Israel vs Kenya
Crypto regulation comparison
Israel
Kenya
Legal
No Regulation
Cryptocurrency is legal in Israel and treated as a taxable asset. The Israel Tax Authority classifies crypto as property, subject to 25% capital gains tax (or up to 50% for significant shareholders or high earners). Israel has a vibrant blockchain ecosystem with many startups and R&D centers.
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
Capital gains
Tax Type
Varies
Tax Rate
25-50%
Tax Rate
1.5-3% (proposed digital asset tax)
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
ISA (Israel Securities Authority), ITA (Israel Tax Authority), CTMFA
Regulator
CBK (Central Bank of Kenya), CMA (Capital Markets Authority)
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation; ISA exploring digital asset framework
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Key Points
- Capital gains tax of 25% on crypto profits (up to 50% including surtax for high earners)
- Israel Tax Authority classifies cryptocurrency as property, not currency
- ISA is developing a regulatory framework for digital asset trading platforms
- AML/KYC requirements apply to crypto service providers under CTMFA supervision
- Israel has one of the highest densities of blockchain startups globally
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