Kazakhstan Changes Cryptocurrency Mining Regulations
Date: 2025-11-20 Author: Oliver Abernathy Categories: IN WORLD
`Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has approved a new law that significantly overhauls the existing regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency sector. The document will come into force two months after its official publication and eliminates previous restrictions that concentrated key rights to mining and trading digital assets in the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC). Previously, companies registered in the AIFC enjoyed exclusive market access, which caused discontent among entrepreneurs operating outside the financial center.
The updated legal framework stipulates that both individual entrepreneurs and legal entities will be able to mine and conduct cryptocurrency transactions. However, access to these activities will require a license—the authorities retain control over market participants but are eliminating previous privileges granted to a limited number of organizations.
One of the key changes was the removal of the obligation to sell the majority of mined cryptocurrency through platforms located in the AIFC. Miners are now free to choose which platforms to use for their transactions, as well as to work with independent trading services without additional restrictions. This liberalization increases competition among exchanges and facilitates the entry of new players, which could potentially increase the size of the country's cryptocurrency sector.
Against the backdrop of these reforms, Kazakhstan's authorities are continuing to develop a strategy aimed at strengthening the country's position in the digital asset sector. The idea of creating a state crypto reserve, scheduled to be established in 2026, was previously discussed. According to the preliminary concept, it could accumulate assets worth up to $1 billion, including confiscated digital currencies and stakes in crypto-related companies. Such a reserve is seen as a tool for enhancing financial stability and expanding influence in the developing digital technology market.
The adopted changes demonstrate Kazakhstan's commitment to adapting to global trends and attracting additional investment in the rapidly growing sector. Relaxing regulatory barriers could facilitate the influx of new players and strengthen the country's position as a significant crypto mining hub in Eurasia.
