Crypto License in Kazakhstan

Crypto License in Kazakhstan

Last Update: 18.03.2026

Kazakhstan offers substantial opportunities for launching and developing a regulated crypto business. The country has established a legal framework for digital assets and created a route for licensed crypto activity through the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC).

Bergerslegal provides legal support for registering crypto businesses and obtaining a VASP license in Kazakhstan, including corporate structuring, regulatory analysis, compliance preparation, and licensing assistance.

Advantages of a cryptocurrency license in Kazakhstan

A crypto license in Kazakhstan allows companies to operate within a structured legal environment and access one of the most actively developing digital asset markets in the region.

Favorable tax treatment

Licensed participants providing financial services within the AIFC may benefit from significant tax incentives, including exemptions from certain income and property taxes until January 1, 2066, subject to the applicable legal regime.

Convenient entry for foreign founders and employees

The AIFC offers a more accessible framework for foreign citizens, including simplified visa and work-permit procedures and support through specialized expat service infrastructure.

Stable legal framework

Kazakhstan has built a formal regulatory regime for digital assets and, according to the source text, the current framework is expected to remain relatively stable in the short to medium term.

Simplified currency regime

AIFC participants benefit from a more flexible approach to currency operations and may fulfill obligations in the currency specified in their agreements.

Special visa and labor conditions

Certain AIFC participants and their employees may benefit from more favorable rules for foreign specialists and family members.

Regulated and transparent market environment

The AIFC and AFSA provide a more structured supervisory framework for digital asset businesses, strengthening legal certainty and investor confidence.

Technology and fintech development

Kazakhstan is investing in digital infrastructure and positioning itself as a regional technology and fintech hub.

Regulatory sandbox opportunities

Special testing environments may allow companies to pilot new financial or digital asset products under supervisory conditions.

Regulation of cryptocurrency exchanges in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s approach to digital asset regulation has evolved over several years and is now based on a more complete legal framework.

The country introduced major changes to crypto-related legislation in stages. The current framework is centered around the Law “On Digital Assets in the Republic of Kazakhstan”, which entered into force on April 1, 2023.

This law created a legal foundation for:

• issuance of digital assets;
• circulation of digital assets;
• licensing of certain market participants;
• state supervision of activities involving digital assets;
• reporting obligations for crypto exchanges and mining companies.

Although the issuance and circulation of unsecured digital assets is generally prohibited within Kazakhstan, the law allows such activity within the AIFC as an exception to the general rule.

This means that crypto-related activity may be conducted lawfully within the AIFC, provided the company operates under the appropriate authorization.

Legislation on cryptocurrency licensing in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan’s legislative framework has developed in several stages.

2018 legislative amendments

Early amendments introduced digital-asset-related concepts into broader financial legislation and established the role of the National Bank in supervision and AML/CTF controls.

2020 Digital Financial Assets framework

Further legal development formalized the concept of digital financial assets and provided a more structured basis for oversight.

Law “On Digital Assets” (effective April 1, 2023)

This is the key current law and introduced:

• mandatory licensing for companies working with digital assets;
• reporting requirements for exchanges and miners;
• state oversight over issuance, circulation, and storage of digital assets.

The law distinguishes between:

• secured digital assets;
• unsecured digital assets.

It also establishes that transactions with digital assets mined in Kazakhstan must be conducted through licensed exchanges operating under the AIFC framework. In addition, miners are subject to mandatory sale thresholds for a portion of mined assets.

Mining-specific regulation

Separate legislation also regulates digital mining and mining pools, including infrastructure, electricity, software, and compliance requirements.

Licensing and registration

Activities involving digital assets in Kazakhstan are strictly regulated. Depending on the specific business model, a company may need either a license, registration, or both.

The most common license categories described in your source text are:

• crypto exchange license;
• crypto broker license;
• mining license;
• cryptocurrency trading license;
• VASP authorization for broader virtual asset services.

In addition, certain categories of businesses, such as exchanges, issuance platforms for secured digital assets, and digital asset custody providers, are subject to state registration requirements.

Licensed and registered businesses must comply with AML/CTF obligations, including:

• customer identification;
• reporting to regulatory authorities;
• internal financial control procedures.

Licenses are issued for a defined term with the possibility of renewal, provided the licensee remains compliant.

Register of crypto companies

The Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) maintains a public register of licensed crypto businesses operating within the AIFC.

The register provides information such as:

• type of authorized activity;
• date of license issuance;
• board composition;
• capital;
• legal address.

This serves as a transparency tool for market participants and allows public verification of whether a company is properly authorized.

Requirements for obtaining a cryptocurrency license in Kazakhstan

The licensing process involves legal, technical, operational, and organizational requirements designed to ensure transparency and customer protection.

Registration of a legal entity

The company must be registered within the AIFC and maintain:

• certificate of registration;
• local legal address;
• corporate bank account in Kazakhstan.

Authorized capital

The company must maintain capital sufficient to cover approximately six months of projected operating expenses.

Personnel requirements

The structure should include key managerial roles, such as:

• senior executive director;
• financial director;
• technical director;
• director.

Where allowed, one person may combine several roles if sufficiently qualified.

AML and compliance staffing

Local staff must be employed to perform AML/CFT and compliance functions. In some cases, those roles may initially be combined.

Internal policies

The company must prepare and implement internal rules covering:

• AML/CFT;
• KYC;
• internal controls;
• reporting;
• cybersecurity;
• operational continuity.

Cybersecurity

Technical and organizational measures must be in place to protect the platform against hacking, theft, disruption, and related cyber risks.

Customer identification platform

A digital system for customer identification, transaction monitoring, and blocking suspicious activity is required.

Additional documents

The source text also states that registration with the relevant authority requires:

• activity description;
• proof of payment of the registration fee;
• business plan and financial plan for three years;
• identification number of the company director;
• passports of company members;
• lease agreement for premises within the AIFC.

Process and terms for obtaining a crypto license in Kazakhstan (AIFC)

Step 1: Collection of preliminary documents

This stage generally takes 5–10 working days and includes preparation of:

• preferred company name;
• passport copies of shareholders and directors;
• proof of address;
• CVs;
• business model and business plan;
• financial plan.

Step 2: Licensing

The licensing phase may take up to 6 months and includes:

• determining the appropriate license type;
• preparing regulatory documentation;
• submitting the application to AFSA;
• responding to AFSA requests;
• obtaining approval.

Step 3: Company registration

This stage may take up to 1 month and includes:

• company registration;
• preparation of corporate documents;
• employment of local staff;
• setup of accounting services.

Step 4: Corporate account opening

This stage typically takes around 2 weeks and involves:

• selection of suitable banks or EMIs;
• source-of-funds review;
• onboarding support;
• coordination with the financial institution.

Types of cryptocurrency licenses in Kazakhstan

AFSA offers several license categories for crypto-related businesses.

License for cryptocurrency exchange activities

Required for companies exchanging digital assets for fiat or other digital assets. This category requires AML/KYC compliance and robust transaction monitoring and cybersecurity systems.

Mining license

Applies to companies engaged in digital asset mining. The application must address infrastructure, power usage, and environmental or operational matters.

License for custodial services

Applies to companies storing and administering customer crypto assets. Internal controls, information security, and confidentiality policies are critical.

ICO/STO license

Relevant for token issuance or tokenized offering projects. Applicants must prepare a business plan, legal documentation, promotion strategy, and risk analysis.

Overview of Crypto Regulation in Kazakhstan

Overview of Crypto Regulation in Kazakhstan

Registering a crypto company in Kazakhstan

The company registration process includes several basic stages.

Step 1: Choose the legal form

The most common options are:

• Limited Liability Partnership (LLP);
• Joint Stock Company (JSC).

The choice affects governance, taxation, and reporting.

Step 2: Register the company

Registration is completed through the relevant state channels and requires:

• constituent documents;
• founders’ decision;
• identification documents;
• registration filing.

Step 3: Open a corporate bank account

Banks may request:

• business plan;
• legal address confirmation;
• identity and authority documents for management.

Step 4: Obtain licenses and permits

Depending on the chosen activity, the company must obtain the relevant authorization before launching operations.

Taxation of cryptocurrencies in Kazakhstan

Tax treatment in Kazakhstan depends heavily on whether the activity is conducted within the AIFC framework and whether the company is licensed by AFSA.

According to your source text:

• AIFC participants licensed to provide financial services may benefit from exemptions from CIT and VAT in certain cases;
• tax treatment depends on whether the income falls within the protected AIFC framework or under ordinary taxable activity;
• separate accounting must be maintained for exempt and taxable income;
• property tax and land tax may still apply in some cases;
• foreign individuals employed by qualifying AIFC participants may also benefit from tax exemptions on employment income.

This makes the tax outcome highly dependent on licensing status, corporate structure, and the precise nature of the services provided.

Obligations for conducting crypto business in Kazakhstan

Licensed companies must maintain ongoing communication with AFSA and comply with continuing obligations.

The main obligations include:

• maintaining qualified management and governance;
• employing AML/CFT and compliance personnel;
• keeping internal policies and procedures up to date;
• maintaining minimum capital;
• paying the annual supervisory fee;
• completing annual audits;
• filing required reports and notifications.

Ongoing compliance is a core part of operating lawfully under the AIFC framework.

Liability for non-compliance

The source text indicates that failure to comply with these obligations may result in corporate and financial sanctions. The regulator has authority to take supervisory and enforcement measures where companies breach applicable rules.

Depending on the severity of the breach, this may include suspension, restrictions, or other regulatory consequences.

Conclusion

A cryptocurrency license in Kazakhstan allows companies to operate lawfully in a developing but regulated digital asset market under the supervision of the AIFC and AFSA. The jurisdiction offers a modern legal framework, access to financial infrastructure, a relatively structured licensing regime, and substantial long-term strategic potential.

At the same time, operating in Kazakhstan requires proper legal structuring, compliance with digital asset legislation, AML/CFT readiness, internal policies, local presence requirements, and ongoing reporting.

Bergerslegal assists clients through every stage of the process — from company setup and document preparation to licensing, compliance implementation, and post-registration support.