Bitcoin ATMs branded “Bankless Bitcoin” have been noticed inside busy purchasing facilities in Nairobi, together with Two Rivers Mall and retailers alongside Ngong Highway in Westlands.
In accordance with native studies, the orange machines now sit beside typical financial institution ATMs, providing fast cash-to-Bitcoin and promote choices to mall guests.
The presence of the kiosks has drawn consideration as a result of they arrived as Kenya’s new Digital Belongings Service Suppliers Act got here into drive on November 4, 2025.
Regulators Say No VASPs Licensed
A joint discover from the Central Financial institution of Kenya (CBK) and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) has careworn that neither company has but licensed any VASPs below the brand new legislation.
Based mostly on studies, the Nationwide Treasury remains to be writing the detailed guidelines that can begin the formal licensing course of.
Till these laws are launched, the regulators warned that any agency claiming it’s licensed is working outdoors the legislation.
Purchase Bitcoin in Kenya at Two Rivers Mall floor ground subsequent to Levi’s retailer, minimal buy quantity is ksh 1 the machine has been put in by @BanklessBitcoin and solely accepts on chain deposit and withdrawals from any pockets.https://t.co/dWBXPz8V7H pic.twitter.com/HFlG1lUEpb
— Bitcoin Nairobi (@btcnairobi) November 16, 2025
Grassroots Use Preceded Mall Machines
Outdoors the purchasing facilities, crypto use has already been examined in low-income areas. Studies have disclosed {that a} fintech group, AfriBit Africa, started trial funds in Bitcoin in Soweto West, part of Kibera, in 2022.
The challenge paid small grants after weekend clean-ups, and AfriBit says about $10,000 has been distributed thus far. About 200 individuals in that group now use Bitcoin for financial savings or funds, and a few native retailers and the so-called “boda boda” (border to frame) bike riders settle for it.
For individuals who usually lack ID or financial institution accounts, holding worth in Bitcoin has been described as a type of monetary freedom by challenge leaders, particularly for these residing on about one greenback a day.
ATMs Convey Fast Entry And Massive Questions
The kiosks make shopping for and promoting crypto so simple as utilizing a money machine. That comfort additionally brings instant considerations about their operators, the form of identification checks they use, and the way buyer funds are dealt with after every transaction.
These particulars will not be clear from the general public photos and early studies. Worth swings in Bitcoin imply somebody should purchase after which lose worth rapidly.
On the similar time, regulators have stated the legislation contains guidelines geared toward stopping cash laundering and terrorist financing, and it names CBK and CMA because the joint supervisors answerable for oversight.
Regulatory Steps And Shopper Protections
The VASP Act units out obligations for service suppliers as soon as licensing begins, together with measures to forestall illicit finance.
Based mostly on studies, the legislation seeks to steadiness client safety with room for brand spanking new providers to function below supervision.
The Treasury’s upcoming laws will decide how strict KYC necessities might be, what transaction limits would possibly apply, and the way oversight might be shared between the 2 businesses.
Featured picture from Capital Information, chart from TradingView
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