Nairobi has once again proven itself as East Africa’s vibrant hub for blockchain dialogue and digital finance advancement. The Kenya Blockchain and Crypto Conference 2025 (KBCC), held on June 12–13 at the A.S.K. Dome, brought together over 1,500 regulators, founders, educators, developers, and innovators, all driven by this year’s theme: “Pioneering Innovation and Education in Digital Finance.”Organised by Chasing Mavericks Africa, this third edition moved beyond the crypto hype, focusing on regulatory clarity, practical solutions, and building local capacity to power Africa’s next digital revolution.
Verified on the Blockchain: An Exclusive Pre-Event Mixer
Before the main conference, Association of Fintechs in Kenya, Association of Fintechs in Kenya, and Sumsub hosted a premium kickoff event, Verified on the Blockchain. This exclusive evening united Kenya’s crypto, fintech, and policy leaders for:
- Invite-only networking
- A dynamic fireside chat on trust in African fintech
- Curated cocktails and fusion bites
- A grand prize draw
This intimate start set the collaborative tone for the two-day conference.
Keynotes: Setting a New Vision
Sheila Waswa, CEO of Chasing Mavericks Africa, opened with a clarion call to separate blockchain infrastructure from crypto speculation, urging Africa to leverage blockchain to fix real-world challenges, from supply chain gaps to digital identity systems.
Professor Bitange Ndemo, Chair of Kenya’s Blockchain Taskforce, showcased how far Kenya has come since its first blockchain strategy paper and called for greater use of decentralised ledgers in public services, land registries, and procurement.
Michael Kimani, Chair of the Blockchain Association of Kenya, explained the upcoming Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill, which will establish licensing, consumer protection, and AML standards to balance innovation with public trust.
Startup Track: From Idea to Market
A major highlight was the Startup Track on Go-To-Market Strategies, where payd.money (Chief Maverick, PaydHQ) shared how Payd is helping Africa’s gig economy get paid globally and spend locally. The panel, moderated by Esther Kendi (Amplify Africa), also featured:
- Georgia Morimba (Lisk)
- Paul Gachora (Project Mocha)
- Boniface Opany (Founders Hub Africa)
They discussed practical tips for navigating regulation, product scaling, and stablecoins’ role in cross-border payments.
Read Payd’s in-depth stablecoin analysis here.
Panels and Key Discussions
Regulation vs Innovation:
Speakers debated how Kenya’s new 1.5% digital asset tax and the VASP Bill will foster responsible growth while ensuring fair taxation.
Stablecoins & Cross-Border Payments:
Local startups and global players discussed how stablecoins can simplify remittances and shield businesses from FX risks.
Education as Africa’s Onboarding Ramp:
Institutions, bootcamps, and developer communities showcased initiatives bridging the talent gap.
Hands-On Compliance:
Sumsub’s Compliance Clinic offered founders practical steps to build strong KYC and AML frameworks.
In addition, the panels and keynotes offered rich discussions in:
- Navigating Regulation and Compliance: Actionable insights into Africa’s evolving regulatory frameworks, highlighting compliance and risk management as vital for sustainable business growth.
- Transitioning to Web3: A deep dive into the shift from Web2 to Web3, underscoring that this evolution is no longer abstract but an urgent reality for forward-thinking enterprises.
- The Future of Crypto Exchanges: Lively debate on the outlook for digital asset exchanges, competition, and the critical importance of trust to secure user confidence.
- Cybersecurity and Trust: A masterclass session covered robust security measures for blockchain infrastructure, reinforcing that trust is the backbone of a secure ecosystem.
- Championing Financial Inclusion: A call to action for innovators to design real solutions that turn borderless payments and inclusive finance from buzzwords into everyday realities.
Hands-On Compliance
A practical highlight was the Compliance Clinic hosted by Sumsub and Kenyan legal experts. This live workshop demystified KYC/AML procedures, helping startup founders craft robust anti-fraud frameworks, critical groundwork ahead of the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) Bill rollout.
Showcasing Local Innovation
More than 45 exhibitors transformed the expo floor into a marketplace of cutting-edge ideas: from digital ID solutions and blockchain-powered supply chain trackers to decentralised lending apps. The Startup Pitch Battle crowned an agricultural supply chain solution that boosts food security by verifying farm-to-market logistics in real time. Winners received incubation, mentorship, and investor connections, proof that KBCC is putting words into action.
Highlights from Both Days
Day 1:
- Innovative Infrastructure
- Real-world applications of stablecoins
- Strategies for real adoption
Day 2:
- Marketing & Adoption Trends in Web3
- UNICAF’s vision for borderless tech education
- LiskDAO’s insights on developer growth
Looking Ahead
With the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) Bill and a new tax regime on the way, Kenya is primed to attract responsible investors while protecting everyday users. More bootcamps, hackathons, and outreach initiatives are lined up, ensuring the momentum extends beyond the conference.
KBCC 2025 proved one thing: Kenya isn’t just a crypto trading hub , it’s becoming Africa’s blockchain education powerhouse. The journey continues, one skilled developer, one smart regulation, and one local solution at a time.
Read also: What is Tokenisation and How Is It Transforming Finance?
