Nairobi, July 27 -- The National Treasury has introduced new restrictions on the transfer of cryptocurrency licences, requiring operators to hold and actively use their permits for at least three years before they can be sold or assigned to another party.

The new Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Regulations, 2026, published by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, also require successful applicants to commence operations within 12 months of receiving a licence.

The rules aim to curb speculative licence trading, where individuals or firms acquire regulatory licences not to operate cryptocurrency businesses but to later sell or transfer the permits for a profit once they become scarce or more valuable.

"Upon grant of a licence und...