Central Asia fintech news
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Kazakhstan forms unified Financial Ombudsman Service: new institution to launch January 1, 2027
Kazakhstan raises foreign currency deposit rate to 2.5%, tenge deposits drop below 20%, and 38 more stories of the week
Payment service Simply to close standalone app and move to Janymda
Kazakhstan requires banks and MFIs to survey clients before issuing online loans
Halyk Bank plans to obtain Islamic banking license
AFSA Warns of Fake License Under the Name Investlink Ltd: Event of the Week and 16 More
ARDFM to hold full-scale cyber drills for Kazakhstan's banks in 2027
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National Bank of Kazakhstan implements SupTech platform for payment market supervision
The regulator discussed new internal control rules, cross-border transaction monitoring, and a separate category for payment organizations with market participants..
Kazakhstan to rewrite capital market law for the first time in 23 years
The new draft simplifies exchange access for businesses, protects retail investors from complex products, and defines the legal status of digital assets..
AFSA recognizes clearing participation certificates as a qualified investment instrument
The Kazakh regulator expanded the collateral asset base to simplify financial institutions’ access to short-term liquidity..
BlackRock ready to channel more capital into Kazakhstan
The fund’s chief investment strategist Ben Powell called pension system and capital market reforms key triggers for investors.
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Kazakhstan's ARDFM presents six draft resolutions and 4 other stories of the week
Summary: Central Asia’s fintech week in a five-minute read. Key events, decisions, and launches compiled from Finteqstan’s weekly coverage.
Zhakezhan with Kaspi Gold: How Kaspi.kz turned Jackie Chan into a Kazakhstani
The company launched a campaign with the global star, repeating a 2013 marketing tactic adjusted for its new business model
Kazakhstan updates AML rules: New biometrics and non-resident risk profile requirements
ARDFM published amendments to AML/CFT rules. The regulator is adjusting automatic risk markers for foreigners while introducing strict authentication via the National Bank’s IDEC for remote and proxy operations.
ForteBank changes ForteLeasing buyer, records impairment loss
The deadline for the 16.6 billion tenge deal has been pushed to mid-2027.
Kazakhstan approves reporting rules for digital asset issuers
Starting September 26, 2026, companies issuing backed digital assets will begin reporting quarterly to the National Bank.
National Bank of Kazakhstan introduces licenses for payment banks: no loans or deposits
Starting October 2026, first-category payment organizations will enter the market, able to issue cards and open business accounts without traditional banks.
Kazakhstan launches tenge-pegged stablecoin KZTg
The token operates on the TON network via Telegram and is testing in the National Bank’s regulatory sandbox
Halyk Bank raises fee for interbank phone number transfers
Starting November 27, 2026, the cost of sending money to other banks via Halyk SuperApp will increase by 25%.
Binance to set up regional settlement hub in Kazakhstan
The crypto exchange will secure a category one payment organization license to serve clients across Central Asia and the CIS.
Bakai Business drops to ★4.02: charts for August 31 – September 7
The week’s only rating movement, 21 app releases, and the three most active companies in the Finteqstan catalog
Kazakhstan cuts rates as inflation falls below 10%, and 4 other stories of the week
August 30 – September 6: Rate easing in Kazakhstan, yuan bonds on AIX, Single QR expansion in Uzbekistan, and other market events
Kazakhstani banks may get tax agent status to automatically withhold social payments for the self-employed
Draft amendments to the Tax Code propose that banks withhold and transfer social payments directly upon receiving payment through an app.