Kenya Prepares For A Bitcoin Conference As Real Use Keeps Expanding
There is a growing distance between how bitcoin is discussed and how it is actually used
Kenya is drafting rules for digital assets at a moment when Bitcoin is already circulating in small, informal economies that sit outside formal banking. Developers and community organisers say that gap between policy design and day-to-day use will come into focus in Nairobi later in June, when the Adopting Bitcoin Conference convenes regulators, builders and users from June 24 to 26.
The event, scheduled at the ASK Dome with a field visit in Kibera planned for June 26, arrives as authorities weigh how to structure oversight for virtual assets. For participants, the immediate concern is whether regulation will reflect how Bitcoin is actually being used across the country.
“Kenya is at its defining moment when it comes to virtual asset regulation,” said Kimberly Sandra, co-founder of Bitika. “This regulation should not be built in isolation.”
Informal economies shape the conversation
In parts of Nairobi and other urban centres, Bitcoin is already being used in closed-loop systems where merchants and customers transact directly without converting to cash. These community-driven models are expected to be a focal point during the conference’s field visit.
Sarah Mucha of Afrobit Kabira said the visit is designed to ground policy discussions in lived experience, exposing regulators to how digital currency functions in environments where access to banking services is limited.
Built on familiar payment habits
Kenya’s widespread use of M-Pesa continues to influence how Bitcoin tools are being designed and adopted. The country’s familiarity with mobile-based transactions has lowered the learning curve, allowing developers to focus on integration rather than user onboarding.
“We’re piggybacking on what M-Pesa built,” said Jason Grunstra of Tando, pointing to efforts to connect Bitcoin payments with existing mobile infrastructure for both local users and international visitors.
Education and risk remain central
Alongside demonstrations of real-world use, the conference agenda includes sessions on fraud, volatility and consumer protection. Organisers say broader understanding is still uneven, particularly among first-time users entering through informal networks.
“We hope to unravel the mystery that is Bitcoin,” said Nambuyiselo Murage of Minmo, describing the need for clearer guidance across policy, development and community education.
Policy process under scrutiny
Kenya’s regulatory approach to digital assets remains in progress, with stakeholders calling for more consistent engagement between authorities and ecosystem participants. Industry groups argue that rules drafted without input from grassroots users risk overlooking how value actually moves within local markets.
The Nairobi conference is expected to serve as a meeting point for those perspectives, bringing regulators into direct contact with developers and communities already working with Bitcoin.
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