New Bitcoin ATMs Emerge in Nairobi Malls as Regulators Warn No Operator Is Licensed

• New Bitcoin ATMs appear in Nairobi malls despite lacking regulatory approval.
• Regulators warn no licensed crypto operators exist under Kenya’s new law.
• Bitcoin adoption grows in malls and informal settlements across Nairobi quickly.

Bitcoin activity in Nairobi is rising quickly as new Bitcoin ATMs appear across major malls while regulators insist that no operator has approval under Kenya’s new crypto law. Reports from Capital News showed that the machines were placed beside banking kiosks and offered cash to Bitcoin services to shoppers.

Besides this rollout, the ATMs carried the branding Bankless Bitcoin and marked a shift from earlier attempts to introduce similar machines in 2018. CoinATMradar still lists only two active ATMs in Kenya, yet the new installations indicate that growth on the ground is moving ahead of official data.

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Regulators caution that no VASP is licensed

Moreover, the expansion comes only weeks after Kenya implemented the Virtual Assets Service Providers Act of 2025 which introduced rules for exchanges, wallets and custodians. Central Bank of Kenya will supervise payment and custody roles while the Capital Markets Authority will handle investment and trading activities.

However, licensing has not begun because the National Treasury has not released the regulations that will guide the process. A joint notice from the CBK and CMA warned that no VASP is licensed to operate in or from Kenya and that any provider claiming authorization is acting outside the law.

Consequently, the public now sees crypto machines in high traffic malls while regulators urge caution. This gap continues to raise concerns about compliance and enforcement during the early stages of Kenya’s new crypto oversight.

Bitcoin adoption expands into both malls and informal settlements

Bitcoin activity has long been strong in informal areas of Nairobi. Residents in Kibera use Bitcoin to store value without formal banking requirements. Many users rely on it for savings because access to traditional financial services remains limited.

Additionally, AfriBit Africa co founder Ronnie Mdawida said Bitcoin provides a practical tool for people managing daily financial challenges. He noted that it offers a level of independence that many residents cannot access through conventional banks.

Moreover, the arrival of new ATMs in upscale malls shows that interest in digital assets is moving into more visible retail spaces. Kenya now faces the challenge of matching its enforcement efforts with rising public demand as it prepares to begin licensing under the new framework.

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