Does Bybit work in Kenya? Bybit lists and VASP Act 2025

Short answer

Kenya is not on Bybit’s Service Restricted Countries list (last updated 2026-10-16), so Bybit does not name it as closed. Kenya does appear in Bybit’s list of restricted issuing countries for the SWIFT (PLN) fiat service (last updated 2026-10-03). Under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025, in force since 4 November 2025, a licence is required (existing providers have until 4 November 2026 to comply under section 47), and the CBK and CMA said they have not licensed any VASPs. That is why this page has no sign-up button. These statements are dated, not a ruling on today’s status. Checked 21 October 2026.

Is Kenya on Bybit’s restricted list?

No. The Service Restricted Countries article (“Last updated on 2026-10-16 03:56:21”) does not name Kenya. We read it on 21 October 2026. Bybit can change the list at any time, so check the original before you act.

Which Bybit fiat services are restricted for Kenya

Bybit’s List of Restricted Issuing Countries for Fiat Service (“Last updated on 2026-10-03 17:21:23”) names Kenya in the SWIFT (PLN) row. We did not find Kenya in the General Fiat Service, SEPA (EUR), SWIFT (USD) or Zen.com rows. We could not verify KES or M-Pesa routes on Bybit, so we state no payment methods, rates or limits.

What Kenya’s VASP Act 2025 requires

The Act was assented to on 15 October 2025 and commenced on 4 November 2025. Section 8(2) says a person shall not carry on, or purport to carry on, the business of virtual asset services in or from Kenya unless licensed by the relevant regulatory authority. Section 47 gives existing providers one year from commencement, until 4 November 2026, to comply, so a provider already operating is not automatically outside the law today. The regulators are the Capital Markets Authority and the Central Bank of Kenya. The VASP Regulations, 2026 were published as Legal Notice No. 134. We make no legal ruling on how these rules apply to any user or to Bybit.

Has any exchange been licensed in Kenya?

The CBK public notice of 18 November 2025 says: “Currently CBK and CMA have not licensed any VASPs under the Act to operate in or from Kenya.” The CMA notice says the same, and adds that licensing starts once the Regulations are issued. By our check on 21 October 2026 we did not find a newer official list of licensed providers, so we do not name a licensed exchange. We do not claim that Bybit holds or lacks a licence in Kenya beyond these notices.

Why there is no sign-up button here

We show a sign-up link only where our evidence covers the country and a licence is confirmed. Kenya is not covered by a confirmed licence, so there is no sign-up button and no Bybit code on this page. Do not use a false country or someone else’s identity to get around a check.

How we checked

We read the two Bybit help-center articles, the Act on Kenya Law and the CBK and CMA notices on 21 October 2026. Each source and its date are listed with the page. Read our editorial policy and how we verify.