Bahrain vs Kenya
Crypto regulation comparison
Bahrain
Kenya
Legal
No Regulation
Bahrain is one of the most crypto-friendly jurisdictions in the Middle East. The Central Bank of Bahrain introduced a comprehensive crypto-asset regulatory framework in 2019, and there is no personal income or capital gains tax. Several major exchanges including Binance have obtained licenses.
Kenya has no comprehensive cryptocurrency legislation, though it is one of Africa's leading crypto markets by adoption. The Central Bank has issued warnings but no formal ban. Kenya's 2023 Finance Act introduced a 3% Digital Asset Tax on income from digital asset transfers, signaling growing regulatory attention.
Tax Type
No tax
Tax Type
Varies
Tax Rate
0%
Tax Rate
1.5-3% (proposed digital asset tax)
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
CBB (Central Bank of Bahrain)
Regulator
CBK (Central Bank of Kenya), CMA (Capital Markets Authority)
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under CBB crypto-asset module; stablecoin issuance requires CBB licensing
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Key Points
- CBB Crypto-Asset Module provides a full regulatory framework for exchanges, custodians, and brokers
- No personal income tax or capital gains tax in Bahrain
- Licensed exchanges include Binance (CoinMENA), Rain, and others
- VASPs must meet AML/CFT requirements and obtain CBB licensing
- Bahrain positions itself as a regional fintech and crypto hub
Key Points
- No specific cryptocurrency legislation, but the 2023 Finance Act introduced a 3% Digital Asset Tax
- CBK has issued multiple warnings about crypto but has not imposed a ban
- CMA considering a framework for digital asset regulation
- Kenya consistently ranks among the top countries globally for crypto adoption (P2P volume)
- M-Pesa mobile money dominance shapes how Kenyans access crypto via P2P exchanges