In Nairobi's Kibera slum, garbage collectors are adopting Bitcoin, turning waste into digital wealth and reshaping the local economy. This initiative, led by AfriBit Africa since 2022, has enabled approximately 200 residents to use Bitcoin for daily transactions, especially among garbage collectors and local merchants. Payments via the Lightning network are promoted as faster and more cost-effective than Kenya's mobile money service M-PESA.

Many locals, like garbage collector Damiano Magak, report preferring Bitcoin for its low fees and perceived safety, with some holding up to 80% of their net worth in the volatile asset. Although some merchants appreciate the lack of transaction fees and speed, fintech experts, like Ali Hussein Kassim, caution against high exposure to such an unstable, unregulated currency. Kassim warns that this could disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, potentially worsening their financial insecurity.

Despite regulatory challenges in Kenya, the initiative continues with a focus on education and literacy around crypto. The experiment highlights both the promise and peril of integrating cryptocurrency into marginalized communities with limited financial access.