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How to Buy Crypto & Bitcoin in Kenya

by Pat

Content Manager

We’re in an era where crypto is considered the future of payments and a breakthrough in borderless transactions, including in Africa.

Zooming in a little closer, one of the early adopters of crypto in Africa is Kenya. This country ranked 19th on the 2022 Global Crypto Adoption Index posted by Chainalysis, showing how crypto has been changing the game for its people.

If you’re interested in using crypto for convenient transactions or as an investment option, sign up on Ka.app now. We’ve explained how to buy crypto & Bitcoin in Kenya below. We discussed where you can buy crypto, plus a step-by-step guide on how to do it so you can see how simple it goes.

Crypto & Bitcoin Usage in Kenya

According to a United Nations report, Kenya, with a population of over 55 million people as of July 2023, has the highest percentage of its residents using crypto in Africa. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) substantiates this claim, revealing that approximately 8.5% of the country’s population owns some form of cryptocurrency.

A key factor in this lies in crypto offering financial inclusion to Kenyans who don’t have access to traditional banking services, particularly in rural areas. With just an internet connection and a wallet address, some residents are able to send crypto payments at any time without financial institutions or payment centers involved.

In addition, the high fees associated with traditional remittance services have encouraged some Kenyans to explore crypto remittances, which offer quicker transactions at cheaper costs.

Is It Easy to Buy Crypto & Bitcoin in Kenya?

Generally, yes. There are no legal prohibitions surrounding crypto in Kenya, so you can buy coins and tokens without legal hurdles along the way. However, the exact process of buying crypto would depend on the platform you will use. Be sure to choose a user-friendly crypto wallet or Cash App alternative for a convenient crypto purchase experience.

Where to Buy Crypto & Bitcoin In Kenya?

You can buy crypto and Bitcoin in Kenya from several crypto exchanges, crypto payment apps, peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplaces, or from a Bitcoin ATM in Nairobi (yes, there’s only one Bitcoin ATM in Kenya at the moment).

Choosing from these options would depend on your needs and preferences, especially with regard to security, fees, user interface, and speed of transactions.

How to Buy Crypto & Bitcoin in Kenya

While every platform has its own unique process for buying crypto, we’ll show you how it usually works in two different purchase methods:

A. Through an Exchange or Crypto Payment App

  1. Sign up for an account on your chosen exchange or crypto payment app.
  2. Log in to the platform.
  3. Go to the home screen, and search for the ‘Buy’ or ‘Add Funds’ functionality.
  4. Choose the specific crypto you want to buy. For instance, Bitcoin or KASTA.
  5. Enter how much crypto you want to buy.
  6. Choose your payment option, whether it’s through a wire transfer, an e-wallet, a bank card, or whatever payment method is available on the platform.
  7. Confirm your purchase with an OTP or your PIN code.
  8. Wait for the assets to reflect in your wallet.

B. Through a P2P Transaction (Direct Exchange With Another User)

  1. Sign up for an account on a P2P platform or marketplace.
  2. Browse the crypto listings, and search for sellers that offer your preferred crypto.
  3. Select an offer based on the price they’re willing to sell, their accepted payment methods, and transaction terms.
  4. Initiate the purchase process. This will usually open a chat or messaging window.
  5. Discuss the terms with the seller.
  6. Once you’ve agreed upon the terms, generally, the seller will deposit your crypto through an escrow service.
  7. Then, you will deposit the into escrow as well.
  8. Once the seller has confirmed the receipt of your payment, they will release your crypto from escrow and the crypto should reflect in your wallet.

The Bottom Line

Kenya's growing crypto adoption is a testament to its resilience, innovation, and commitment to financial inclusion.

Thankfully, whether you want to buy crypto to facilitate blockchain P2P payments or for potential earnings, you can do it conveniently through different purchase methods available in the country. The crucial part is choosing the platform and method you’re most comfortable with, keeping in mind security, ease of use, reasonable transaction fees, and good customer support.

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FAQ

Is crypto legal in Kenya?

The Kenyan government has not yet implemented specific regulations concerning the use and trading of crypto in the country, but crypto is not illegal. The lack of regulations only means that it’s crucial to exercise caution and conduct due diligence when engaging in any crypto-related activities.

How to withdraw crypto and Bitcoin in Kenya?

Just like buying Bitcoin and crypto in Kenya, you can also withdraw digital currencies in different ways. You may use a crypto exchange, a crypto payment app, a Bitcoin ATM in Nairobi, or a P2P marketplace.

With a crypto payment app, the process may look like this:

  1. Log in to the app.
  2. Select the crypto you want to withdraw. For instance, Bitcoin.
  3. Tap the convert crypto to cash feature.
  4. Enter the amount of crypto you want to convert.
  5. The converted assets will reflect in your wallet.
  6. Go back to the home screen, and select the withdraw functionality.
  7. Depending on the platform, you may be able to withdraw your funds by connecting your bank account. Select where you want to receive your funds.
  8. Enter your external account details.
  9. Confirm the withdrawal by entering the OTP or PIN code.
  10. Wait for the funds to reflect in your external account.

Which bank supports cryptocurrency in Kenya?

No Kenyan bank provides direct support for crypto transactions, as of late 2021 data. Most Kenyan banks have been cautious about engaging with crypto due to the absence of a formal regulatory framework on this matter. However, some banks may permit customers to transact with crypto exchanges through their accounts, although this practice may vary among financial institutions.

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