Kenya is taking a major step in integrating cryptocurrencies into everyday financial life, as Bankless Bitcoin is set to launch a Bitcoin ATM at Two Rivers Mall next month. The Kenyan company believes the ATM is a step toward digital inclusivity, as it removes intimidating barriers and complex peer-to-peer deals that often deter new users.
In an exclusive interview with Techweez, Robert Muoka, a strategic legal advisor and founding partner at Bankless Bitcoin, emphasised his organisation’s mission to bridge the digital divide within the crypto industry.
“This launch is a massive leap from the abstract to the tangible. For years, Kenyans have traded crypto on screens. Now, they can physically interact with it. It demystifies Bitcoin and makes it a part of the real-world economy, not just a digital asset,” said Robert Muoka.,
Bankless Bitcoin began as an education and over-the-counter (OTC) service provider, helping Kenyans navigate the often-intimidating world of digital assets. According to Muoka, the ATM is “not a separate project; it’s the physical extension of our mission to make Bitcoin accessible to everyone, not just the tech-savvy.”
Kenya’s first Bitcoin ATM is for Kenyans of all cadres, those who may be unbanked or those hesitant to link their bank accounts to international crypto exchanges.
“It is for the mama mboga who is curious, the university student who wants to invest small amounts, and the freelancer being paid in crypto who needs a quick way to cash out. It brings crypto to the street level,” Muoka explained.
Bringing crypto to the street levels perhaps doesn’t tally with the choice of Two Rivers Mall. Muoka, however, states that this location choice is also strategic.
“It represents modern Kenya—aspirational, connected, and forward-looking. Launching here signals legitimacy and ambition. We’re not hiding in a basement or a tech hub; we’re right next to international retail brands,” Muoka said.
He added that with foot traffic from diplomats, expats, families, and students, Bitcoin is immediately positioned as part of mainstream, aspirational life, not a niche tech toy.
Kenya’s Virtual Asset’s Bill
Kenya consistently ranks among the top countries globally in peer-to-peer Bitcoin trading, but mainstream adoption remains limited. Barriers to adoption remain, including regulatory uncertainty, lingering associations with scams, and technical complexity.
The crypto space in the country has historically existed in a grey area, with cautionary stances from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK). However, Muoka points to the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Bill 2025 as a turning point.
“It is the first real sign that the government is moving from caution to engagement. The fact that they are looking to divide oversight between the CBK and the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) is actually very smart. It suggests they understand that crypto isn’t just one thing—it’s both a payments innovation and a potential asset class,” he said.
Bankless Bitcoin has already engaged regulators through the Capital Markets Authority’s regulatory sandbox, which the lawyer described as “incredibly valuable” in refining their compliance standards. The company has a goal to build a network in the region.
Since Kenya is already a global leader in mobile money and is comfortable with digital wallets, Muoka believes Bitcoin ATMs won’t compete with mobile money but will instead complement it. “The ATM is the gateway. Once you have Bitcoin, that’s where the digital ecosystem takes over. The real evolution will be the integration between these two worlds.”
Read: Kenya Launches First National Digital Token on Solana
Comparisons with other African markets are inevitable. Nigeria leads in peer-to-peer adoption, while South Africa boasts stronger regulatory frameworks and existing Bitcoin ATMs.
“This launch closes the infrastructure gap significantly. It puts Nairobi on the map right next to Johannesburg and Cape Town as a key crypto capital on the continent,” said Muoka.
