20.08.2026•8 min

Cryptocurrency Legalization in Kazakhstan: How to Legally Accept Payments in 2026

CryptoMarket Analytics Department

AI Summary: A comprehensive review of the new regulations by AIFC and the National Bank of Kazakhstan. In 2026, businesses received clear rules for operating with digital assets, paving the way for institutional investments.

Global Changes in Kazakhstan's Legislation in 2026

For a long time, the status of cryptocurrencies in Kazakhstan remained in a grey area, but with the adoption of legislative amendments in 2026, the situation changed dramatically. AIFC (Astana International Financial Centre) together with the National Bank of Kazakhstan developed and implemented a comprehensive package of regulatory acts. These documents finally cemented the status of backed digital financial assets (DFAs) and cryptocurrencies in the country's economy.

Key Regulatory Acts

Licensing of operators: Absolutely all platforms dealing with the exchange of fiat funds for cryptocurrencies are now required to obtain an AFSA (Astana Financial Services Authority) license. Operating without a license results in immediate blocking of bank accounts.
Tax Code: Corporate income tax (CIT) rates on capital gains from digital assets have been approved. This allows large businesses to fully legalize their crypto portfolios.
Anti-Money Laundering (AML/CFT): Any transaction over 1,000 USD now requires mandatory identity verification (KYC). This is a FATF standard that makes the Kazakh market safe for international investors.

Integration of Crypto Acquiring for Kazakh Business

For entrepreneurs, the new rules open up unprecedented opportunities. The integration of crypto acquiring allows accepting payments in stablecoins (e.g., USDT, USDC), which is especially relevant for cross-border trade. Blockchain transfer fees (e.g., Solana or Tron) are fractions of a cent, whereas traditional SWIFT transfers can take a percentage of the amount and take days.

Step-by-Step Plan for Legalizing Crypto Payments:

1. Opening a corporate account on a licensed AIFC crypto exchange (Binance KZ, Bybit KZ, etc.).
2. Integrating an authorized processing payment gateway on the company's website.
3. Automatic conversion of cryptocurrency into tenge to comply with the currency legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The implementation of these standards places Kazakhstan on par with advanced crypto jurisdictions such as Dubai (UAE) and Switzerland.