NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 12 — Stakeholders in Kenya’s digital asset ecosystem are intensifying calls for policy dialogue, consumer education and practical application of Bitcoin ahead of the Adopting Bitcoin Conference set for June in Nairobi.
The conference, scheduled for June 24 and 25 at the ASK Dome, with a community field visit on June 26, is expected to bring together regulators, developers, investors and grassroots adopters at a time when Kenya is advancing a regulatory framework for virtual assets.
Industry players say the forum aims to bridge the gap between policymakers and innovators, ensuring emerging regulations reflect on-the-ground realities.
“Kenya is at a defining moment when it comes to virtual asset regulation, and this process should not be built in isolation, it should involve continuous engagement,” said Kimberly Sandra, co-founder of Bitika and a Bitcoin policy researcher.
“We need dialogue between consumers, regulators and service providers to develop a framework that works for the Kenyan citizen,” she added.
Organisers say the event will also highlight practical use cases, moving beyond speculation to demonstrate Bitcoin’s role in everyday transactions and community economies.
“Adopting Bitcoin is part of a global series, and on the 26th we will visit a real-life circular economy to see the impact of Bitcoin in communities,” said Sarah Mucha of Afribit Kibera, one of the organisers.
Kenya’s experience with mobile money is seen as a key enabler for adoption, with stakeholders noting that widespread use of digital payments has lowered barriers to entry.
“Kenya is uniquely placed in terms of Bitcoin adoption because of M-Pesa; we are already used to transacting via mobile phones,” Sandra said.
Developers are also building infrastructure to integrate Bitcoin into Kenya’s payment ecosystem, targeting both local users and international visitors.
“We’re building on what M-Pesa created and integrating Bitcoin into the system so that anyone in the world can come to Kenya and spend their Bitcoin,” said Jason Grunstra, co-founder of Tando.
At the grassroots level, stakeholders say Bitcoin is increasingly being used to expand financial inclusion, particularly among unbanked communities.
The conference will also address key risks, including fraud and price volatility, with ecosystem players emphasising education as critical to safe adoption.
“We hope to demystify Bitcoin from a policy, builder and community education perspective,” said Nambuyiselo Murage, co-founder of Minmo.
With invitations extended to regulators and the public, the Adopting Bitcoin Conference is positioning itself as a key platform to shape Kenya’s digital asset future through dialogue, inclusion and practical use.
