DCI freezes several Binance accounts
Several Binance accounts in Kenya have reportedly been blocked, with users unable to access their wallets or conduct any meaningful transactions.
Several Binance accounts in Kenya have reportedly been blocked, with users unable to access their wallets or conduct any meaningful transactions.
This follows a formal request by officials from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to freeze the accounts amid a heightened crackdown on the crypto space.
According to sources privy to the information, the accounts were allegedly blocked without any formal court orders or charges presented against the affected users.
Reports indicate that some users allegedly received an email from Binance stating that their funds were frozen at the request of the DCI by the National Police Service.
Further reports revealed that when the users requested more information, Binance replied that they should contact the police service for more details.
This incident occurred in the wake of a tightened regulatory environment, with Binance seeking to align itself with global compliance standards.
Several Binance users in the country have strongly denounced what they termed as a lack of transparency from both the platform and the National Police Service.
“No complainant identified. No formal charges. No timeline given. Funds remain inaccessible. Meanwhile, real life doesn’t pause. Bills are piling up. Debt is growing,” said one of the Binance users.
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Frustration quickly escalated on social media, with most of the affected users launching a digital movement #BinanceUnmasked even as they demanded clarity on the matter.
Meanwhile, the latest development comes against the backdrop of the government’s implementation of the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Act of 2025.
The piece of legislation provides the legal framework for regulating crypto, tokens, and digital assets, with the draft Virtual Asset Service Providers Regulations, 2026, providing the specific licensing and compliance rules.
Binance has since noted that although the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and the CMA oversee the sector, coordination with the DCI appears to prioritise surveillance over user protection.
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