Astana International Financial Centre Free Zone

The AIFC operates a crypto-friendly regulatory environment under the AIFC Framework for Regulation of Digital Asset Activities, with active regulatory development and cooperation with international regulators.

Overview

Statuscrypto_friendly
Risk Score15/100 (Low Risk)
Regioncentral asia
CurrencyKZT

Tax Information

Capital Gains (Personal)0% within AIFC (exempt from Kazakhstan individual income tax for AIFC participants until 2066)
Capital Gains (Corporate)0% corporate income tax for AIFC participants (50-year exemption until 2066)
VAT on CryptoNo
Staking Tax0% within AIFC for qualifying participants
Airdrop Tax0% within AIFC for qualifying participants

AIFC offers a 50-year tax exemption (until 2066) for qualifying participants, including 0% corporate income tax, 0% individual income tax on AIFC-sourced income, and 0% capital gains tax. This applies to AIFC-registered entities and their employees.

Licensing & Registration

RequiredYes
RegulatorAFSA
FrameworkAIFC Rules on Digital Asset Activities (AIFC Rules No. FR0006 of 2023, current version V5 effective 1 January 2026)
Easemedium
Cost (USD)$15,000 - $100,000

Licensing is managed by AFSA with multiple regulated activity types and ongoing framework enhancements.

Enforcement Activity

Level: Low

No significant enforcement actions reported; jurisdiction actively encourages crypto business

AML / KYC

KYC RequiredYes
Travel RuleYes
FATF MemberNo
FATF Statusfsrb_only
FATF BodyEAG
Suspicious-Activity ReportingYes

DeFi, Stablecoins & NFTs

Status: regulated

DeFi activities are regulated under the AIFC digital asset framework with clear guidelines.

Stablecoins

Status: regulated

Stablecoins are regulated within the AIFC digital asset regulatory framework with specific requirements.

NFTs

Status: no_rules

No specific NFT regulation; generally permitted

Mining

LegalYes
Electricity Cost$0.04/kWh
Renewable Energy25%
Infrastructuregood

Mining is legal with competitive electricity costs and moderate renewable energy usage. Infrastructure is rated good for data centers and internet connectivity.

Geopolitical Risk

Stabilitystable
SanctionsNo
Corruption Index45/100
Banking Accessmoderate

Risk Factors

AIFC benefits from Kazakhstan's stable political environment and moderate corruption levels. No international sanctions apply. Some regional geopolitical risks exist but overall environment is supportive for crypto business.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cryptocurrency legal in Astana International Financial Centre?

The AIFC operates a crypto-friendly regulatory environment under the AIFC Framework for Regulation of Digital Asset Activities, with active regulatory development and cooperation with international regulators.

What is the FATF status of Astana International Financial Centre?

Astana International Financial Centre is classified by FATF as: fsrb_only.

Are VASPs licensed in Astana International Financial Centre?

Yes, licensing is required for VASPs.

What is the AML/KYC regime in Astana International Financial Centre?

KYC is mandatory for crypto businesses.

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Last reviewed: 2026-06-01 · Data source: Soken Crypto Legal Map

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