Choosing the right cryptocurrency exchange is a critical decision for traders and investors in Kenya. It can affect your trading profits, the speed of buying and selling coins, and your overall trading experience. With numerous platforms available, selecting a reliable exchange that fits your needs is essential.
To help you make an informed choice, we have compiled a detailed review of six reputable cryptocurrency exchanges accessible to users in Kenya. We will examine key features, including trading fees, supported cryptocurrencies, available trading products, and security measures.
Top Cryptocurrency Exchanges in Kenya
Here is a quick overview of the leading platforms for Kenyan traders:
- MEXC – Best overall exchange
- Bybit – Top platform for derivatives trading
- Kucoin – Ideal for altcoin traders
- BingX – Great alternative exchange
- Kraken – Most secure platform
- OKX – Versatile exchange for various needs
Comparison Table
| Exchange | Supported Cryptos | Spot Fees (Maker/Taker) | Futures Fees (Maker/Taker) | Max Leverage | Welcome Bonus | KYC Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEXC | 1600+ | 0.00% / 0.00% | 0.00% / 0.02% | 200x | Available | No |
| Bybit | 400+ | 0.10% / 0.10% | 0.02% / 0.055% | 100x | Available | No |
| Kucoin | 700+ | 0.10% / 0.10% | 0.02% / 0.06% | 125x | Available | No |
| BingX | 500+ | 0.10% / 0.10% | 0.02% / 0.05% | 200x | Available | No |
| Kraken | 200+ | 0.16% / 0.26% | 0.02% / 0.05% | 50x | Not Available | Yes |
| OKX | 350+ | 0.08% / 0.10% | 0.02% / 0.05% | 125x | Available | Yes |
Detailed Exchange Reviews
MEXC
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Singapore, MEXC has grown to serve over 10 million users globally. It is widely regarded as one of the most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges in the world.
The platform supports more than 1,600 cryptocurrencies, making it an excellent choice for users looking to diversify their investment portfolios. MEXC is particularly known for its low trading fees: 0% for both makers and takers in the spot market, and 0% for makers and 0.02% for takers in futures trading.
MEXC also offers comprehensive derivatives trading features, providing leverage of up to 200x on perpetual contracts. While MEXC does not directly support the Kenyan Shilling (KSh), it offers various payment methods for Kenyan traders, including credit/debit cards and third-party providers like Banxa and Simplex.
Spot Fees: 0% Maker / 0% Taker
Futures Fees: 0% Maker / 0.02% Taker
Supported Cryptocurrencies: 1600+
Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat
Pros and Cons of MEXC
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Extremely low fees | ❌ Limited passive income options |
| ✅ Wide crypto selection | ❌ Lacks some advanced tools |
| ✅ No KYC required | |
| ✅ High liquidity | |
| ✅ High leverage |
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Bybit
Bybit is one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges globally, trusted by over 20 million users across more than 25 countries, including Kenya. It is especially popular for derivatives trading.
The platform supports over 400 cryptocurrencies and 200+ futures contracts with competitive fees. Futures trading charges are 0.02% for makers and 0.055% for takers, with leverage of up to 100x. Bybit also offers options trading, NFT marketplaces, and bot trading. For passive income, users can access staking, mining, and liquidity farming.
Kenyan traders can deposit funds using various methods, including Visa/Mastercard, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and P2P trading.
Spot Fees: 0.10% Maker / 0.10% Taker
Futures Fees: 0.02% Maker / 0.055% Taker
Supported Cryptocurrencies: 400+
Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat
Pros and Cons of Bybit
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Low trading fees | ❌ Not beginner-friendly |
| ✅ Advanced trading tools | ❌ Not available in the U.S. |
| ✅ High liquidity | |
| ✅ Passive income options |
Kucoin
Kucoin, established in 2017, is an industry-leading exchange known for its extensive range of supported cryptocurrencies and advanced trading tools.
With over 700 cryptocurrencies available, Kucoin caters well to altcoin traders. Its spot market charges 0.1% for both makers and takers, while futures trading costs 0.02% for makers and 0.06% for takers. The platform also offers automated trading bots and crypto lending for passive income.
Kucoin is fully licensed and compliant with Kenyan regulations. Deposits can be made via Visa/Mastercard, P2P trading, or third-party payment providers.
Spot Fees: 0.10% Maker / 0.10% Taker
Futures Fees: 0.02% Maker / 0.06% Taker
Supported Cryptocurrencies: 700+
Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat
Pros and Cons of Kucoin
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Large crypto selection | ❌ Limited educational resources |
| ✅ Advanced tools | ❌ Complex interface |
| ✅ Low fees | |
| ✅ Passive income products |
BingX
BingX is a popular exchange among Kenyan users, offering access to over 500 cryptocurrencies, including BTC, USDT, and ETH.
Spot trading fees are 0.1% for both makers and takers, while futures trading costs 0.02% for makers and 0.05% for takers. The platform provides a user-friendly interface and advanced trading tools, such as technical indicators and real-time charts.
Kenyan traders can buy cryptocurrencies using bank cards, P2P trading, and other convenient methods.
Spot Fees: 0.10% Maker / 0.10% Taker
Futures Fees: 0.02% Maker / 0.05% Taker
Supported Cryptocurrencies: 500+
Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat
Pros and Cons of BingX
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ 700+ cryptocurrencies | ❌ Limited payment methods |
| ✅ Advanced trading tools | ❌ Limited customer support |
| ✅ Multi-asset support | ❌ Can be complex to use |
| ✅ High leverage | |
| ✅ Low fees |
Kraken
Launched in 2011, Kraken is one of the oldest and most trusted cryptocurrency exchanges globally. It is fully licensed and compliant with all regulatory guidelines in Kenya.
Kraken supports over 200 cryptocurrencies. Its spot trading fees are relatively high at 0.16% for makers and 0.26% for takers, but futures fees are competitive at 0.02% for makers and 0.05% for takers. The platform offers advanced trading tools, margin trading, OTC services, and passive income options like staking.
Security is a strong point for Kraken, with features like two-factor authentication, encryption, cold storage, and proof of reserves.
Spot Fees: 0.16% Maker / 0.26% Taker
Futures Fees: 0.02% Maker / 0.05% Taker
Supported Cryptocurrencies: 200+
Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat
Pros and Cons of Kraken
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Low futures fees | ❌ High spot trading fees |
| ✅ Strong security | ❌ Limited crypto selection |
| ✅ User-friendly | |
| ✅ Great mobile app |
OKX
OKX is a global cryptocurrency exchange with over 50 million users. It supports more than 350 cryptocurrencies and offers some of the lowest trading fees in the market.
Spot trading fees are 0.08% for makers and 0.10% for takers, while futures trading costs 0.02% for makers and 0.05% for takers. The platform provides leverage of up to 125x on derivatives and perpetual contracts. OKX also offers staking, copy trading, and bot trading for passive income.
Advanced trading tools, including technical indicators and order types, make it suitable for experienced traders. Deposit options include credit/debit cards, P2P trading, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Spot Fees: 0.08% Maker / 0.10% Taker
Futures Fees: 0.02% Maker / 0.05% Taker
Supported Cryptocurrencies: 350+
Customer Support: 24/7 Live Chat
Pros and Cons of OKX
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Low trading fees | ❌ Not beginner-friendly |
| ✅ Reliable platform | ❌ Limited customer support |
| ✅ Advanced tools | |
| ✅ Passive income options |
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How to Buy Crypto in Kenya
If you are new to cryptocurrency trading and want to buy Bitcoin or other digital assets in Kenya, follow these steps:
- Choose an Exchange: Select a platform from the list above based on your needs. MEXC is a great choice for active traders due to its low fees and wide selection.
- Register and Verify: Sign up for an account. While some exchanges don’t require KYC, completing verification helps lift limits and access all features.
- Deposit Funds: Use a preferred payment method to deposit Kenyan Shillings (KSh) or use the "Buy Crypto" option to purchase digital assets directly.
- Start Trading: Once your account is funded, you can begin trading or withdraw your coins to a private wallet.
Conclusion
Cryptocurrency trading is becoming increasingly popular in Kenya. The right exchange for you depends on your trading style, experience, and goals:
- For a wide selection of cryptocurrencies, consider MEXC, Bybit, or BingX.
- For low trading fees, MEXC and OKX are excellent choices.
- For high leverage on derivatives, look at MEXC, Bybit, or OKX.
Overall, we recommend MEXC as the best cryptocurrency exchange for Kenyan users due to its extensive crypto support, minimal fees, and high leverage options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cryptocurrency legal in Kenya?
Yes, buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrencies is legal in Kenya. The Central Bank of Kenya regulates crypto activities to ensure a secure trading environment.
Where can I buy cryptocurrency in Kenya?
You can purchase cryptocurrencies through any reputable exchange that serves Kenyan users. The platforms reviewed above are all accessible and reliable.
Which crypto exchange is the safest in Kenya?
Kraken is considered one of the safest exchanges due to its strong security measures, including cold storage, encryption, and proof of reserves.
Which exchange has the lowest fees in Kenya?
MEXC offers the lowest fees, with 0% charges for both makers and takers in the spot market and very low fees in the futures market.
What is the best crypto exchange in Kenya?
MEXC is our top choice for most traders due to its combination of low fees, wide cryptocurrency support, and user-friendly features.