Detailed overview
Kazakhstan at a glance
Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia and has positioned itself as a regulated digital-asset hub through the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The AIFC is a separate jurisdiction within Kazakhstan, operating under English common-law principles, with the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) as independent regulator. Over 4,800 firms from 90+ countries are registered in the AIFC. The 2026 Monthly Calculation Index (MCI, or MRP) is KZT 4,325 (about USD 9.22), used to calibrate fees and fines across Kazakhstani law.
Last verified: May 2026. Reference rate: KZT 469 = USD 1.
Use AIFC for international-facing crypto and money services. Use the outside-AIFC track for domestic mining and limited circulation of unsecured digital assets.
Is there a crypto licence in Kazakhstan?
Yes โ two tracks. AFSA inside the AIFC for exchanges, custody, broking and dealing in digital assets; Ministry of Digital Development outside the AIFC for mining and limited circulation of unsecured digital assets.
The AIFC operates under the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On the Astana International Financial Centre" with its own legal regime, courts and regulator. AFSA's Rulebook on Digital Asset Activities took effect on 1 January 2024 and was further amended on 1 January 2026 to refine the digital assets, capital markets and crowdfunding frameworks.
Outside the AIFC, Law No. 193-VII "On Digital Assets in the Republic of Kazakhstan" (in force from April 2023) governs mining and registered exchanges. President Tokayev signed amendments to the Law on Artificial Intelligence and Digitalisation in November 2025 permitting circulation of unsecured digital assets outside the AIFC, subject to licensing.
The fiscal incentive is significant: AIFC-licensed digital asset firms providing financial services within the AIFC are exempt from a range of corporate income and property taxes until 1 January 2066 under the AIFC Constitutional Law.
AFSA Digital Asset Trading Facility Operator (AIFC)
Best for crypto exchanges and regulated trading venues.
What it is: AFSA authorisation under the AIFC Rules on Digital Asset Activities to operate a regulated digital asset trading facility (DATF) โ the AIFC's exchange equivalent for digital assets.
Who it suits: Crypto exchanges, multilateral trading venues and digital-asset matching platforms looking for a common-law-based regulator with tax exemption to 2066.
Covers: Multilateral trading in digital assets under AFSA-supervised market rules. Listings governed by the DATF's own rules and AFSA market conduct standards. Stablecoin issuance is contemplated under future amendments to the Rulebook.
Operational requirement: Authorised Firm status under the AIFC Framework Regulations. Two key fit-and-proper persons (SEO, Finance Officer, Compliance Officer, MLRO and deputy MLRO). Real substance: office in the AIFC, board of directors with executive and non-executive members, committees (Risk, Compliance). AML/CFT compliance with the AIFC AML Rulebook. Retail-client controls including compliance with the AIFC Rules on Currency Regulation. Recognition of non-AIFC members requires written submission to AFSA and AIFC Court jurisdiction.
Headline figures
- Minimum capital: USD 200,000 (or sufficient working capital in fiat for 12 months on realistic forecasts, whichever is higher)
- Application fee (self-service portal): USD 500
- Application fee (paper): USD 1,500
- Additional digital-asset application fee: USD 2,800
- Tax regime: AIFC corporate tax exemption to 1 January 2066
- Licence term: ongoing, subject to annual supervisory cycle
AFSA Providing Custody for Digital Assets (AIFC)
Best for institutional digital-asset custodians.
What it is: AFSA authorisation under the AIFC Rules on Digital Asset Activities to safeguard and administer client digital assets, including the cryptographic keys controlling them.
Who it suits: Institutional custodians and exchanges offering segregated custody for client crypto assets.
Covers: Custody, wallet management, key management and related administrative services for digital assets.
Operational requirement: Substantive Authorised Firm requirements (governance, compliance, MLRO, fit-and-proper review). Segregation of client assets, robust cybersecurity, business-continuity arrangements, periodic AFSA audit and reporting.
Headline figures
- Capital requirement: as prescribed in Table 1 of the AIFC Rules on Digital Asset Activities by reference to the activity
- Liquid assets requirement: value at least equal to 25% of annual operating expenditure (for analogous fund administration; custody-specific rules in Table 1)
AFSA Dealing in Digital Assets (AIFC)
Best for principal traders and market makers.
What it is: AFSA authorisation to deal in digital assets as principal, including market making.
Who it suits: Proprietary trading firms, OTC desks and market makers operating from the AIFC.
Covers: Dealing in digital assets as principal, with capital and conduct standards mapped from MiFID-style principles.
AFSA Arranging Deals in Digital Assets (AIFC)
Best for brokers and intermediaries.
What it is: AFSA authorisation to arrange deals in digital assets โ the AIFC's broking/intermediation licence.
Who it suits: Crypto brokers, OTC introducers and intermediaries serving institutional clients.
Covers: Arranging deals in digital assets without principal risk; client onboarding, suitability, AML/CFT compliance.
AFSA Money Service Operator Licence (AIFC)
Best for cross-border payments, remittance and e-wallet providers.
What it is: AFSA licence under AIFC General Rules Rule 21 ("Providing Money Services") authorising cross-border money transfers, royalty payments, merchant settlements and remittance.
Who it suits: Payment platforms, e-wallet providers, remittance businesses and merchant-settlement operators serving Central Asia, the CIS and global markets.
Covers: Money service operations under AIFC rules. Existing licensees include McPay (Kazakhstan-based digital wallet) and S1lkPay (payment gateway).
Operational requirement: Authorised Firm status, fit-and-proper officers, AML/CFT compliance under the AIFC AML Rulebook, additional capital buffer to mitigate credit, market and operational risks.
Headline figures
- Minimum base capital: USD 200,000 (Rule 4.10)
- Tax regime: AIFC corporate tax exemption to 1 January 2066
AFSA Banking Licence (AIFC)
Best for international banks and crypto-bank structures (contemplated 2025+).
What it is: AFSA banking licence under AIFC Banking Business Prudential Rules.
Who it suits: International banking groups and emerging "crypto bank" models proposed by the Prime Minister in 2025 as part of Kazakhstan's positioning as a digital-asset hub.
Covers: Banking business in the AIFC under common-law rules; specific capital and prudential requirements per AFSA Banking Rules.
Outside-AIFC Digital Asset Service Provider Licence
Best for crypto miners and operators wanting nationwide circulation of unsecured digital assets.
What it is: Licence administered by the Ministry of Digital Development under Law No. 193-VII (in force April 2023) and the November 2025 amendments to the Law on Artificial Intelligence and Digitalisation.
Who it suits: Crypto miners with operations outside the AIFC and operators wanting nationwide circulation of unsecured digital assets (no longer required to sell via AIFC exchanges since the November 2025 amendments).
Covers: Issuance, placement and circulation of secured and unsecured digital assets; mining-related services. Licences are issued for up to 5 years with renewal possibility, subject to AML/CFT compliance.
Operational requirement: State registration with the Ministry of Digital Development. AML/CFT compliance, KYC, internal financial control procedures. Reporting to the regulator. Public register maintained for licensed entities.
Headline figures
- Mining sales requirement (2025): crypto miners required to sell 75% of mined assets on AIFC platforms (up from 50% in 2024); requirement lifted under the November 2025 amendments
- Mining tax rate: 15%
- CryptoCity pilot zone: announced 2025 to test legal circulation of cryptocurrencies in an experimental area
Is there a payments licence in Kazakhstan?
Yes. The AFSA Money Service Operator licence is the main AIFC route. The National Bank of Kazakhstan licenses payment organisations and banks for domestic, outside-AIFC operations.
For most fintech operators serving Central Asia, the AFSA Money Service Operator licence covers cross-border payments, remittance and merchant settlement under common-law rules with a USD 200,000 minimum capital and a tax exemption to 2066. Domestic-only payment organisations operating exclusively outside the AIFC fall under the National Bank of Kazakhstan's payments framework, which we handle on a case-by-case basis.
Is there a gambling licence in Kazakhstan?
Partial. Yes for land-based casinos (only in two designated zones), slot halls, bookmakers and totalisators. Online casino and internet casino activity is prohibited; only sports betting and totalisator activity can be offered online under a Kazakhstani licence.
The 2007 Gambling Law (Law No. 219 of 12 January 2007 "On Gambling Business") is the primary statute. Land-based casinos and slot halls are permitted only in two designated gambling zones: Kapchagay (Almaty region) and Shchuchinsk (Akmola region). Online casino and internet casino activity is expressly prohibited; operating outside the designated zones is a criminal offence under Article 307 of the Criminal Code.
Bookmaker and totalisator activity can operate nationwide and online, but Kazakhstani players can only legally bet through a Kazakhstani-licensed operator with a .kz or .าะฐะท domain and a Kazakhstani server. Foreign bookmaker websites without a Kazakh licence are blocked.
Amendments effective 26 June 2025 tightened advertising rules (gambling advertising only permitted within designated zones, on operator sites and during sports event broadcasts), broadened the list of persons prohibited from gambling, and tightened self-exclusion via the eGov Mobile app for up to 10 years. A Betting Account Centre (BAC) is being established to centralise bet processing and collect a 1.5% fee on betting transactions.
Casino Licence (Ministry of Tourism and Sports)
Best for land-based casino operators in hotel complexes in the two designated gambling zones.
What it is: Licence under the 2007 Gambling Law to operate a land-based casino in Kapchagay (Almaty region) or Shchuchinsk (Akmola region).
Who it suits: Land-based casino operators integrated with hotels rated three stars or higher in the designated zones.
Covers: Casino table games and gaming equipment at the licensed venue.
Operational requirement: Legal entity registered in Kazakhstan. Real estate within a 3-star+ hotel complex in a designated zone. Minimum 30 gaming tables. Bank deposit ("at first demand" / on-demand contribution) with a tier-2 Kazakhstani bank of 60,000 MRP under the annual budget law. Contracts with a licensed security company. Gambling rules in Kazakh and Russian. Gambling equipment owned outright. AML/CFT compliance.
Headline figures
- Minimum bank deposit: 60,000 MRP ร KZT 4,325 (2026) = KZT 259.5 million (about USD 553,000)
- Annual licence fee (historical, casino): approximately 3,845 MRP ร KZT 4,325 (2026) = KZT 16.6 million (about USD 35,500); subject to legislative amendment
- Minimum gaming tables: 30
- Permitted zones: Kapchagay (Almaty region) and Shchuchinsk (Akmola region) only
- VAT: 12%; corporate income tax: 20% (standard); individual income tax on gambling winnings: 10%
Slot Machine Hall Licence
Best for slot operators in the designated zones.
What it is: Licence under the 2007 Gambling Law to operate a slot machine hall in one of the two designated gambling zones.
Who it suits: Slot hall operators in Kapchagay or Shchuchinsk.
Covers: Slot machines at the licensed venue.
Operational requirement: Same general standards as for casinos (registered entity, equipment ownership, security, AML/CFT). Certification of RNG and gaming systems by accredited laboratories.
Headline figures
- Annual licence fee (historical): approximately 3,845 MRP ร KZT 4,325 = KZT 16.6 million (about USD 35,500); subject to legislative amendment
Bookmaker Licence
Best for sports betting operators (land-based and online).
What it is: Licence under the 2007 Gambling Law to accept sports bets via betting shops and online via a Kazakhstani platform.
Who it suits: Sports betting operators with a Kazakhstani-domiciled platform and a .kz or .าะฐะท domain.
Covers: Sports betting on real upcoming sports events. Online betting permitted only via a Kazakhstani server, Kazakhstani domain and a registered office in Kazakhstan.
Operational requirement: Legal entity registered in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan-domiciled servers. Registered office. AML/CFT compliance. Use of the centralised Betting Account Centre (BAC) once implemented; 1.5% of transactions payable to BAC.
Headline figures
- Annual licence fee (historical): approximately 640 MRP ร KZT 4,325 (2026) = KZT 2.77 million (about USD 5,900); subject to legislative amendment
- BAC charge: 1.5% of all betting transactions (once BAC is fully operational)
Totalisator Licence
Best for pari-mutuel horse racing betting operators.
What it is: Licence under the 2007 Gambling Law for pari-mutuel ("totalisator") betting at hippodromes.
Who it suits: Totalisator operators offering pari-mutuel bets on horse racing.
Covers: Pari-mutuel betting on horse racing events at the hippodrome.
Operational requirement: Same general standards as for bookmakers (legal entity, Kazakhstani servers and domain if offering online, AML/CFT).
Costs and timelines at a glance
- AFSA application fee (self-service portal): USD 500
- AFSA application fee (paper): USD 1,500
- AFSA additional digital-asset application fee: USD 2,800
- AFSA Digital Asset Trading Facility โ minimum capital: USD 200,000
- AFSA Money Service Operator โ minimum capital: USD 200,000
- AIFC corporate tax exemption: until 1 January 2066
- Outside-AIFC mining tax rate: 15%
- AFSA timeline (typical): approximately 6โ7 months from incorporation to operating launch
- Casino licence deposit: 60,000 MRP ร KZT 4,325 (2026) = KZT 259.5 million (about USD 553,000)
- Casino/slot hall annual licence fee (historical): approximately 3,845 MRP โ KZT 16.6 million (about USD 35,500); subject to legislative amendment
- Bookmaker licence annual fee (historical): approximately 640 MRP โ KZT 2.77 million (about USD 5,900); subject to legislative amendment
- 2026 MCI/MRP: KZT 4,325 (about USD 9.22)
- VAT: 12%
- Personal income tax (2026, up to 8,500 MCI โ KZT 33.4 million โ USD 71,200): 10%; over that, 15%
Who Kazakhstan suits and who it does not
Suitable for
- Crypto exchanges, custodians, brokers and dealers ready to set up AIFC substance and fund USD 200,000+ in capital, in exchange for common-law regulation and a tax exemption to 2066
- Cross-border payment platforms, e-wallets and remittance operators that benefit from an AFSA Money Service Operator licence and AIFC tax incentives
- Crypto miners willing to license under Law No. 193-VII and the November 2025 amendments outside the AIFC
- International banking groups exploring AIFC banking and "crypto bank" structures contemplated by the government in 2025
- Land-based casino and slot operators in Kapchagay or Shchuchinsk willing to fund a KZT 259.5 million (USD 553,000) bank deposit and run a 30+ table operation in a 3-star+ hotel
- Sports betting and totalisator operators willing to operate via a Kazakhstani entity, domain and server with BAC integration
Not suitable for
- Online casino operators โ internet casinos are expressly prohibited under the 2007 Gambling Law, even with a Kazakhstani licence
- Crypto operators looking for a "lite" jurisdiction without substantive substance โ AFSA requires real AIFC presence, fit-and-proper officers and governance
- Land-based casino operators outside the two designated gambling zones (Kapchagay and Shchuchinsk) โ operating elsewhere is a criminal offence
- Foreign bookmakers without a Kazakh licence โ Kazakhstani internet blocking applies to non-licensed sports betting websites
- Crypto businesses needing immediate EU MiCA passport rights โ AIFC authorisation does not confer EU passporting
- Operators unwilling to use the Betting Account Centre once fully operational (1.5% transaction fee)