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Best Crypto Exchanges in Kenya (2026)

Compare the 31 crypto exchanges that accept residents of Kenya, ranked by our score out of 100 across regulation, security, fees, assets, platform and support. Includes licensing status, proof of reserves, hack and regulatory history, and what the rules actually are in Kenya.

Legal, lightly regulated in Kenya. A licensing framework has been progressing through legislation. Adoption is high, driven substantially by mobile money and remittances. Most residents use international venues.

RegulatorCapital Markets Authority
CurrencyKES
StatusLegal, lightly regulated
Exchanges available31
Checked2026-08-21

Tax on crypto in Kenya

A digital asset tax applies to transfers. This is general information and not tax advice. Rules change and enforcement varies, so confirm your own position with a qualified adviser before filing.

Crypto exchanges available in Kenya, ranked

31 of the 178 exchanges we score are available to residents of Kenya according to their own published terms, and 4 of those hold a full MiCA CASP licence. Ranked by our score out of 100.

MSP Score /100:85+ Excellent70 to 84 Very good55 to 69 Fair<55 Caution
#1

OKX

Founded 2017 · Seychelles, operations across Asia and Europe · 350 plus assets
~ Mixed reviews✓ MiCA authorisedProof of reserves2 incidents
Spot feefrom 0.10%
Assets350 plus
Available inKenya
80
Grade B
#2

Bitget

Founded 2018 · Seychelles · 800 plus assets
~ Mixed reviewsProof of reservesClean record
Spot feefrom 0.10%
Assets800 plus
Available inKenya
76
Grade B
#3

Crypto.com

Founded 2016 · Singapore · 350 plus assets
✓ Trusted reviews✓ MiCA authorisedProof of reserves1 incident
Spot feefrom 0.25%
Assets350 plus
Available inKenya
75
Grade B
#4

VALR

Founded 2018 · Johannesburg, South Africa · 100 plus assets
✓ Trusted reviewsClean record
Spot feefrom 0.10%
Assets100 plus
Available inKenya
75
Grade B
#5

Strike

Founded 2019 · United States · Varies assets
✓ Trusted reviewsClean record
Spot feeSee review
AssetsVaries
Available inKenya
75
Grade B
#6

Bybit

Founded 2018 · Dubai, United Arab Emirates · 600 plus assets
~ Mixed reviews✓ MiCA authorisedProof of reserves1 incident
Spot feefrom 0.10%
Assets600 plus
Available inKenya
74
Grade B
#7

Binance

Founded 2017 · No stated global headquarters · 350 plus spot, plus the deepest derivatives book in crypto assets
~ Mixed reviewsProof of reserves3 incidents
Spot feefrom 0.10%
Assets350 plus spot, plus the deepest derivatives book in crypto
Available inKenya
73
Grade B
#8

WhiteBIT

Founded 2018 · Lithuania · 400 plus assets
~ Mixed reviewsClean record
Spot feefrom 0.10%
Assets400 plus
Available inKenya
73
Grade B
#9

eToro

Founded 2007 · Tel Aviv, Israel · 100 plus crypto, plus stocks and ETFs assets
✓ Trusted reviews✓ MiCA authorisedClean record
Spot feefrom 1%
Assets100 plus crypto, plus stocks and ETFs
Available inKenya
72
Grade B
#10

Bitfinex

Founded 2012 · British Virgin Islands · 170 plus assets
~ Mixed reviews1 incident
Spot feefrom 0.10%
Assets170 plus
Available inKenya
70
Grade B
#11

Gate (Gate.io)

Founded 2013 · Cayman Islands · 1,700 plus, one of the longest lists anywhere assets
~ Mixed reviewsProof of reserves1 incident
Spot feefrom 0.09%
Assets1,700 plus, one of the longest lists anywhere
Available inKenya
70
Grade B
#12

Yellow Card

Founded 2016 · Nigeria · Varies assets
~ Mixed reviewsClean record
Spot feeSee review
AssetsVaries
Available inKenya
70
Grade B
#13

Deribit

Founded 2016 · Dubai, United Arab Emirates · Bitcoin and Ethereum derivatives, not a spot exchange assets
✓ Trusted reviews1 incident
Spot feefrom 0.05%
AssetsBitcoin and Ethereum derivatives, not a spot exchange
Available inKenya
69
Grade C
#14

Luno

Founded 2013 · London, United Kingdom · 30 plus assets
✓ Trusted reviewsClean record
Spot feeSee review
Assets30 plus
Available inKenya
69
Grade C
#15

KuCoin

Founded 2017 · Seychelles · 900 plus, the longest list of any major venue assets
⚠ Review cautionProof of reserves2 incidents
Spot feefrom 0.10%
Assets900 plus, the longest list of any major venue
Available inKenya
68
Grade C
#16

MEXC

Founded 2018 · Seychelles · 2,700 plus, the longest list of any major venue assets
⚠ Review cautionProof of reservesClean record
Spot feefrom 0.00%
Assets2,700 plus, the longest list of any major venue
Available inKenya
66
Grade C
#17

Chipper Cash

Founded 2018 · Nigeria · Varies assets
~ Mixed reviewsClean record
Spot feeSee review
AssetsVaries
Available inKenya
66
Grade C
#18

CEX.IO

Founded 2013 · London, United Kingdom · 100 plus assets
✓ Trusted reviewsClean record
Spot feeSee review
Assets100 plus
Available inKenya
65
Grade C
#19

Pionex

Founded 2019 · Singapore · 400 plus assets
~ Mixed reviewsClean record
Spot feefrom 0.05%
Assets400 plus
Available inKenya
65
Grade C
#20

HTX (formerly Huobi)

Founded 2013 · Seychelles · 700 plus assets
⚠ Review cautionProof of reserves2 incidents
Spot feefrom 0.20%
Assets700 plus
Available inKenya
63
Grade C
#21

BingX

Founded 2018 · Singapore · 700 plus assets
⚠ Review caution1 incident
Spot feefrom 0.10%
Assets700 plus
Available inKenya
61
Grade C
#22

Phemex

Founded 2019 · Singapore · 400 plus assets
⚠ Review caution1 incident
Spot feefrom 0.01%
Assets400 plus
Available inKenya
58
Grade C
#23

Roqqu

Founded 2019 · Nigeria · Varies assets
~ Mixed reviewsClean record
Spot feeSee review
AssetsVaries
Available inKenya
58
Grade C
#24

Bitmama

Founded 2019 · Nigeria · Varies assets
~ Mixed reviewsClean record
Spot feeSee review
AssetsVaries
Available inKenya
58
Grade C
#25

BloFin

Founded 2021 · Cayman Islands · 400 plus assets
⚠ Review cautionClean record
Spot feefrom 0.02%
Assets400 plus
Available inKenya
55
Grade C
#26

BitMart

Founded 2017 · Cayman Islands · 1,500 plus assets
⚠ Review caution1 incident
Spot feefrom 0.25%
Assets1,500 plus
Available inKenya
54
Grade D
#27

LBank

Founded 2015 · Cayman Islands · 900 plus assets
⚠ Review cautionClean record
Spot feefrom 0.10%
Assets900 plus
Available inKenya
54
Grade D
#28

Toobit

Founded 2022 · Seychelles · 500 plus assets
⚠ Review cautionClean record
Spot feefrom 0.10%
Assets500 plus
Available inKenya
53
Grade D
#29

Bitrue

Founded 2018 · Singapore · 700 plus assets
⚠ Review caution2 incidents
Spot feefrom 0.098%
Assets700 plus
Available inKenya
51
Grade D
#30

Remitano

Founded 2016 · Vietnam · Varies assets
~ Mixed reviews1 incident
Spot feeSee review
AssetsVaries
Available inKenya
49
Grade D
#31

BitMEX

Founded 2014 · Seychelles · Derivatives focused assets
⚠ Review caution⚠ Closing 23 Sep 20262 incidents
Spot feeSee review
AssetsDerivatives focused
Available inKenya
42
Grade D

Common questions

What is the best crypto exchange in Kenya?

Based on our scoring, the highest rated exchanges available to residents of Kenya are OKX, Bitget, Crypto.com. The right choice depends on whether you value regulation, fees or asset coverage most. Every score is broken down on the exchange's own page, and you should confirm you are accepted on their site before depositing.

Is crypto legal in Kenya?

Crypto is legal but the licensing regime is still forming. A licensing framework has been progressing through legislation. Adoption is high, driven substantially by mobile money and remittances. Most residents use international venues.

Do I pay tax on crypto in Kenya?

A digital asset tax applies to transfers. This is general information rather than tax advice, and you should confirm your own position with a qualified adviser.

Which regulator oversees crypto exchanges in Kenya?

Capital Markets Authority. Rules change quickly, so check the regulator's own register before trusting any platform's claim to be licensed.

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See all 178 exchanges compared →

Risk warning: crypto assets are highly volatile and largely unregulated. You can lose everything you put in. Nothing here is financial, investment or tax advice. Availability and rules change constantly, so always confirm on the exchange's own site and with your own regulator before depositing.