NSE (Nairobi Securities Exchange) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tether, the largest company in the digital asset industry, to explore digital asset education, tokenization, and financial market innovation in Nairobi.
Through this collaboration, the NSE and Tether seek to bridge the knowledge gap and equip Kenyan investors with the skills and confidence to participate in the evolving digital economy.
The partnership will deliver a structured investor education programme comprising training sessions, workshops, and other knowledge-sharing initiatives for NSE-listed brokers and retail investors, deepening understanding of digital assets while promoting greater participation in Kenya’s capital markets.
This MoU also aims to support the development and implementation of a blockchain-based market infrastructure for the tokenization and instant settlement of securities on the NSE using Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), while enabling fractionalized access to securities for both local and diaspora investors through the Hadron platform.
NSE and Tether plan
Tether and the NSE will also design and pilot secure onboarding solutions tailored to the Kenyan regulatory environment to streamline AntiMoney Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) processes.
Another key area of focus is the potential development of Real-World Asset (RWA) tokenization, leveraging the Hadron platform’s capabilities to support the issuance and trading of tokenized securities and other financial instruments.
To enhance market efficiency and optimize post-trade processes, Tether will support the exploration of instant and atomic settlement mechanisms aimed at reducing the current settlement cycle. Additionally, both parties will assess the feasibility of integrating USD₮ as a potential digital settlement infrastructure layer to enhance market liquidity and attract greater capital flows, where permitted by law.
“The use cases for digital assets are gradually evolving, from crypto use cases to real-life applications and, ultimately, to cross-border institutional use cases. This is what true freedom means, and we are happy to collaborate with the NSE even further to promote practical institutional use cases and technological advancement to optimize operations and enable efficient, transparent, accountable, and sustainable processes in the stock exchange while ensuring data protection and privacy,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether.
“This partnership is fully aligned with the NSE’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan, which is anchored on leveraging technology, deepening market participation, and expanding access to investment opportunities for all investors.
By collaborating with Tether, we are exploring innovative technologies that have the potential to modernize market infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency, and broaden investor access while maintaining the highest standards of market integrity and regulatory compliance.
As we execute our strategy, partnerships such as this will play a critical role in positioning the NSE as a globally competitive exchange and a catalyst for Kenya’s economic growth,” said Frank Mwiti, Chief Executive Officer, NSE.
Tether is a pioneer in stablecoin technology, driven by a mission to revolutionize the global financial landscape and provide accessible, secure, and efficient financial, communication, and energy infrastructure. Tether enables greater financial inclusion and communication resilience, fosters economic growth, and empowers individuals and businesses.
As the creator of the largest, most transparent, and liquid stablecoin in the industry, Tether is dedicated to building sustainable and resilient infrastructure for the benefit of underserved communities. By leveraging cutting-edge blockchain and peer-to-peer technology, it is committed to bridging the gap between traditional financial systems and the potential of decentralized finance.
The NSE is the principal securities exchange in Kenya. It offers a world class trading facility for local and international investors and issuers looking to gain exposure to Kenya’s and Africa’s economic growth.
NSE plays a vital role in the growth of Kenya’s economy through mobilization of domestic resources and international capital.
The NSE is a founder member of the African Securities Exchanges Association and the East African Securities
Exchanges Association. It is a full member of the World Federation of Exchanges and the Association of Futures
Markets, and a partner Exchange in the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (SSE).
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