Banking for a crypto or Web3 business in Kenya depends on licensing. The Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025, which took effect in November 2025, makes the Central Bank of Kenya and the Capital Markets Authority the joint regulators and requires virtual asset service providers to be licensed. Banks remain cautious and consider accounts for licensed providers case by case. Position as of 9 June 2026.
Suits Crypto and Web3 best
Depends on licensing; established banks consider accounts only for businesses licensed under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025.
Typical monthly fee
No fixed monthly fee at local banks; account terms set by the bank, with onboarding subject to the licensing and compliance review
Non resident position
A registered business and, for virtual asset activity, a licence under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025 are required. Foreign owned providers face enhanced checks. Verify with the regulator and the provider.
Providers that fit
Three covered here
Fees and features as of 9 June 2026Last reviewed 9 June 2026
General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.
A crypto or Web3 business in Kenya can seek a bank account where it is licensed as a virtual asset service provider under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025, which took effect in November 2025 and is jointly overseen by the Central Bank of Kenya and the Capital Markets Authority. Without a licence, bank access is restricted, and banks remain cautious. Confirm your licensing status and the bank position. Information as of 9 June 2026, not advice.
What Crypto and Web3 in Kenya need from a business account
Crypto and Web3 businesses in Kenya need a bank account that fits the regulatory framework. The Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025 brought virtual asset service providers under the joint supervision of the Central Bank of Kenya and the Capital Markets Authority and requires them to be licensed. The priorities are a clear licence, a compliant onboarding path, and shilling settlement. Banks remain cautious about crypto related activity, so confirm the current position and your licensing status before applying.
E
Equity Bank
An established Kenyan bank that operates within the Central Bank of Kenya framework and assesses crypto related businesses case by case, subject to licensing and its own compliance review.
Best for
Licensed virtual asset service providers
Monthly fee
No fixed monthly fee; account maintenance and transaction charges apply
A large Kenyan bank that operates within the regulatory framework, with onboarding for crypto related businesses that depends on the licence and a compliance review.
Best for
Licensed virtual asset service providers
Monthly fee
No fixed monthly fee; account maintenance and transaction charges apply
The international business account providers we compare do not confirm an account for companies registered in Kenya as of 9 June 2026. The providers listed above serve this market: established Kenyan banks such as Equity Bank, KCB, and Co-operative Bank of Kenya, which consider accounts for licensed virtual asset service providers under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025. Banks remain cautious about crypto related activity. Confirm current terms and your licensing status with each provider before applying.
Questions about banking for Crypto and Web3 in Kenya
Can a crypto business open a bank account in Kenya?
A crypto business can seek a bank account where it is licensed as a virtual asset service provider under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025. Without a licence, access is restricted and banks remain cautious. As of 9 June 2026, verify your position with the provider.
Is crypto regulated in Kenya?
Yes. The Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025 took effect in November 2025 and makes the Central Bank of Kenya and the Capital Markets Authority the joint regulators, requiring virtual asset service providers to be licensed. As of 9 June 2026, confirm the current position with the regulator.
What licence does a Web3 business in Kenya need?
A business carrying out virtual asset activity generally needs to register as a business and obtain a licence as a virtual asset service provider under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025, supervised by the Central Bank of Kenya or the Capital Markets Authority depending on the activity. Requirements vary by activity. As of 9 June 2026, verify with the regulator and the provider.
Are there crypto specific bank fees in Kenya?
Banks set the account terms for a licensed virtual asset business case by case, and these vary by bank and by the nature of the business. There is no single published crypto fee. As of 9 June 2026, confirm current terms with the bank before applying.
Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 9 June 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.