Kenya Mandates Local Offices for Virtual Asset Firms, Eyes Africa's Crypto Leadership

At the Kenya Blockchain and Crypto Conference 2026, Deputy Director Justin Saboti of the Capital Markets Authority stated that Kenya's proposed virtual asset regulations would require cryptocurrency firms operating in the country to establish local offices or representative branches before receiving licenses. According to Saboti, the local registration requirement aims to strengthen accountability, improve investor protection, and enable regulators to directly access firms for dispute investigation and fraud enforcement.

Industry executives highlighted Kenya's mobile money adoption as a competitive advantage, noting that over 6 million Kenyans currently use stablecoins for remittances, investments, and cross-border payments. Country Manager Peter Mwangi of VALR described Kenya's regulatory framework as among the most progressive in the crypto industry, positioning the country to become a leading digital asset hub in Africa.