The short answer
To send money to Kenya from Italy, buy USDC with euros on a regulated exchange, withdraw it on the Avalanche C-Chain network to your recipient's AutoPayKe address, and they withdraw Kenyan shillings to M-Pesa or any of 40 Kenyan banks. They see the exact amount and fee before confirming.
AutoPayKe is piloting in Italy, in Rome and Naples, in partnership with the Italian Trade Agency. The whole site and app are available in Italian, and you can sign up with an Italian phone number.
Which stablecoin to buy from Italy
Under the EU's MiCA rules, exchanges serving EU customers have delisted USDT, while USDC, issued by Circle under an EU e-money licence, is still widely available. Buy USDC.
Step by step
- 1
Your recipient opens a free AutoPayKe account
They sign up at autopayke.com with their Kenyan phone number and a 6-digit code. A wallet only they control is created automatically, no bank account, no paperwork beyond basic details.
- 2
They share their AutoPayKe address with you
In the app they open Receive and copy their wallet address (it starts with 0x). This is where you'll send the money. You can also send to an address of your own if you have an AutoPayKe account.
- 3
Buy USDC or USDT where you live
On an exchange you trust in your country, buy USDC (or USDT where it's allowed) with your local currency. One USDC is designed to be worth one US dollar.
- 4
Withdraw it on the Avalanche C-Chain network
Send the USDC to your recipient's address and choose Avalanche C-Chain (sometimes shown as AVAX C-Chain) as the network. Sending on any other network means the money won't arrive. Try a small amount first.
- 5
They cash out to M-Pesa or their bank
The money appears in their AutoPayKe balance. They withdraw to their M-Pesa number, to someone else's, or to any of 40 Kenyan banks and SACCOs, seeing the exact Kenyan shilling amount and fee before they confirm.
What it costs
- Your exchange: its fee to convert EUR into USDC and to withdraw it. Check before you buy.
- AutoPayKe: a disclosed cash-out fee when the money leaves for M-Pesa, a bank or a Till, with the shilling rate shown on the review screen.
- No receiving-bank fees and no correspondent banks in the middle.
Frequently asked questions
How do I send money to Kenya from Italy?
Buy USDC with euros on an exchange you trust, withdraw it on the Avalanche C-Chain network to your recipient's AutoPayKe address, and they cash it out to M-Pesa or a Kenyan bank in shillings.
How long does it take from Italy?
The transfer on Avalanche confirms in seconds. Once it reaches your recipient's balance, an M-Pesa cash-out usually completes within minutes, at any time of day. Your exchange may take its own time to process the purchase.
What does it cost to send money to Kenya from Italy?
You pay your exchange to convert EUR into a dollar stablecoin and withdraw it, then a disclosed AutoPayKe cash-out fee when the money goes to M-Pesa or a bank. Your recipient sees the exact shilling amount before they confirm.
Is AutoPayKe available in Italian?
Yes. The website and the app are fully translated into Italian at autopayke.com/it, and visitors in Italy are offered Italian automatically. You can also sign up with an Italian (+39) number.
Does my recipient in Kenya need a bank account?
No. Their Kenyan phone number is their account, and the money can go straight to M-Pesa. If they have a bank account, they can withdraw to any of 40 Kenyan banks and SACCOs too.