The President of Kazakhstan met with Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.
Date: 2025-10-03 Author: Gabriel Deangelo Categories: BUSINESS, IN WORLD
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with Binance crypto exchange founder Changpeng Zhao at the Digital Bridge 2025 forum, according to the presidential press service. During the meeting, Tokayev noted Zhao's significant contribution to the development of the global cryptocurrency and fintech ecosystem.
According to the official website, cooperation between Kazakhstan and Binance began in 2022, when a memorandum was signed to establish a regional crypto hub based on Binance Lab. Since then, the country has been actively implementing innovative projects in blockchain technology and digital assets.
Zhao shared on social media that the situation has changed significantly in three years: Binance received a license to operate in Kazakhstan, launched a tenge-pegged stablecoin, and created a state crypto reserve, the first asset of which was the BNB token.
On September 23, the National Bank of Kazakhstan announced the launch of a pilot project to issue a tenge-denominated stablecoin as part of the digital asset regulatory sandbox. The token was issued by the Intebix crypto exchange with the participation of the Solana Foundation, Mastercard, and Eurasian Bank.
On September 29, the Alem Crypto Fund, created by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan, launched. The fund is focused on long-term investments in digital assets and the formation of reserves. Binance Kazakhstan became the fund's strategic partner, and its first investment was the acquisition of BNB tokens. The transaction amount was not disclosed.
Earlier, at the Digital Bridge 2025 forum, Tokayev met with Telegram founder Pavel Durov. Cybersecurity, education, and artificial intelligence were discussed. The President praised Telegram's work, and Durov announced the launch of the messenger's AI lab in the country. A year ago, Telegram's first regional office opened in Kazakhstan, and the messenger became a member of the Astana Hub.
In the summer of 2024, Durov held talks with Minister of Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev. Following this, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (AFSA) authorized trading of the cryptocurrency Toncoin (TON), closely associated with Telegram, on licensed exchanges.
Following the official meetings, Zhao posted a photo with Durov, noting that they discussed their impressions of the trip and the development of digital technologies in both countries.
