USDT Contributions Facilitated Through Binance P2P Platform Aid June 2025 Kenyan Gen Z Demonstrations

In the digital age, cryptocurrencies have found their way into various aspects of society, and two African countries, Kenya and Nigeria, have recently seen a notable use of digital assets in political protests.

According to a recent IMF-commissioned market survey, USDT, a stablecoin, is the most popular cryptocurrency in Kenya, with about 49 percent of its crypto-owning population using it. BUSD, another stablecoin, is used by 9 percent of Kenyans who own cryptocurrencies. USDC follows closely in second place, with 31 percent usage.

The use of cryptocurrencies in Kenya, while not criminalized, has raised concerns from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kenya. Previously, the DCI has highlighted the potential use of cryptocurrencies for criminal activities.

During the June 2025 demonstrations in Kenya, which were held to remember those who died during the June 2024 demonstrations over the Kenya Finance Bill, cryptocurrency was reportedly involved. Binance P2P, a leading crypto platform in Kenya, was used to cash out USDT into Kenya Shillings (KES) and support protestors. Other apps such as OKX and TapSwap were also reportedly used during these protests.

The involvement of cryptocurrency in protests is not new, as seen in the #ENDSARS campaign in Nigeria in 2020. Numerous online sources indicate a concerted effort to facilitate demonstrators, particularly with small donations, using USDT. These donations were quickly dispersed to protestors via M-PESA.

The Bitcoin Development Fund (BDF), an organisation that supports educational and developer efforts in Africa, where authoritarian regimes restrict Bitcoin education, has also been involved in this trend. Countries involved in the BDF's support include Cameroon, Uganda, Egypt, Burundi, Togo, and the Congo.

However, the use of cryptocurrencies in protests has not been without controversy. The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the freezing of funds related to the Kenyan protests, following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It remains to be seen if this development will lead to more crackdowns on crypto usage, similar to what happened in Nigeria with ponzi and unlicensed schemes, or if Kenya will take a more open approach.

The Human Rights Foundation, an organisation that supports human rights defenders and activists, including developers building censorship-resistant tools via Bitcoin, across Africa, has also been active in this space. The foundation has been known to support various causes, including the June 2025 demonstrations in Kenya.

As this story continues to unfold, we will continue to update our readers with the latest developments. Stay tuned for more updates on the intersection of cryptocurrencies and political protests in Kenya and Nigeria.