DeFi Technologies has announced the launch of the Kenya Digital Exchange (KDX), a regulated platform designed for the tokenization of real-world assets. The initiative was revealed on April 21 and is the result of a collaboration between DeFi Technologies, its subsidiary Valour Inc., SovFi, and the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). KDX will offer trading in various tokenized products, including equities, debt, funds, and commodities.
“This partnership marks a bold and strategic leap toward the future of African capital markets,” said Frank Mwiti, CEO of the NSE. The new exchange aims to unlock new investment opportunities, increase market access, and bring the benefits of tokenization and trading to more users across Africa. KDX will leverage blockchain technology, including Hedera (HBAR), to achieve these goals.
Olivier Roussy Newton of DeFi Technologies noted, “By collaborating with NSE, we will empower investors with new asset classes, driving economic growth, and positioning Kenya as a leading financial hub in Africa.” This partnership follows an initial collaboration between Valour and the NSE, which will see Valour’s exchange-traded products listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange before the end of Q3 2025.
KDX is set for a phased rollout, with the first phase expected by the end of 2025 and the final phase in the first half of 2026. The digital exchange will generate revenue through trading fees, listing fees, deposit and withdrawal fees, margin trading, lending, staking, token launches, custody, and initial exchange offerings.
The launch of KDX is poised to tap into a market with over 6 million crypto users, which recorded more than $18.6 billion in transactions in 2022.
