Top 7 Best Crypto Exchanges to Buy Bitcoin in Kenya for 2025

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To create this list our expert panel performs a series of tests to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the best cryptocurrency exchanges. The tests include creating an account, placing trades, and transferring money to a secure crypto wallet.

We then research the specific needs of Kenyan users, such as which payment methods are available, which currencies you can deposit, and the trading fees for buying Bitcoin in Kenya, and surveyed those users to find out what they think about each service.

Each expert assigns a score, which is combined with the results of the further research to create a final ranking in order to answer the question: what are the best crypto exchanges in Kenya for Kenyan users? 

Learn more about our panel and how we rate and review platforms. Or read on to find out what is the best Kenya crypto exchange.

What is the best crypto exchange Kenya in 2025?

Our expert rankings reveal that eToro is the best cryptocurrency exchange in Kenya.

The list below shows the three best Kenya crypto exchanges that excelled in our tests, by combining low transaction fees, high security, and ease of use.

4.6

eToro

Min. Deposit $100

Fees 1%

No. assets 50+

Demo account Yes

Visit site

eToro review

51% of retail CFD accounts lose money. Your capital is at risk.

4.2

Coinbase

Min. Deposit $10

Fees Up to 0.6%

No. assets 150+

Demo account No

Visit site

Coinbase review

4.0

Kraken

Min. Deposit $10

Fees 0.10% – 0.26%

No. assets 200+

Demo account Yes

Visit site

Kraken review

Top 7 best Kenya based crypto exchanges & apps, reviewed

1. eToro. Best for beginners, copy-trading & demo-account

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4.5

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

0% commission

Fees

50

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love eToro because it’s a crypto trading platform built with beginners and casual traders in mind. The platform combines an interactive, social trading experience with an easy-to-use interface, making it ideal for novice traders.

The far-reaching catalog of 100 cryptocurrencies includes big names like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as smaller crypto tokens with high growth potential. Some supported tokens can be seamlessly transferred to the eToro Money crypto wallet for safekeeping.

One feature we particularly appreciate is the ability to interact with eToro’s 35 million users on any asset, market, or portfolio page. If you find traders whose strategies match your risk tolerance, you can copy their portfolios automatically using eToro’s flagship copy trading functionality. eToro crypto’s Smart Portfolios offer a great entry point into digital currencies, an opportunity to learn and potentially benefit from the expertise of more experienced traders.

If you don’t feel comfortable investing your cash straight away, you can use a free demo account, credited with $100,000 virtual dollars. This offers plenty of opportunities to try out a trading strategy that works for you across the 100 crypto tokens available.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	3600+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Index CFDs, Commodity CFDs, NFTs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	ASIC, FCA, CySEC, FinCEN

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes, on certain assets
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes, on CFDs
Withdrawal fees	Yes
Spreads	Yes, on certain assets
Conversion fees	Yes, for non-USD currencies

Pros & Cons

Great for beginners, simple to set up and get started Competitive, industry-leading commissions Popular ‘Copy Portfolios’ function lets you follow top traders Excellent customer service, with live chat support provided

Comparatively high fees for withdrawals and account inactivity Does not integrate with the MetaTrader platform High spreads on some assets

Read review Visit eToro

51% of retail CFD accounts lose money. Your capital is at risk.

2. Coinbase. Best secure trading platform for all types of trader

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4

Ratings

$10

Min. deposit

Up to 0.6%

Fees

200

No. assets

No

Demo account

Overview

We love Coinbase because it’s the leading public crypto platform. Coinbase offers more than 170 cryptocurrencies to trade, a secure wallet to store your coins in, and automatic staking rewards on 10+ cryptos through Coinbase Earn.

Coinbase’s user-friendly platform simplifies the buying, selling, and trading processes, making it one of the top crypto exchanges for all levels of trader. But, Coinbase isn’t just an easy to use platform, it’s one of the safest and most secure. 

A public company brings transparency and renown, so you can trust that any money on Coinbase is safe and you’re sharing the platform with over 100 million other users. It stores 98% of customer assets offline in cold storage, minimizing the risk of theft. There is also insurance on all cash balances up to $250,000

The fees: Trading fees start from 0.6% but reduce the higher your trading volume. Bank transfer deposits and withdrawals are free, other payment methods may be charged. There is no fee for wallet-to-wallet crypto transactions but you will have to pay blockchain fees. Coinbase charges a 25% fee for its staking services.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	150+
Min. Deposit	$10
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	No
Supported assets	Crypto, NFTs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSA, FCA, NFA

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes
Inactivity fees	No
Rollover/overnight fees	No
Withdrawal fees	Yes
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Simple and easy to use interface Able to buy cryptocurrencies instantly with a credit or debit card Offers great security on its wallet Can use a variety of payment methods

Quite high fees for credit and debit card instant buys Poor customer support

Read review Visit Coinbase

3. Kraken: Best for simple, global cryptocurrency trading from your phone

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4

Ratings

$10

Min. deposit

0.10% – 0.26% (volume dependent)

Fees

200

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Kraken because it’s a beginner-friendly crypto trading platform, one that’s designed to make it quick and convenient to buy and sell crypto on the go. The Kraken mobile app provides access to over 200 cryptocurrencies making it one of the most diverse platforms around. 

With an intuitive interface and many advanced features, the Kraken crypto app is suitable for those just starting, or experienced traders wanting to enhance their trading experience. The Kraken mobile app caters to different trading styles and preferences with spot, margin, and futures all available. 

Kraken’s mobile app also supports up to 5:1 leverage allowing you to amplify your position and potentially increase your returns. With such a wide selection of tokens available and a solid range of features and tools, the Kraken app is one of the top cryptocurrency trading platforms while on the go. 

The fees: Kraken charges a fee of between 0-0.26% on every crypto trade. There are no costs to set up an account and no flat trading fees.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	200+
Min. Deposit	£10
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Crypto, NFTs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSA, AUSTRAC, FCA, MiFID II, FinCEN, FINTRAC

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Yes
Inactivity fees	No
Rollover/overnight fees	No
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	Yes

Pros & Cons

Cheap/ free deposits in EUR and cheap deposits for the USA Margin trading and Futures supported Transparency – it was the first exchange to carry out proof of reserves Low fees in comparison to other exchanges

Catered towards professional traders with large trading volumes Slow account verification in comparison to other brokers

Read review Visit Kraken

4. AvaTrade. Best regulated broker for secure trading

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4

Ratings

$100

Min. deposit

From 0.13%

Fees

500

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love AvaTrade because it is a reliable CFD broker, that gives users access to a wide range of markets. As a CFD broker, AvaTrade lets you speculate on the price movements of various crypto markets without owning the underlying assets. AvaTrade is a multi asset brokerage firm and includes CFDs on many of the biggest cryptos including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and more. 

AvaTrade is also highly regarded for its strong regulatory framework and commitment to security. AvaTrade is regulated in multiple jurisdictions, including Europe, Australia, Japan, South Africa, and the British Virgin Islands, which means it must adhere to stringent regulatory standards across the world. 

AvaTrade isn’t just well regulated, it also employs advanced security measures to protect client funds and personal information, including segregated accounts and robust encryption technology. 

The fees: There is no commission on any trading. AvaTrade makes money from the Bid/Ask spread instead. Crypto spreads start from 0.13%. Positions left overnight are charged a swap fee that varies depending on size. An inactivity fee of £/€/$50 per month is applicable if you don’t log in to your account for three consecutive months.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	1250+
Min. Deposit	$100
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stocks, Stock CFDs, ETF CFDs, Forex CFDs, Crypto CFDs, Commodity CFDs, Index CFDs
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSCA, FSA, ASIC, CBI, MiFID, CySEC, BVIFSC, FRSA

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	No
Inactivity fees	Yes
Rollover/overnight fees	Yes
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	No

Pros & Cons

Trade 1000+ CFDs with competitive spreads Regulated by Tier 1 financial bodies across the world Consistently highly rated trading platform on web and mobile Offers social trading through its proprietary AvaSocial platform

Spreads are competitive without being industry-leading Some assets are only available to trade through the MetaTrader software

Read review Visit AvaTrade

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

5. KuCoin. Best social trading altcoin exchange

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4

Ratings

$-

Min. deposit

…

Fees

–

No. assets

No

Demo account

Overview

We love KuCoin because it’s a great place for beginners to trade more than 700 altcoins. Kucoin offers a vast range of cryptocurrencies including all the big names like Bitcoin and Ethereum, together with hundreds of altcoins and newly released tokens. 

The exchange gives you multiple ways to trade and invest in crypto, including spot trading, futures trading, margin trading, and staking. This choice allows you to choose the method that best suits your trading strategies and risk tolerance. 

Kucoin is a top platform for both beginners and experienced traders. Its intuitive interface is easy to get to grips with and its advanced trading features mean even high volume traders can make use of it. Kucoin also offers an earn feature, where you can generate passive income through staking and lending, making it one of the best all round crypto exchanges. 

The fees: Trading fees are charged on a sliding scale. Fees are 0.1% on trading volumes below 50 BTC in a 30 day period. Discounts are available if you pay fees in KCS or store more than 1000 KCS in your account.

Highlights

No. of tradable assets
Min. Deposit
ID verification required	No
Free demo account	No
Supported assets
Mobile trading app	No
Web trading platform	No
Regulatory bodies

Pros & Cons

Anonymous trading with up to 2 BTC withdrawals/24 hours Wide variety of cryptocurrencies No deposit fees

Low trading volumes not suitable for big traders Doesn’t support U.S. customers You might experience delays and lags during high-traffic times.

Read review Visit KuCoin

6. Exness. Best for tight spreads and a pro-style trading experience.

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4

Ratings

$10

Min. deposit

From $0.2 per lot

Fees

300

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Exness because of its tight spreads, which make it a top choice for traders looking to minimize trading costs and maximize profitability. The brokerage offers some of the most competitive spreads in the industry, especially on markets like stocks. Excess offers 80+ stocks via CFDs from some of the worlds largest companies.

Its focus on low trading costs is ideal for both newbies and experienced traders looking to trade with minimal overheads. Exness also stands out for its range of trading terminals. It offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the Exness web terminal. There’s also a dedicated mobile app meaning you’ll be able to always access your account. 

Beginners can take advantage of a free demo account or micro-lots for low minimum trades, while more experienced traders can use the hundreds of pre built indicators available on the MetaTrader suite. 

The fees: Standard accounts aren’t charged a commission but are charged through the spread. Spreads start from 0.3 pips on stocks. Overnight fees apply on some assets (exc. swap-free accounts).

Highlights

No. of tradable assets	250+
Min. Deposit	From $10
ID verification required	Yes
Free demo account	Yes
Supported assets	Stocks, Crypto, Commodities,
Mobile trading app	Yes
Web trading platform	Yes
Regulatory bodies	FSCA, FCA, CySEC, FSA, BVIFSC

Fees & Costs

Trading fees	Standard accounts: no Professional accounts: yes
Inactivity fees	No
Rollover/overnight fees	Standard accounts: Yes, on some assets Islamic accounts: no
Withdrawal fees	No
Spreads	Yes
Conversion fees	No

Pros & Cons

Trade all major asset classes with zero commission Competitive spreads starting from 0.3 pips on standard accounts Highly flexible trading terminal available on mobile app, desktop, and web browser Top-tier regulation and negative balance protection

Restricted access in the US and UK

Read review Visit Exness

Exness does not offer services to residents of certain jurisdictions including the USA, Iran, North Korea and others. The content of the website including translations should not be construed as means for solicitation. Investors make their own and independent decisions. Trading in CFDs and generally leveraged products involves substantial risk of loss and you may lose all of your invested capital.

7. FP Markets. Best for low spread & 0-pip trading

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4

Ratings

$-

Min. deposit

…

Fees

–

No. assets

No

Demo account

Overview

We love FP Markets because it uses cutting-edge technology to ensure all stock trades are executed at lightning fast speed. It’s an award-winning broker and offers over 10,000 Australian and international share CFDs and stock CFDs across 4 continents. 

FP Markets has zero restrictions and allows all trading styles, including scalping and running expert advisors. Stock CFDs can be traded directly from its Metatrader 5 platform or via Iress, which gives direct market access to multiple global exchanges such as the Nasdaq, NYSE, and London stock exchange. 

The fees:  FP Market charges commission for all stock trades. For Australian stocks, its 0.05%, Hong Kong stocks, 0.20%, UK 0.10%, European 0.10%, and USA stocks are 2 cents per share. 

Highlights

No. of tradable assets
Min. Deposit
ID verification required	No
Free demo account	No
Supported assets
Mobile trading app	No
Web trading platform	No
Regulatory bodies

Pros & Cons

Trade 10,000+ CFDs across multiple asset classes Highly regulated and reliable platform Copy and social trading features

Not available in the US, Japan & New Zealand IRESS platform is expensive

Read review Visit

CFDs are derivatives and can be risky; losses can exceed your initial payment and you must be able to meet all margin calls as soon as they are made. When trading CFDs you do not own or have any rights to the CFDs underlying assets.

What do I need to buy Bitcoin in Kenya?

As long as you have a phone or an internet connection you can invest in Bitcoins in Kenya. However, to make your experience as quick and seamless as possible, these are the things you need to get started.

• A crypto exchange account. Choose a crypto exchange and set up an account in advance. Then you’re primed to invest in Bitcoin when the price reaches a level you’re happy with.
• A way to pay. Many people in Kenya buy Bitcoin with a bank account or card payment. You can also buy crypto with PayPal or another e-wallet. Make sure you have the details of the account you want to use, whether that’s your credit card, PayPal, or a different service.
• Copy of your photo ID. You usually have to provide ID when you’re buying Bitcoin in Kenya. Kenyan crypto brokers ask for ID verification in order to comply with KYC (Know Your Customer) regulations, which are in place to prevent fraud. 
• A personal crypto wallet (optional). Once you’ve purchased your Bitcoin, you can choose to either leave it on the exchange or move it to a personal crypto wallet for extra security. To save time, set up a wallet on a popular wallet like MetaMask in advance.

It is possible to buy cryptocurrency in Kenya without providing ID through a P2P exchange, but these are a bit less secure and more challenging to use, so we suggest only experienced crypto investors go down this path. Most people, on most exchanges, need to provide some form of ID.

How to buy crypto on the best Bitcoin broker in Kenya

Follow this short guide to learn how to buy Bitcoin in Kenya. This method is simple, and is the same process whether you want to buy and sell Bitcoin, or whether you prefer to trade crypto instead. 

What is the best Bitcoin wallet in Kenya?

Wallets are private and unregulated, so they are available everywhere, to everyone, rather than being restricted according to where you live. MetaMask and Trust Wallet are a couple of the best crypto wallets and they are available all over the world. 

However, there’s a trend towards crypto services operating as all-in-one platforms, where you can use one account that acts as both your exchange and wallet. The best option for most beginners is to sign up for a service like Binance or OKX, where you can buy crypto on the exchange and then store it on the same platform.

How to choose the best Kenya crypto app

Choosing where to buy Bitcoin in Kenya is important, and the right Kenyan crypto platform can save you a lot of time, stress, and money. Things like the exchange fees, storage facilities, and range of altcoins available should all impact your choice.

Here’s some advice on how to find the best way to buy crypto in Kenya.

1. How much does the exchange charge to trade?

There can be a big difference in the trading fees charged by each Kenya based crypto exchange. While all exchanges generally offer low cost cryptocurrency trading, what they charge may vary widely. Taking the time to compare them can save you money. Below is a summary of the different types of fees crypto exchanges in Kenya charge.

Trading fees are usually charged as a percentage of the trade. The best crypto exchange in Kenya with low fees will charge 1% or less of the trade amount. Some services charge a lot higher. Here’s a look at the specific trading fees each of the top Kenyan crypto trading platforms charge.

You may also have to pay deposit and withdrawal fees. You rarely have to pay for depositing fiat currency via a bank account or credit or debit card, but you may be charged a flat withdrawal fee. There’s often a significant charge for withdrawals made in digital currency.

2. How does the exchange store customer funds?

Crypto exchanges are available widely, but the important question is whether they are regulated in Kenya. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) is the financial body that decides whether crypto exchanges in Kenya have a license to operate, and decides what type of crypto assets are permitted in Kenya.

It’s the regulation that provides protection in the event that something happens to the exchange and you lose the money you hold on there. Crypto regulation varies around the world, and in many cases crypto platforms are based outside of Kenya and licensed to operate internationally by their local regulator. Here are the top Kenyan crypto exchanges and the financial bodies that regulate them around the world.

In addition to the regulation, you want to pick a reputable exchange that stores its customers’ funds safely. The best Bitcoin exchanges in Kenya should store your funds in segregated accounts and, ideally, in cold storage (offline). Choosing a Kenya crypto exchange that has been audited by a reputable accountancy firm can give you extra peace of mind.

3. Is the platform easy to use?

A good user experience means more than being able to navigate around the website with ease. Think about how you plan to trade: are you going to trade from your phone? How are you going to manage your crypto portfolio? Are you after particular analysis tools, charts, or software integrations?

For new users, the focus should be on educational tools, like a demo account, trading tutorials, and walkthrough guides. Here’s a comparison of the resources available from each top Kenyan exchange.

For more advanced crypto investors, your focus might be on the additional trading tools on offer. These tools can be things like adjustable charts that you can use to track specific technical indicators or identify patterns, or it might be more analysis based, making it easier to assess the state of the crypto market as a whole.

Armed with that information you can start to narrow down your shortlist by considering if the exchange suits you. For instance, if you plan to do a lot of trading on the go, then you should focus on the platform that offers the best crypto app in Kenya.

4. What is the account verification process?

When you create an account, you’ll often be asked to supply some personal details and a form of ID to verify your identity. It’s normally a prerequisite for any crypto exchange to be regulated in Kenya.

It’s a good idea to check what the verification process is before you sign up. That way, you can have the relevant documents to hand to create a seamless sign up process. Or, if you want to avoid supplying personal details, you can filter out the crypto exchanges in Kenya that demand verification in order to use them.

5. How many cryptocurrencies are available?

You can buy Bitcoin in Kenya through any cryptocurrency exchange, but beyond that the number of available coins can vary. If you want to trade altcoins, look for a Kenya crypto exchange that offers a large number of coins and ‘crosses’, where you can swap from one crypto to another. 

6. Which currencies can you deposit?

For most people, a crypto exchange in Kenya is a means to transfer local fiat currencies into cryptocurrency. However, lots of crypto exchanges in Kenya only accept US dollar deposits, which can be an issue if that is not your primary currency.

If you don’t have access to US Dollars, then it might be best to choose a large exchange like Binance or a local exchange that’s specifically designed for crypto traders in Kenya. 

7. Which payment methods are accepted?

Decide how you want to pay for your crypto. If you want to fund an account with the best Kenya crypto exchange using bank transfers or debit card payments, then most Kenyan crypto exchanges accept deposits from bank accounts and you don’t need to worry.

A cryptocurrency exchange in Kenya is less likely to accept alternative payment methods, like PayPal and other e-wallet services. The larger ones, such as Binance, do accept a wide variety of payment methods, but it’s still a good idea to check whether you can pay how you want before signing up.

8. Does it offer additional features, like staking or lending?

Think about what you might want to use the exchange for and use that to influence your decision. Do you want to store or stake your coins? Lend them to earn interest, or borrow crypto yourself?

You can buy crypto in Kenya through any Kenya based crypto exchange that’s regulated, but not all platforms offer all these services. You may be happy to juggle multiple logins and use different exchanges, but it’s normally easier to use one service, at least to start with.

9. What’s the customer service like?

One final point to consider is how the exchange deals with its customers and how well it responds to any queries you may have. One way to judge this is by assessing how easy it is to contact them. An extensive help centre or FAQ section is useful, but you should also consider whether there’s a live chat feature or another convenient way to speak to customer support, such as WhatsApp or Telegram.

Another way to judge how well an exchange treats its customers is to read what those customers have to say about them. There are many third-party review platforms where regular users can rate the service. Use their feedback to help you judge whether a Kenyan crypto exchange is for you.

What type of Kenyan crypto exchanges are there?

Most crypto investors use a centralised, global exchange, like Binance or Coinbase. But cryptocurrency exchanges in Kenya come in different forms. Here is a breakdown of the most common types:

• Centralised. In a centralised exchange, there is an authority – in this case a company – that operates the service. You create an account and deposit money, and the funds are held by the entity in the middle. When you make trades, they go through the central authority. The biggest crypto exchange, Binance, is an example of this type of platform.
• Decentralised. On decentralised exchanges there is no central authority. Instead, buyers and sellers deal with each other directly, and the crypto trading platforms are just the mechanism for connecting them. You can’t create an account, the crypto is sent from one wallet to another when a transaction takes place
• Peer-to-peer (P2P). A peer-to-peer exchange operates like a decentralised exchange, but there’s still a central body that acts as the intermediary. Each side in a transaction makes the payment, and the central body releases the funds as soon as both sides have sent money.

Can I buy traditional financial assets on a crypto exchange in Kenya?

On some platforms you can, but a better option is to sign up for a dedicated service that offers the specific assets you want to trade. The allow you to buy and sell stocks, while the best forex brokers in Kenya is best for currency trading. The best cfd brokers in Kenya offer a mixture of all these assets.

Which crypto exchange in Kenya has the best user reviews?

We surveyed our Kenyan users to find out which crypto exchange provided the best service to everyday people, just like you. Below we’ve summarised their findings, with each exchange ranked out of five.

To summarise

To invest in cryptocurrency in Kenya, whether that’s Bitcoin, Ethereum, or something else, you need to sign up to a crypto exchange or app. Preferably one that’s regulated in Kenya by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), so that your funds are protected online.

This guide explains how to buy cryptocurrency in Kenya using a top crypto exchange in a simple, straightforward way. You can invest in Bitcoin as a means to find a long term store of value or short term speculation. Consider which approach you want to take when choosing the best app to purchase Bitcoin in Kenya, then choose a low-cost, intuitive platform to start your crypto journey.

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