Blockchain technology could soon become part of Kenyans’ daily lives even for those who may not realize they are using it, Sam Kim, co-founder of blockchain startup GoChapaa, predicts following the passage of a landmark law that formally recognizes cryptocurrencies and digital assets.
- •Kenya has long been recognized as a pioneer in digital finance thanks to M-Pesa, the mobile money platform that transformed payments and inclusion across Africa.
- •The VASP Bill now represents the next step in that evolution, extending innovation from mobile wallets to blockchain-based systems.
- •For Kim, this is not just a regulatory milestone but the beginning of a deeper technological integration that will quietly reshape how Kenyans save, send, and spend money.
“Very soon, Kenyans will be engaging with blockchain technology without even knowing it,” Kim said in a recent interview with The Kenyan Wall Street. “It will simply be part of how our financial systems operate, powering faster payments, safer transactions, and smarter investments behind the scenes.”
The new law marks a defining moment in Kenya’s digital finance journey, extending the country’s fintech legacy from mobile money to digital assets.
By bringing crypto exchanges and service providers under the supervision of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), the VASP Bill establishes a structured framework for virtual assets, a first for Kenya and one of the few on the continent.
“Just as mobile money became part of everyday life without people needing to understand the technology behind it, blockchain will embed itself into our financial systems,” he said. “You’ll use it for cross-border payments, micro-savings, and digital investments without ever thinking of it as ‘crypto.’”
The law’s clarity reduces the uncertainty that previously clouded Kenya’s crypto market. Startups can now operate under defined rules, while consumers benefit from greater safety and trust.
“This legislation gives legitimacy to an industry that was once viewed with suspicion,” Kim said. “It tells the public that digital assets are not a passing fad or a scam, they are part of the future of finance.”
With regulatory clarity in place, fintech firms are now expected to roll out products built on blockchain rails, targeting both urban and rural users. Kim believes this could lower remittance costs, unlock new investment tools for underbanked populations, and support micro-transactions at unprecedented efficiency.
“The next wave of inclusion won’t come from cashless payments alone, but from decentralized systems that make global finance accessible at a local level,” he emphasises.
GoChapaa, which offers crypto wallets and trading tools, says it plans to go beyond compliance, focusing on user education, consumer protection, and transparency to build confidence in digital assets.
“Our mission is to democratize access to the benefits of virtual assets,” Kim explained. “We want to ensure that every Kenyan, whether they’re in Nairobi or Marsabit, can safely participate in this new financial era.”
Kenya’s structured approach contrasts sharply with many African peers that have either restricted crypto trading or failed to define clear rules. Analysts say the country’s proactive stance could attract global partnerships and investment into Nairobi’s growing “Silicon Savannah.”
“With this framework, Kenya is telling the world that it’s open for digital business,” said Kim. “We’re not just adopting global innovation, we are creating the environment where it can thrive responsibly.”
“Kenyans won’t have to think about it,” Kim concluded. “They’ll just enjoy more efficient, secure, and affordable financial services. That’s the beauty of it innovation that works quietly in the background.”
Regulators have been empowered to scale punishments based on the severity of violations and the profits made from them, while retaining powers to act swiftly when investors face imminent harm. The goal is a more predictable system that encourages compliance without stifling innovation.
