Central Asia fintech news
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Central Asian regulators choose technical integration of payment systems over unified legislation
Regional countries abandon the idea of a supranational regulator in favor of QR code interoperability and open banking
Uzbekistan's installment market to face regulation in 2027. What changes for business and buyers
The Central Bank will create a registry of installment operators, cap contract terms, and require retailers to share data with credit bureaus.
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
Fintech Association of Uzbekistan and Innovance Azerbaijan agree to jointly support startups
The parties plan to develop cross-border projects and build infrastructure to scale fintech solutions across Central Asian and Caucasian markets.
Business Lending Outpaces Retail in Kazakhstan Amid Regulatory Cooling
Entrepreneurs secured 22 trillion tenge over the past year as consumer loan growth steadily slowed.
"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.
Halyk Bank builds a superapp: why Kazakhstan's largest bank needs an Islamic window, a crypto card, and AI
The country’s largest bank is changing its customer retention strategy. The Islamic finance announcement complements plans to integrate digital assets and smart assistants.
Central Bank of Uzbekistan launches its own venture fund and innovation hub
The regulator is shifting its market approach: instead of traditional oversight, the Central Bank is taking on the role of incubator and investor for local fintech projects.
Kazakhstan's unified QR processes 210 billion tenge in first month
The National Bank has released the first results of the interbank mobile payment system.
Halyk Bank plans to obtain an Islamic finance license
Kazakhstan’s largest bank is preparing to open an “Islamic window” following changes to industry legislation.
Innovation hub, venture fund, and digital som: How the Central Bank of Uzbekistan will develop fintech
The regulator is moving to practically implement its 2030 strategy, from building startup infrastructure to testing a CBDC.
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.