AIFC adds digital assets to investor tax residency with $150,000 minimum
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
The Astana International Financial Centre has added digital assets to its Investment Tax Residency Program, allowing foreign investors to qualify by holding licensed digital assets. Participants must maintain at least $150,000 in the new instrument, according to Inbusiness.kz. The change takes effect upon publication on the AIFC website, expanding a program previously limited to equities, securities and fund units.
Expanded Investment Menu
AIFC's Investment Tax Residency Program now includes digital assets alongside equities, participation interests, fund units, AIX-listed securities and charter capital of AIFC-registered companies. Foreign investors may acquire digital assets through operators licensed by the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA). The previous minimum for equities and securities was $60,000, according to Inbusiness.kz.
Threshold and Eligibility
The digital asset option requires a minimum of $150,000 held throughout participation in the program, double the $60,000 minimum for earlier instruments. Applicants must be over 18, not hold Kazakh citizenship and not have been a Kazakh tax resident in the past 20 years, according to Inbusiness.kz. The program grants a long-term investor visa and simplified tax residency.
Regulatory Context
AIFC said the expansion aligns with Kazakhstan's 2026 presidential decree on stimulating the digital asset industry. Director of the AIFC Expat Centre Ainur Zhumatova said the program provides access to investment opportunities in the AIFC ecosystem and supports digital assets as part of the country's financial technology architecture. The new instrument is introduced from the date of publication on the AIFC official website.
What's Next
The AIFC is set to publish the updated program act on its official website, triggering the inclusion of digital assets. It remains unclear how many foreign investors will use the new $150,000 digital asset route or whether AFSA will adjust licensing requirements for operators.
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AIFC adds digital assets to investor tax residency with $150,000 minimum
