Crypto Policy Monitor
Kenya · consultation · consultation · 17 Mar 2026

Kenya publishes Draft VASP Regulations 2026 for consultation

JurisdictionKenya (Africa)
AuthorityNational Treasury (with CBK and CMA)
Instrumentconsultation
Statusconsultation
Event date17 Mar 2026
Coverage date4 Apr 2026
SourcesCapital FM coverage · Bowmans client alert
Referencecpm-2026-0002

The National Treasury circulated the Draft Virtual Asset Service Providers Regulations, 2026 on 17 March. It is the first implementing instrument under the VASP Act 2025, published with a Regulatory Impact Statement and a multi-agency task force behind it. The draft sets licensing and authorisation processes for all VASP categories, including exchanges, custodial wallets and payment processors, and writes FATF Recommendation 15 and Travel Rule requirements into the Kenyan framework. Strong Travel Rule implementation also supports Kenya's argument for exiting FATF increased monitoring. The regulations, not the Act, decide what compliance actually costs; capital requirements and licensing categories land here. Re-verified 6 July 2026: comments closed 10 April and the final regulations had not been gazetted as of this date.