Is crypto legal in Kazakhstan?

Yes, crypto is legal in Kazakhstan. As of October 2026, the country regulates crypto through two tracks: a national regime run by the National Bank of Kazakhstan since May 1, 2026, and a separate regime inside the Astana International Financial Centre, a special financial zone with its own regulator.

How is crypto regulated in Kazakhstan after May 2026?

The National Bank announced that a comprehensive framework for digital assets would take effect on May 1, 2026, under the law On Digital Assets in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The law splits assets into two groups. Unsecured digital assets are cryptoassets such as bitcoin and ether. Digital financial assets include money-backed stablecoins, tokenized real assets and digital forms of traditional instruments.

The National Bank licenses, regulates and supervises digital asset activity outside the AIFC. A separate financial market agency oversees digital financial assets other than stablecoins. The AIFC keeps its own rules for firms inside its jurisdiction. For context on how other countries set up similar systems, see crypto regulation around the world.

Do crypto exchanges need a license in Kazakhstan?

Yes. From May 1, 2026, operators of crypto exchanges outside the AIFC must obtain a license from the National Bank, while trading platforms and digital financial asset platforms must register with it. The National Bank said it would publish the requirements on its website.

What is AIFC crypto regulation?

Before the national law, regulated crypto trading in Kazakhstan happened mainly in the AIFC. The AFSA describes itself as the AIFC's independent regulator and oversees digital asset activity there. Large exchanges have sought approval from it; for example, AFSA announced in-principle approval for Binance to run a trading facility and offer custody, an interim step before a full license.

According to The Astana Times in December 2025, the AIFC had 29 licensed digital asset service providers, including 12 exchanges. AFSA keeps a list of approved tokens for trading and requires a separate license for stablecoin issuers.

Is bitcoin mining legal in Kazakhstan?

Mining is legal but regulated. Under laws signed on February 6, 2023 and in force from April 1, 2023, digital mining became a licensed activity open only to Kazakh entrepreneurs and companies, according to Morgan Lewis. The rules also set conditions for how miners buy electricity. As described in 2023, they also required miners to sell a minimum share of their output through AIFC-licensed exchanges from 2024, rising to 75% from January 1, 2025. Kazakh sources describe mining as already regulated before the 2026 law. For background on legality elsewhere, see is crypto mining legal.

Rules differ by country and change often. Check the tax authority or a qualified professional for your own situation.