AIFC recognised among global leaders in implementing IOSCO digital asset standards
The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has been recognised by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) among the world’s leading jurisdictions in implementing global standards for regulating crypto and digital asset markets.
The recognition comes as part of the IOSCO Thematic Review “Assessing the Implementation of IOSCO Recommendations for Crypto and Digital Asset Markets”, published in October 2025. Out of more than 130 IOSCO member jurisdictions, only 20 were selected for this global assessment – representing the most developed frameworks for investor protection, market integrity, and responsible innovation.
“The AIFC has been recognised among the four leading jurisdictions in the world successfully implementing IOSCO recommendations in the regulation of digital assets. We will continue to consistently develop this area. Our key goal is to ensure the most comfortable, transparent, and secure environment for all users of digital assets,” said AIFC Governor Renat Bekturov.
The AIFC was identified among those demonstrating the highest level of progress, with all ten priority IOSCO recommendations fully implemented and in force as of 31 July 2025. This places Kazakhstan among the top jurisdictions globally for establishing transparent and secure regulation of digital assets.
The IOSCO report contains over 30 positive references to the AIFC’s digital asset regulatory framework, including five examples where it is cited as a best practice in implementing international recommendations.
Highlights of AIFC achievements
- belongs to ten jurisdictions that have established strong governance standards for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs)[1];
- is among eleven jurisdictions ensuring full transparency and disclosure of roles and trading conflicts by CASPs;
- is part of twelve jurisdictions that have introduced comprehensive measures to combat fraud, market abuse, and insider trading;
- is one of nineteen jurisdictions maintaining extensive international cooperation, including over 60 MoUs with global regulators and IOSCO membership frameworks;
- is among a few jurisdictions that fully implemented all custody-related recommendations, including daily reconciliation of client assets and annual independent audits of stablecoin reserves;
- is one of eight jurisdictions with full implementation of retail client protection, requiring CASPs to assess client suitability and handle complaints transparently.
Through its regulatory sandbox (FinTech Lab) comprehensive and forward-looking regulatory regime established under the AIFC Acts, the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) has built a balanced environment that encourages financial innovation while ensuring the highest levels of investor protection and operational resilience.
This recognition positions Kazakhstan and AIFC among global leaders in shaping fair, robust, transparent, and innovation-driven digital asset ecosystem, reinforcing the country’s role as a trusted regulatory hub within the Eurasian region.
Reference:
The Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) is the independent regulator of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), which is established in accordance with the Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the Astana International Financial Centre” for the purposes of regulating financial services and related activities in the AIFC. AFSA administers the AIFC Regulations and Rules and is responsible for the authorisation, registration, recognition and supervision of financial firms and market institutions in the AIFC.
Over 4,500 firms from more than 85 countries are registered in the AIFC. These firms provide banking, insurance, investment, professional and other services. The range of financial services offered at the AIFC is comparable to the list of services available in long-established financial centers of the world, such as London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and others. www.afsa.kz
The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is an independent jurisdiction with a favourable legal and regulatory environment and a developed infrastructure for starting and doing business, attracting investment, creating jobs and developing Kazakhstan’s economy. https://aifc.kz/
Contact information:
Public Relations and Communications Division of AFSA: +7 (717) 264 73 43; +7 7172 61-37-45 email: [email protected]
[1] CASP is defined in the IOSCO Policy Recommendations for Crypto and Digital Asset Markets Final Report as “service providers that conduct a wide range of activities relating to crypto-assets, including but not limited to, admission to trading, trading (as agent or principal), operating a market, custody, and other activities such as services relating to lending/staking of crypto-assets and the promotion, marketing and distribution of crypto-assets on behalf of others
