Регулятор Кении ищет блокчейн-инструмент для мониторинга $19B Crypto Market

Kenya's Capital Markets Authority is seeking to purchase a blockchain analytics platform to monitor the country's virtual assets market, according to tender documents seen by Capital FM Africa. The regulator aims to track transactions across Bitcoin, Ethereum, and at least 20 other networks to detect fraud, money laundering, terrorism financing, and sanctions evasion. The procurement follows the Virtual Assets Service Providers Act, which President William Ruto signed into law in October and which took effect in November, establishing Kenya's first comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto firms.

Capital Markets Authority Specifies Platform Requirements

The tender documents outline capabilities for real-time and retrospective monitoring of digital asset transactions. The system would generate automated alerts for high-risk wallets, large transfers, coin mixers, darknet-linked addresses, and sanctioned entities. Transaction screening would cross-reference United Nations and U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions lists.

Additional functions include mapping relationships between wallets, reconstructing transaction timelines, tracing funds across chains, and assigning risk scores tied to money laundering, ransomware, fraud, and terrorism financing. The regulator stated it wants to identify exchanges most used by Kenyans and detect unlicensed offshore platforms serving the local market. The described capabilities mirror tools sold by blockchain intelligence firms such as Chainalysis, TRM Labs, and Elliptic.

Virtual Assets Service Providers Act Splits Regulatory Oversight

The Virtual Assets Service Providers Act divides supervision between the Central Bank of Kenya and the Capital Markets Authority. The Central Bank of Kenya covers payments, stablecoins, and custodial wallets. The Capital Markets Authority regulates exchanges, brokers, investment advisers, and tokenization platforms.

The National Treasury published draft regulations in March. Existing operators have until November 2026 to comply. No firms have been licensed yet. The framework aligns with anti-money-laundering standards set by the Financial Action Task Force.

Kenya Received $19 Billion in Crypto Between July 2024 and June 2025

Kenyans received approximately $19 billion in crypto between July 2024 and June 2025, ranking the country fourth on the continent, according to Chainalysis. More than six million Kenyans are estimated to use digital assets, much of it through informal, peer-to-peer channels. Kenya is one of Africa's largest crypto markets.

US and UK Agencies Deploy Similar Blockchain Tools

In the U.S., Immigration and Customs Enforcement moved last year to buy forensics software from TRM Labs and Chainalysis. Chainalysis holds contracts with the FBI, the DEA, and the IRS. Britain's tax authority, HMRC, brought on TRM Labs to trace suspect transactions.

FAQ

What blockchain analytics platform is Kenya's Capital Markets Authority seeking?

Kenya's Capital Markets Authority is seeking an advanced blockchain analytics platform to monitor Bitcoin, Ethereum, and at least 20 other networks. The system would track transactions in real time and retrospectively, generating automated alerts for high-risk wallets, large transfers, coin mixers, darknet-linked addresses, and sanctioned entities, according to tender documents seen by Capital FM Africa.

When does Kenya's Virtual Assets Service Providers Act require compliance?

President William Ruto signed the Virtual Assets Service Providers Act into law in October, and it took effect in November. The National Treasury published draft regulations in March, and existing operators have until November 2026 to comply. No firms have been licensed yet.