Kazakhstan’s National Bank Launches Crypto Card for Instant Fiat Conversion

Kazakhstan's central bank has introduced a crypto card enabling instant conversion of digital assets to fiat currency. The initiative, aligned with President Tokayev's digital economy vision, aims to streamline payments while maintaining regulatory compliance through partnerships with licensed crypto providers.

Five major banks—Halyk Bank, Forte, Freedom Bank, RBK Bank, and Altyn Bank—are participating in the pilot program. The card operates within the national payment infrastructure, converting crypto to fiat at point-of-sale through integration with AIFC-licensed providers.

The NBK's roadmap includes upcoming pilots for stablecoin settlements and tokenized investment assets, signaling broader institutional adoption of blockchain technology in Central Asia's financial ecosystem.