providing virtual asset services in or from Kenya must hold a valid lice…

Scope

Policy Area
Authorisation, registration and licensing
Policy Instrument
Operational license requirement
Regulated Economic Activity
digital payment provider (incl. cryptocurrencies)
Implementation Level
national
Government Branch
executive
Government Body
central government

Complete timeline of this policy change

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2025-01-09
under deliberation

On 9 January 2025, the Kenyan government announced its intention to introduce the Virtual Assets Se…

2025-04-04
under deliberation

On 4 April 2025, the Virtual Assets Service Providers Bill 2025 was introduced to the National Asse…

2025-10-15
adopted

On 15 October 2025, the President of Kenya signed the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 (Ac…

2025-11-04
in grace period

On 4 November 2025, the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 (Act No. 20 of 2025) Virtual Asse…

2026-11-04
in force

On 4 November 2026, the one-year transitional period under section 48 of the Virtual Asset Service …