Kazakhstan has approved a comprehensive package of measures to build its digital financial services ecosystem through the 'On Measures to Stimulate and Develop the Digital Assets Industry in the Republic of Kazakhstan' decree signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. According to reports from AMBCrypto, CoinTurk News, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, and the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development (MAIDD), the document was prepared by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development in cooperation with the National Bank of Kazakhstan, government agencies, and the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The initiative is expected to establish the foundation for the systematic development of the regulated digital assets market, expand the adoption of financial technologies, and strengthen the sector's investment appeal. As reported by Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Gizzat Baitursynov, the goal is to create a predictable legal environment that supports innovation while maintaining strong consumer protections and regulatory oversight.
The new framework introduces measures to encourage stablecoin adoption and provide faster payment options for businesses through developing mechanisms for using stablecoins in international settlements. According to AMBCrypto, CoinTurk News, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, and the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development (MAIDD), the government plans to establish mechanisms that allow businesses to use stablecoins when paying for imports or receiving payments from international customers. This initiative aims to provide companies with faster and more flexible payment options alongside traditional banking channels, with authorities planning to establish mechanisms that allow digital assets and stablecoins to be used in cross-border settlements, giving Kazakh companies additional tools for export and import transactions. The central objective is to expand the use of stablecoins and other digital assets for cross-border settlements, positioning Kazakhstan as a regional leader in regulated digital finance. As reported by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development (MAIDD), the plan includes creating mechanisms that allow digital assets and stablecoins to be used in cross-border settlements—effectively adding them to the country's operational toolkit for export and import activity.
The regulatory framework includes significant tax relief measures for cryptocurrency users, as reported by AMBCrypto, CoinTurk News, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, and the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development (MAIDD). The document seeks exemption from personal income tax on income from digital asset transactions conducted through Kazakhstan's regulated infrastructure, provided those trades take place through licensed cryptocurrency platforms operating within Kazakhstan. However, users will be required to disclose their crypto ownership on foreign, unregulated platforms and create conditions for the voluntary disclosure of digital assets previously held on foreign unregulated platforms, followed by their transfer to licensed domestic service providers. This condition is designed to encourage citizens to transfer their holdings from unlicensed foreign venues to domestic regulated platforms to enjoy these tax reliefs. The government also wants to reduce the amount of cryptocurrency held on foreign platforms, with individuals able to voluntarily declare offshore holdings and transfer them to licensed domestic service providers. According to the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development (MAIDD), the tax benefit is likely to be a key differentiator for traders and users deciding where to custody, transact, or obtain services, with the tax benefit potentially making licensed domestic platforms more attractive, particularly for participants who otherwise would have relied on offshore exchanges or wallets.
The decree establishes a comprehensive crypto mining framework with specific energy allocation measures, as reported by AMBCrypto, CoinTurk News, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, and the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development (MAIDD). The proposal creates a mechanism to allocate excess electricity generated by the state to crypto mining through a separate section focused on improving energy resource utilization. The new framework introduces opportunities for Kazakhstan's growing Bitcoin mining industry, with mining companies now permitted to use associated petroleum gas and surplus natural gas that would otherwise go unused to generate electricity for mining operations. This builds on Kazakhstan's existing 70/30 energy model, which allows data centers and cryptocurrency miners to utilize up to 70% of newly created electricity capacity resulting from infrastructure upgrades. The policy aims to improve energy efficiency while supporting further investment in digital infrastructure, with authorities expecting this approach to attract investment to the regions and improve the efficiency of energy resource utilization. Following shifts in global cryptocurrency mining activity, Kazakhstan became one of the world's leading destinations for industrial-scale Bitcoin mining because of its significant energy resources and strategic geographic location. The government referenced Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance (CCAF) information from 2022, stating Kazakhstan ranked third globally by estimated Bitcoin mining hash rate.
Beyond cryptocurrencies and mining, the decree outlines broader ambitions for tokenized finance, instructing regulators to develop a national framework for tokenized financial instruments and expand domestic digital trading infrastructure, as reported by AMBCrypto, CoinTurk News, CoinDesk, Cointelegraph, and the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development (MAIDD). These initiatives reflect Kazakhstan's broader strategy of integrating blockchain technology into its financial markets while attracting institutional investment through regulated digital asset products. According to CoinDesk, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev said the decree would serve as the strategic foundation for Kazakhstan's transition to a new generation digital economy, with the government intending to create conditions under which digital assets become financial instruments that are as familiar and secure as traditional ones. Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Gizzat Baitursynov noted that the new measures would provide predictable operating conditions for all market participants, from mining companies to financial institutions, while reinforcing Kazakhstan's position as a regional center for digital financial solutions. Over the past 2 years, Kazakhstan implemented several initiatives including establishing a state digital assets fund, launching a pilot project for a tenge-backed national stablecoin, approving cryptocurrency cards through the National Bank of Kazakhstan, and several other initiatives, with the country also adopting a comprehensive regulatory framework for the digital assets market in January 2026.
