Kenya, known for its innovative financial systems, has made another leap in the cryptocurrency space with the integration of Bitcoin payments for M-Pesa users. Recently, one video from Kenya has become an internet sensation.
30 Mio. M-Pesa users can now be paid in bitcoin in #Kenya! 🇰🇪
I used @tando_me in Nairobi to pay with #Lightning. Smooth, fast, and the merchant at the Massai market got KES directly in their M-Pesa account. ⚡
Tested with @PhoenixWallet, @getalby and @breez_tech so far. pic.twitter.com/QUc97OLUw6— Anita ⚡🏳️🌈 (@AnitaPosch) December 3, 2024
Kenya Embraces Crypto Payments
Anita, the founder of Bitcoin for Fairness, shared her experience of making a Bitcoin payment in Nairobi using Tando on the Lightning Network. The viral video is from the Messai Market, where a merchant effortlessly received payment in Bitcoin through M-Pesa, which is Kenya’s widely used payment app.
What made this experience stand out was not just the convenience of the transaction but the element of amusement for those involved. The smooth and fast nature of the Bitcoin payment using the Lightning Network left both the users and the merchant impressed.
The merchant received 200 Kenyan Shillings (KES) directly into their M-Pesa account. Anita also stated, “Tested with PhoenixWallet, Alby, and Breez so far.”
Kenyans are legally permitted to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. In fact, Kenya possesses over $1.5 billion in Bitcoin, which represents 2.3% of the country’s GDP.
This is a great development that showcases how Kenya is leading the way in integrating cryptocurrency payments into everyday transactions.
