AIFC digital asset operations grow 30-fold to $10.5 billion

September 15, 2026 at 10:59 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The volume of digital asset operations in the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) grew more than 30-fold to $10.5 billion in 2025, up from $320 million in 2023. The number of licensed providers reached 35, including Binance and Bybit, while the client base expanded to 270,000 people. The growth was announced at a government meeting by Yerkegali Yedenbayev, Managing Director of the AIFC Financial Services Regulatory Committee's Licensing and Financial Technologies Office.

Key Facts

Digital asset operations in the AIFC reached $10.5 billion in 2025, up from $320 million in 2023, a more than 30-fold increase.
In the first half of 2026, digital asset operations totaled $5.47 billion.
The AIFC has licensed 35 digital asset service providers, including 11 exchanges, 16 investment service providers, and 8 payment organizations.
The client base grew from 53,000 in 2023 to 270,000, an increase of over 400%.
The AIFC plans to develop a mechanism for recognizing AIFC-issued digital assets as digital financial assets in Kazakhstan.

Market Growth

The regulated digital asset market in the AIFC grew more than 30-fold in a short period, according to Yerkegali Yedenbayev, Managing Director of the AIFC Financial Services Regulatory Committee's Licensing and Financial Technologies Office. In 2023, the volume of operations on licensed platforms was approximately $320 million, and by the end of 2025 it exceeded $10.5 billion. In the first half of 2026, operations reached $5.47 billion. The client base expanded from about 53,000 people in 2023 to 270,000, an increase of 400%.

Licensed Providers

The AIFC has licensed 35 providers of digital asset services. Among them are 11 digital asset exchanges, including Binance, the world's largest crypto exchange, and Bybit, the fourth-largest. There are also 16 investment service providers and 8 payment organizations, including 3 stablecoin issuers.

Future Development

The next stage of development is linked to the implementation of the President of Kazakhstan's decree on stimulating and developing the digital asset industry. One of the key directions is the development of a mechanism for recognizing AIFC-issued digital assets as digital financial assets in Kazakhstan. Their use in international trade is being considered, which would speed up payments and reduce operational costs.