Kenya’s tax regulator is coming for crypto transaction records

On Techpoint Digest, we discuss KRA pursuing cryptocurrency transaction records, Bolt Kenya raising fares by 6% as fuel prices rise, and MTN reversing a decade-long asset-light strategy in a $2.2 billion move.

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Victoria from Techpoint here,

Here’s what I’ve got for you today:

Kenya’s tax regulator is coming for crypto transaction records

MTN is reversing a decade of asset-light strategy in one $2.2B move

Bolt Kenya raises fares by 6% as fuel prices bite harder

Kenya’s tax regulator is coming for crypto transaction records

Kenya Revenue Authority

Kenya is tightening the screws on crypto, and this time, it comes with names, numbers, and the threat of prison. The country’s Finance Bill 2026, currently before parliament, proposes new amendments to the Tax Procedures Act that would force crypto exchanges and virtual asset service providers to submit annual reports to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), detailing exactly how Kenyan users are trading digital assets. That includes how much they bought crypto for, how much they sold it for, profits made, wallet activity, and even payments made for goods using cryptocurrencies. 

And the penalties are serious: false information could attract fines of KSh 100,000 (about $775) per false entry, up to three years in prison, or both. Missing information could carry similar penalties. The bill also introduces a cross-border element, allowing the KRA to share crypto-related financial information with foreign tax authorities through international agreements. In simple terms, Kenya is trying to formally end anonymous crypto trading.

Interestingly, the country has been gradually building its crypto regulatory framework for years. Back in 2023, Kenya introduced a 3% digital asset tax, requiring exchanges to deduct taxes directly from transactions. Then, under the Finance Act 2025, the government scrapped that model and replaced it with a 10% excise duty on transaction fees charged by crypto platforms instead. But the Finance Bill 2026 goes much deeper than taxation. It’s about visibility and surveillance. 

Why should you care? The proposal aligns Kenya with the OECD’s — the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development — Cryptoasset Reporting Framewo...