Kenya vs Kuwait
Crypto regulation comparison
Kenya
Kuwait
No Regulation
Restricted
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.
Kuwait has taken a restrictive approach to cryptocurrency. The Central Bank of Kuwait and the Capital Markets Authority have prohibited banks and financial institutions from processing crypto transactions. There is no licensing framework for crypto exchanges. However, owning crypto is not explicitly illegal, and there is no personal income tax in Kuwait, so no crypto-specific tax applies.
Tax Type
Varies
Tax Type
None
Tax Rate
1.5-3% (proposed digital asset tax)
Tax Rate
0%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
No
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
CBK (Central Bank of Kenya), CMA (Capital Markets Authority)
Regulator
CBK (Central Bank of Kuwait), CMA
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
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
Key Points
- CBK prohibits banks and financial institutions from dealing in virtual currencies
- No licensing framework exists for crypto exchanges or VASPs
- Personal ownership of crypto is not explicitly criminalized
- No personal income or capital gains tax in Kuwait applies to crypto
- CMA has warned investors about the risks of cryptocurrency