Kazakhstan Legalizes Nationwide Crypto Mining and Trading Outside AIFC

Kazakhstan has taken a significant step toward embracing digital assets with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signing amendments to the country's artificial intelligence and digitalization law. The new provisions permit cryptocurrency mining and circulation beyond the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC), marking a departure from previous restrictions that favored AIFC-registered entities.

The legislation, effective 60 days after publication, grants individual entrepreneurs and legal entities the right to mine cryptocurrencies. While unsecured crypto assets can now circulate nationwide, service providers must obtain regulatory licenses. Kazakhstani miners gain flexibility in selling their assets, no longer bound to AIFC exchanges.

Data protection measures accompany the reforms, with personal information processing periods now limited to the duration necessary for achieving stated collection purposes. This regulatory shift follows Kazakhstan's announcement of plans to establish a $1 billion national crypto reserve.