Central Asia fintech news
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ARDFM to Complicate Account Opening for Foreigners in Kazakhstan
The regulator has prepared amendments to financial monitoring rules. Banks will have to request more documents and revise risk assessments for non-residents.
Halyk Bank Fined for Flaws in Financial Monitoring System
The ARDFM’s banking regulation department identified violations in the internal controls of Kazakhstan’s largest bank. The issue concerns procedures, not actual money laundering.
Return of the debt-to-income ratio will cool Kazakhstan's car loan market from 2027
On January 1, 2027, the ARDFM will end the period of regulatory relief. Banks will once again factor in the DTI ratio when issuing car loans, limiting access for clients with high debt burdens.
Central Bank of Uzbekistan to Introduce Public Bank Ranking for Customer Service Quality
The regulator will start naming banks with the worst service and set a one-hour response time standard for clients.
The Government of Kazakhstan, NVIDIA, and Firebird to Invest $10 Billion in AI: How New Capacities Will Change Fintech
A public-private partnership launches the construction of mega data centers in Ekibastuz. Access to 100,000 GPUs will open new opportunities for banks to train neural networks.
Uzum Market Prepares for Cross-Border Sales in Central Asian Countries
The Uzbek marketplace is developing tools for goods export. For the region’s fintech market, this means potential demand for cross-border acquiring and local BNPL partnerships.
National Bank of Kazakhstan sets July 19 deadline for banks to connect to unified QR
The regulator’s head, Timur Suleimenov, confirmed there will be no exceptions for anyone, but the question of fines for missing the deadline remains open.
Bill on Tashkent Financial Center based on English law submitted to the Senate
The lower house of Uzbekistan’s parliament has approved the creation of the TIFC and an independent commercial court. Launching the hub will require amendments to the Constitution.
ANORBANK and Startup Redeem Launch AI Platform for Corporate Payments
The Uzbek bank is integrating a solution from a Tashkent-based startup to automate business payments for fuel and services. The system replaces plastic cards and manual invoicing.
Bank CenterCredit Launches UnionPay QR Payments Abroad and WeChat Pay in China
The Kazakhstani bank has added a feature to its mobile app for scanning Asian payment terminals.
Kazakhstan Stock Exchange Unveils Digital Asset Platform
KASE is preparing infrastructure for the issuance and circulation of DFAs with the participation of the National Bank.
Uzbekistan's Mikrokreditbank Announces Opening of Custodial Account with BNY Mellon
According to the bank, the new infrastructure should accelerate settlements for international securities, but product details for clients have not yet been disclosed.