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Kenya vs El Salvador

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | Kenya | El Salvador
Kenya

Kenya

El Salvador

El Salvador

No Regulation
Legal

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.

El Salvador made history in September 2021 by becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender through the Bitcoin Law. However, under a January 2025 IMF agreement (Decreto 199), El Salvador amended the law to make Bitcoin acceptance by businesses voluntary rather than mandatory, and repealed several articles. There is no capital gains tax on Bitcoin. The CNAD regulates digital assets.

Tax Type Varies
Tax Type No tax
Tax Rate 1.5-3% (proposed digital asset tax)
Tax Rate 0%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator CBK (Central Bank of Kenya), CMA (Capital Markets Authority)
Regulator BCR (Banco Central de Reserva), CNAD (Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales)
Stablecoin Rules No specific stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules USD is the primary currency; Bitcoin-specific legislation in place
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
  • First country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in September 2021 via the Bitcoin Law
  • Government developed the Chivo wallet for citizens, offering $30 USD in BTC incentive
  • January 2025 Decreto 199 made merchant Bitcoin acceptance voluntary (IMF condition)
  • No capital gains tax on Bitcoin transactions for individuals
  • Government has been accumulating Bitcoin reserves and launched Bitcoin-backed bonds
Sources
Sources