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Central Asia fintech news

Market updates on regulation, banking products, payments, deals and digital services across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

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Markets in Kazakhstan: What happened in August

A contextual breakdown of the month’s main financial sector themes: macroeconomics, banks, and exchange infrastructure

Directory pulse: August 24–31 week

What happened in the Central Asian fintech market during the last week of summer

Kazakhstan plans to exempt QR payments and mobile transfers from VAT

The government is discussing expanding tax exemptions to all types of digital payments under the new Tax Code

"Uzbekistan Is Not Repeating Kazakhstan's Path—It's Forging Its Own": Oleg Kachalin on Fintech Barriers and Growth Points

From ditching cash to integrating government services: who is building the region’s new digital reality and how.

Qatar's Finagroup registers Islamic bank with $10M capital at AIFC

Al-Amanah Islamic Bank will focus on corporate financing. The actual launch requires an AFSA license.

Market signals: August 20–23 week

Key events in the Central Asian fintech market for August 20–23

Only 4% of Uzbekistanis Use Bank Deposits to Save Money

Despite broad access to banking services, the culture of saving through deposits remains low in Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstan introduces 14-day cooling-off period for loans and insurance

Starting October 2026, borrowers can cancel unsecured loans and bundled services without penalties. Banks are banned from using pre-checked boxes in apps.

Market Signals: August 18–21

Key events in the Central Asian fintech market: debt rotation and new KASE listings

Catalog pulse: August 10–17 week

What happened in the Central Asian fintech market: falling B2B app ratings, 24 releases, and new ARDFM rules

Market Signals: Week of August 6–13

Key fintech events in Central Asia: from KASE halting US Treasury trades to new crypto licenses in Uzbekistan

From 'Fast Money' to Large-Scale Ecosystems: WOOX CEO Shokhrukh Ayibov on Uzbekistan's Fintech Transformation

The era of competing solely on basic payments is ending. WOOX CEO Shokhrukh Ayibov explains why the Central Bank is driving innovation and how Uzbekistan plans to become Central Asia’s primary fintech hub by 2030.