China vs Kenya
Crypto regulation comparison
China
Kenya
Banned
No Regulation
China has imposed a comprehensive ban on cryptocurrency activities. In September 2021, the PBOC and ten other agencies jointly declared all cryptocurrency transactions illegal, and the State Council banned crypto mining. China is instead promoting the digital yuan (e-CNY) CBDC.
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
Unclear
Tax Type
Varies
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
1.5-3% (proposed digital asset tax)
Exchanges
No
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
No
Mining
Yes
Regulator
PBOC (People's Bank of China), CBIRC, CSRC
Regulator
CBK (Central Bank of Kenya), CMA (Capital Markets Authority)
Stablecoin Rules
Not applicable; all crypto activities are banned
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Key Points
- All crypto transactions declared illegal by PBOC and 10 agencies in September 2021
- Crypto mining banned by the State Council in 2021 after a series of provincial crackdowns
- Financial institutions and payment companies prohibited from facilitating crypto services
- China actively developing and piloting the digital yuan (e-CNY) CBDC
- Despite the ban, some Chinese citizens reportedly access crypto via VPNs and OTC desks
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