Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right licence scope and leads the file all the way to the AFSA decision, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Kazakhstan.
The AIFC in Astana runs Central Asia's serious crypto regime: AFSA licensing on English-law rails, tax exemptions until 2066, and a state that mines, regulates and builds CryptoCity, not one that hides.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Kazakhstan in brief
Central Asia's regulated crypto hub, built to a plan.
Kazakhstan put its crypto industry inside the Astana International Financial Centre - a jurisdiction with its own English-law framework, its own court, and its own regulator, the AFSA, which licenses digital-asset trading facilities, brokers and custodians. The numbers are unusually concrete - AFSA publishes them itself: a US$98,000 authorisation fee for a trading facility (lower tiers for brokerage and custody), a US$30,000 fixed annual supervision fee plus activity-based charges, capital at the higher of US$200,000 or twelve months of working capital, and five to seven months to licence in practice, and corporate-tax and VAT exemptions for licensed financial firms running until 1 January 2066.
Around the Centre, the state leans in rather than away: legal mining with mandatory exchange quotas - 75% of mined assets sold through licensed AIFC venues since 2025 - the CryptoCity pilot for retail crypto payments, and a government that counts digital assets in its development strategy. For exchanges serving Central Asia, miners formalising flows, and funds wanting English-law paper next to the region's liquidity, the AIFC is the desk.
Central Asia's regulated hub: AFSA licences on English-law rails, published AFSA fees (US$98k authorisation for an exchange), 5-7 months to licence.
Around it: 0% CIT/VAT until 2066, the 75% mandatory mining flow through licensed venues, and the CryptoCity pilot. We run it from our Astana office.
Licence types
AFSA licences - exchange, brokerage, custody, mining.
The AFSA authorises digital-asset activities inside the AIFC's own legal system. The flagship is the trading-facility licence; brokerage, custody and mining-linked authorisations complete the stack. All under one regulator and one English-law court.
AFSA licenses exchanges, brokers, custodians and mining inside the AIFC's English-law system.
01 - AFSA · TRADING FACILITY
Digital asset exchange
The licence for operating a digital-asset trading facility in the AIFC. The venue category held by the exchanges that formalised Kazakhstan's market.
The licence for operating a digital-asset trading facility in the AIFC. The venue category held by the exchanges that formalised Kazakhstan's market.
- ✓Operating a digital-asset trading facility
- ✓Fiat on/off-ramps through partner banks
- ✓Capital - higher of US$200,000 or 12 months' costs
- ✓Authorisation US$98,000 · supervision from US$30,000/yr
- ✓5-7 months to licence in practice
- ✓Access to the 75% mandatory mining flow
02 - BROKERAGE · CUSTODY · MINING
0% tax until 2066The rest of the stack
Brokerage and custody licences for client-facing services, mining authorisations for the industrial side. All inside the AIFC's exemption regime running to 1 January 2066.
Brokerage, custody and mining. All inside the 0%-until-2066 exemption regime.
- ✓Digital-asset brokerage and dealing
- ✓Custody of client digital assets
- ✓Mining licences and pool operations
- ✓Local AML/compliance officers required
- ✓CIT and VAT exemptions to 1 January 2066
- ✓AIFC court - English-law dispute resolution
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. For a trading facility, capital is the higher of US$200,000 or twelve months of working capital; the US$98,000 authorisation fee and US$30,000+ annual supervision (per the AIFC Fees Rules), plus third-party costs, are itemised in your quote. Brokerage and custody carry lower fee tiers.
Why Kazakhstan
English-law rails, concrete numbers, a state that leans in.
The framework is the AIFC's own: AFSA rulebooks on an English-law foundation with a dedicated court. A common-law island purpose-built for finance, now running Central Asia's digital-asset regime.
✓
A real regulator, small queue
The AFSA authorises and supervises every Centre participant. Directors and key staff included. With the responsiveness of a young regulator and none of the multi-year backlogs of the famous desks.AFSA vets people personally, and answers its phone.
✓
Numbers you can plan on
The AIFC Fees Rules put it in writing: US$98,000 to authorise a trading facility, US$30,000 fixed annual supervision plus activity charges, capital at the higher of US$200,000 or twelve months of working capital. Few regulators publish the equation this openly.Published fees: US$98k + US$30k/yr; capital US$200k/12-mo.
✓
0% until 2066 - in statute
Licensed financial firms in the AIFC are exempt from corporate income tax and VAT until 1 January 2066. A constitutional-law-backed regime, not an annual budget promise.CIT and VAT exemptions anchored in constitutional law.
✓
The mining flow is mandatory
Since 2025, 75% of domestically mined assets must be sold through licensed AIFC exchanges. A captive institutional flow the licence itself unlocks.75% of national mining routes through licensed venues.
✓
An English-law court next door
The AIFC Court and International Arbitration Centre run on English law with international judges. Contracts and disputes live on familiar rails.AIFC Court with international judges.
✓
CryptoCity and the retail pilot
The state's CryptoCity pilot tests retail crypto payments, and digital assets sit in the national development agenda. The direction of travel is written down.The direction of travel is written down.
How it compares
How Kazakhstan differs from other routes.
The AIFC competes on arithmetic and access: lower cost than the Gulf, faster than the EU's slow desks, and the only regulated seat next to Central Asian liquidity and the mining flow.
Kazakhstan vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Kazakhstan (AIFC) | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Tax on licensed firms | 0% CIT/VAT to 2066 | 9-25% typical |
| Capital formula | Six months of opex | Fixed floors €50k-€2M+ |
| Licensing speed | 5-7 months | 4-12+ months |
| Captive flow | 75% of national mining | None |
Tax on licensed firms
Kazakhstan (AIFC)0% CIT/VAT to 2066
Other jurisdictions9-25% typical
Capital formula
Kazakhstan (AIFC)Six months of opex
Other jurisdictionsFixed floors €50k-€2M+
Licensing speed
Kazakhstan (AIFC)5-7 months
Other jurisdictions4-12+ months
Captive flow
Kazakhstan (AIFC)75% of national mining
Other jurisdictionsNone
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | AFSA - exchange / broker / custody | 0% in AIFC to 2066 | Opex-based capital, 5-7 months |
 UAE (Dubai) | VARA VASP by activity | 9% CIT · 0% personal | Substance-heavy, 3-9 months |
 Czech Republic | MiCA CASP (ČNB) | 21% CIT | EU passport, 4-6 months |
 Türkiye | CMB regime (2024-25 rules) | 25% CIT | New framework, forming practice |
KazakhstanLicense typeAFSA - exchange / broker / custody
Taxation0% in AIFC to 2066
RequirementsOpex-based capital, 5-7 months
UAE (Dubai)License typeVARA VASP by activity
Taxation9% CIT · 0% personal
RequirementsSubstance-heavy, 3-9 months
Czech RepublicLicense typeMiCA CASP (ČNB)
Taxation21% CIT
RequirementsEU passport, 4-6 months
TürkiyeLicense typeCMB regime (2024-25 rules)
Taxation25% CIT
RequirementsNew framework, forming practice
Before you apply
Requirements for an AFSA licence.Requirements for an AFSA licence.
The AFSA assesses the same fundamentals as the bigger desks. Governance, capital, AML. With a published fee-and-capital equation and a regulator you can actually reach.
01
AIFC participant. A company registered in the Centre with a real presence in Astana.
02
Capital. For a trading facility, the higher of US$200,000 or twelve months of working capital, evidenced and maintained.
03
Fees. US$98,000 authorisation for a trading facility (lower tiers for brokerage and custody), then US$30,000 fixed annual supervision plus activity-based charges.
04
Fit & proper management. The AFSA vets directors and key employees personally.
05
Local compliance staffing. An AML specialist and compliance officer in Kazakhstan (combinable at the start).
06
Business plan. Services, volumes, custody and settlement design the regulator can test.
07
AML/CFT framework. KYC, monitoring, reporting to the AFM, travel-rule readiness.
08
Technology and custody controls. Key management, segregation and audit trails.
09
Banking arrangements. Tenge and hard-currency rails through partner banks.
10
For exchanges: admission criteria and the mechanics to receive the 75% mining flow.
11
Two-year licence cycle. Renewal diligence planned from day one.
01
AIFC participant with Astana presence.
02
Capital. US$200k or 12 months' costs (exchange).
03
US$98,000 authorisation · US$30,000+/yr supervision.
04
Directors and key staff vetted personally.
05
Local AML and compliance officers.
06
Business plan the regulator can test.
07
AML/CFT. KYC, monitoring, travel rule.
08
Technology and custody controls.
09
Banking rails in tenge and hard currency.
10
Two-year licence cycle planned from day one.
Reflects AFSA rulebooks and AIFC practice as of 2026. The AIFC's own English-law court hears disputes. An underrated advantage at contract time.AFSA rulebooks and AIFC practice, 2026. Disputes go to the AIFC's English-law court.
How it works
From first call to an AFSA licence.
01
Scoping and structure
Exchange, brokerage, custody or the mining side. We map the licence set, size the opex-based capital and fix the plan in writing.Licence set and opex-based capital - in writing.
02
AIFC participation
Centre registration, Astana presence and the governance the AFSA vets. Directors and key staff included.Registration and vetted governance.
03
The application file
Business plan, AML/CFT pack, custody and settlement design. Submitted with the authorisation fee per the AIFC Fees Rules.Plans and packs. Filed per the AIFC Fees Rules.
04
AFSA review
Clarification rounds and interviews over five to seven months. We answer every question on your behalf.5-7 months of rounds. We answer them.
05
Launch and supervision
Ongoing supervision reporting under the AFSA's rules and - for exchanges. The mining-flow mechanics switched on.Reporting, ongoing supervision, mining flow on.
Quick facts
RegulatorAFSA
Capital (exchange)US$200k / 12-mo costs
Authorisation (exchange)US$98,000
Supervisionfrom US$30,000 / yr
In practice5-7 months
Registration feeUS$500 · portal
AIFC tax0% to 1 Jan 2066
CourtAIFC - English law
Timeframes assume a complete file; the AFSA vets people personally, so candidate readiness matters.
On the ground in Kazakhstan
Run from our Astana office.
Prifinance - Kazakhstan
Astana · Kazakhstan
Astana, Kazakhstan
01
AIFC participation and setup
Centre registration, office arrangements in Astana and the participant structure the AFSA expects to see.Registration, Astana presence, participant structure.
02
The application file
Business plan, AML pack, custody and settlement design. Drafted by us and defended through the AFSA's questions.Plans, AML and custody design. Defended at the AFSA.
03
Compliance staffing
The local AML and compliance officers the rules require. Recruited, trained and payrolled to fit your budget.Local officers recruited and trained to fit.
04
Banking and the mining flow
Tenge and hard-currency rails through partner banks, and the mechanics to plug into the 75% mandatory mining flow.Rails plus the 75% flow mechanics.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
Good to know
Taxation of crypto companies in Kazakhstan.
Inside the AIFC the headline is statutory and long-dated: licensed financial firms pay no corporate income tax and no VAT until 1 January 2066. Outside the Centre, ordinary Kazakh rules apply. The structure decides.
0% CIT in the AIFC
Licensed Centre participants are exempt from corporate income tax on qualifying financial-services income until 1 January 2066. A regime anchored in the AIFC's constitutional statute.Licensed income exempt until 1 January 2066.
0% VAT in the AIFC
The same exemption covers VAT on licensed financial services. Exchange fees and commissions stay clean of the 12% standard rate.Fees and commissions clean of the 12% rate.
Property and land taxes apply
The exemptions are precise: real estate and land used by AIFC firms remain taxable. A modest, predictable carve-out.Real estate and land stay taxable.
Outside the Centre: 20%
Kazakh companies beyond the AIFC pay 20% CIT and 12% VAT, which is why the licence and the tax position are designed together.Ordinary CIT and 12% VAT - structure decides.
Mining economics
Miners pay electricity-linked levies and must sell 75% of output through licensed AIFC exchanges. Formalised, bankable flows in exchange for the quota.Levies + the 75% quota through licensed venues.
Personal rates stay low
Personal income tax is a flat 10%. Founder and staff economics remain among the lightest in the region.Flat 10% personal income tax.
Tax summary
AIFC licensed firms - CIT0% to 2066
AIFC licensed firms - VAT0% to 2066
Outside AIFC - CIT20%
Standard VAT12%
Personal income tax10% flat
Mining sale quota75% via AIFC venues
Tax treaties50+
*Figures as of 2026. The AIFC exemption covers licensed financial-services income. We map qualifying and non-qualifying flows before you commit.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: AIFC participant company, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a live, AFSA-licensed business.
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Kazakhstan · AIFC / AFSA
Launch your crypto project in Central Asia with expert support.
Full-service assistance - from AIFC participation to the AFSA licence, banking and the mining flow.
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Is Kazakhstan the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which licence set, structure, or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Kazakhstan crypto licence - what clients ask.
What licence does a crypto business need in Kazakhstan?+
An AFSA licence inside the AIFC - digital-asset trading facility for exchanges, plus brokerage, custody and mining-linked authorisations. Outside the Centre, retail crypto exchange remains restricted to the licensed perimeter, which is precisely what makes the licence valuable.
What are the actual numbers?+
Per the AIFC Fees Rules: a US$98,000 authorisation fee for a digital-asset trading facility (brokerage and custody sit in lower tiers), US$30,000 fixed annual supervision plus activity-based charges, and capital at the higher of US$200,000 or twelve months of working capital. In practice, five to seven months to licence; minimum share capital for the entity itself is nominal.
Is the 0%-until-2066 tax regime real?+
Yes - licensed AIFC financial firms are exempt from corporate income tax and VAT on qualifying income until 1 January 2066 under the Centre's constitutional statute. Property and land taxes still apply, and non-qualifying income is taxed normally - we map the split.
What is the mandatory mining flow?+
Kazakhstan is a top-tier mining country, and since 2025 miners must sell 75% of domestically mined assets through licensed AIFC exchanges. For a licensed venue that is captive institutional flow; for miners it is the price of formal, bankable operations.
What substance does the AFSA expect?+
A real AIFC participant: presence in Astana, vetted directors and key employees, and local AML and compliance officers - combinable in one person at the start, separated as you scale.
How does the AIFC court work?+
The Centre runs its own court and arbitration centre on English law with international judges - contracts, custody terms and disputes live on common-law rails rather than in the general Kazakh system.
What AML obligations apply?+
AFSA rulebook AML/CFT: KYC and monitoring, reporting to the financial-monitoring authorities, travel-rule readiness and named compliance officers the regulator has vetted.
What about CryptoCity and retail payments?+
The CryptoCity pilot tests retail crypto payments in a designated zone - a signal of direction rather than a licence category. Retail exchange access nationally continues to route through licensed AIFC venues.
How are founders taxed?+
Personal income tax is a flat 10%, among the lightest in the region; dividends and salaries follow ordinary Kazakh rules unless AIFC-specific exemptions apply - we model the founder side with the corporate one.
Why Kazakhstan rather than the UAE or the EU?+
Arithmetic and access: a published capital formula, fees in five figures not six, 0% tax to 2066, the only regulated seat beside Central Asian liquidity, and the 75% mining flow no other jurisdiction can offer. The EU adds a passport, the Gulf adds prestige; many groups sequence accordingly.
What licence do I need?+
An AFSA licence in the AIFC - exchange, broker, custody or mining.
The numbers?+
US$98k authorisation (exchange), US$30k+/yr, capital US$200k or 12 months' costs.
Is 0% to 2066 real?+
Yes - statutory CIT/VAT exemption for licensed firms.
Mining flow?+
75% of mined assets must sell through licensed venues.
Substance?+
Astana presence, vetted people, local compliance.
The court?+
AIFC's own English-law court and arbitration.
AML rules?+
AFSA rulebooks: KYC, monitoring, travel rule.
CryptoCity?+
A retail-payments pilot - direction, not a licence.
Founder taxes?+
Flat 10% personal income tax.
Why Kazakhstan?+
Arithmetic, 0% to 2066 and the captive mining flow.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
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Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which AFSA licence set fits your project and what it will cost.
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Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the AFSA or the AIFC or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.