How to Apply for a VASP Licence in Kenya
A step-by-step guide from classification through to post-licence obligations.
Read insight →Fintech, Crypto & Technology Law
Kenya VASP Licensing & Compliance Resource Centre
The Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 and the 2026 Regulations now govern exchanges, wallets, payment processors, brokers, advisers, managers, tokenisation platforms and stablecoin issuers operating in or from Kenya. This hub organises our guidance by the question you actually need answered.
Existing virtual asset business in Kenya?
The transitional period for operators already providing virtual asset services when the Act commenced closes on 4 November 2026. See our transition deadline guide, or speak to us directly.
Request a transition readiness reviewStart here
Application & jurisdiction
CBK vs CMA: Which Regulator Licenses You?
How Kenya's dual-regulator model splits jurisdiction by activity.
Read insight →VASP Licence Application Documents Checklist
The corporate, governance, financial and policy documents your file needs.
Read insight →Licensing Costs, Fees & Capital Requirements
How to budget for fees, capital and professional costs, using the final 2026 figures.
Read insight →The 4 November 2026 Transition Deadline
What existing operators, new entrants and offshore platforms should each do.
Read insight →Offshore Platforms Serving Kenyan Customers
How the "in or from Kenya" jurisdictional test applies without a local presence.
Read insight →By business model
Licence category guides
Crypto Exchange Licence in Kenya
Market integrity, custody and systems obligations for trading venues.
Read insight →Wallet Provider Licensing in Kenya
Custodial vs non-custodial models and where the regulatory line sits.
Read insight →Payment Processor & Fiat/Crypto Gateway Licensing
Transaction flow mapping and CBK payment-system overlap.
Read insight →Real-World Asset Tokenisation & VASP Licensing
Issuer, platform and underlying-asset roles, and why title still matters.
Read insight →ICO & Virtual Asset Offering Regulation
Disclosure, escrow and governance expectations for token launches.
Read insight →Stablecoin Regulation & Licensing
Reserve backing, custody and redemption requirements for issuers.
Read insight →Broker vs Adviser vs Asset Manager
Three distinct intermediary categories, compared side by side.
Read insight →Ongoing compliance
Governance & AML/CFT
Kenya VASP AML/CFT/CPF Compliance Checklist
Risk assessment, KYC/CDD, sanctions screening, monitoring and reporting.
Read insight →Board Governance & Fit-and-Proper Requirements
How directors, senior officers and beneficial owners are assessed.
Read insight →Customer Asset Segregation & Custody Rules
How segregation, records and incident planning protect customer assets.
Read insight →Cybersecurity, Technology Controls & Systems Audits
Technology governance, access control and incident response expectations.
Read insight →International & structuring
Corporate structuring & readiness tools
Setting Up a Kenyan Company for a VASP Licence
Incorporation, ownership and governance structuring for applicants.
Read insight →Capital Raising via Digital Assets: A Founder's Guide
The CMA regulatory sandbox, SAFTs, SPVs and AML compliance.
Read insight →Kenya VASP Licensing Readiness Checklist 2026
A practical pre-application audit you can print and work through with your team.
Read insight →Why this framework matters now
The Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 (Act No. 20 of 2025) commenced on 4 November 2025, and the implementing Virtual Asset Service Providers Regulations, 2026 (Legal Notice No. 134 of 2026) were gazetted on 22 July 2026. Kenya has moved from an unregulated market to a defined licensing and supervisory regime administered jointly by the Central Bank of Kenya and the Capital Markets Authority. For businesses already operating, or planning to operate, in this space, the question is no longer whether regulation applies. It is which licence category fits, which regulator has jurisdiction, and what a compliant application requires.
How to use this hub
Each guide above addresses a distinct, practical question, from initial classification through to category-specific requirements and ongoing compliance. For advice tailored to your specific business model, timeline and structure, our VASP Licensing & Regulatory Compliance service covers classification, application preparation and regulator engagement end to end.
The information on this website is general in nature, is not legal advice, and does not create an advocate-client relationship. Figures, fees, capital thresholds and procedural requirements under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 and the Virtual Asset Service Providers Regulations, 2026 should be confirmed against the current Gazette text and regulator guidance before action is taken. Please contact Njau & Associates Advocates for advice on your specific circumstances.