CRYPTO LICENSE · REGULATION · COMPLIANCE
Kazakhstan — Crypto License (AIFC) • 2025
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Kazakhstan Crypto License (AIFC) — pricing, process, and key requirements (2025).

General Overview

Kazakhstan has positioned the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) as a dedicated zone for digital-asset businesses, overseen by the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA). Since 2020 and refined under the Law on Digital Assets (Feb 6, 2023), the AIFC offers a license-based regime with clear institutional backing, business-friendly taxation, and an English-language, common-law court system.

Only businesses inside the AIFC may conduct regulated crypto activities; outside the zone, such activities are restricted. Global exchanges have established AIFC subsidiaries, leveraging tax advantages and streamlined operational setup.

License Scope & Models
  • Digital Asset Trading Facility (DATF): exchange operations (fiat-to-crypto / crypto-to-crypto).
  • Custody: safeguarding and administering client digital assets.
  • FinTech Lab (Sandbox): supervised environment to pilot innovative models beyond standard exchange/custody.

Large platforms often begin in the FinTech Lab, then pursue full authorization once the model is proven and scaled.

Process & Timeline

End-to-end expectation: ~6–9 months. Incorporation and licensing progress in parallel under AFSA.

  1. Preparation (≈ 2–3 weeks): business plan, projections, AML/CFT & KYC frameworks, senior management mapping.
  2. AIFC incorporation & substance (≈ 4–6 weeks): form entity, lease office, hire AML/Compliance, deposit capital.
  3. AFSA review (≈ 6 months): DATF/Custody or FinTech Lab application + regulator Q&A to approval.
Minimum Requirements
  • AIFC company and office
  • Share capital ≥ 6 months OpEx (≥ USD 200,000 minimum)
  • Authorization fee ≈ USD 70,000; annual supervision ≈ USD 25,000
  • Local staff: AML Officer + Compliance Officer
  • Board roles: CEO, CFO, CTO, Director (min. four)
  • Policies: AML/CFT, KYC/CDD, cybersecurity, custody segregation, BCP/DR
  • Kazakh business bank account required
  • Trading and custody should remain functionally segregated
Legal & Regulatory Backdrop

Law on Digital Assets (2023) + AFSA rulebooks govern the framework. DATF is treated as a market activity; Custody as a regulated financial service. The AIFC public register lists licensees and permissions.

Taxation
  • 0% Corporate Income Tax for qualifying AIFC activities
  • VAT exemptions may apply to eligible financial services
  • Personal income tax relief for AIFC-employed staff (where applicable)
Ongoing Obligations
  • Annual audits and periodic regulatory returns
  • Maintain minimum capital and local staffing
  • Continuous AML/KYC, cybersecurity, and custody controls
  • Annual supervision fees and any variable charges
Advantages & Considerations
  • Institutional credibility + transparent licensing
  • Tax advantages inside AIFC
  • Requires real presence, governance, and compliance maturity
  • Longer timeline means structured project management is essential

CryptoWisely.io Insight

Kazakhstan’s AIFC combines institutional credibility with pragmatic tax benefits and regulatory transparency. It’s not a “paper setup”. Substance and compliance are mandatory, but the outcome is a serious regional base recognized by global counterparties.

Disclaimer: This summary is for information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Always verify the latest AFSA requirements before proceeding.