Central Asia fintech news
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Uzbekistan expands Central Bank independence: Banks face faster regulation rollouts
Central Bank of Uzbekistan requires banks and non-bank lenders to warn of risks in ads and contracts
Kazakhstan forms unified Financial Ombudsman Service: new institution to launch January 1, 2027
Uzbekistan plans to create a currency and interest rate risk management company
Uzbekistan moves collateral management online and eases fine payment terms for businesses
Kazakhstan requires banks and MFIs to survey clients before issuing online loans
NAPP allows Uzbekistan crypto exchanges to delegate KYC to third-party services
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Kyrgyz Parliament Approves Binary Options Ban in First Reading
A parliamentary committee backed criminalizing the organization of binary options and unlicensed online lotteries..
DC Next launches virtual UnionPay card in Tajikistan
Tajik digital bank DC Next has added instant issuance of virtual UnionPay cards to its mobile app..
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..
Kazakhstan updates AML rules: New biometrics and non-resident risk profile requirements
ARDFM published amendments to AML/CFT rules.
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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.
Separate Bank Accounts to Become Mandatory for Marketplaces and Sellers in Uzbekistan
Starting in December 2026, sellers, couriers, and taxi drivers must receive income in special accounts or card-linked e-wallets.
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
ABB pays $140 million for 51% of Davr Bank—up from $100 million cited in May
The deal was announced at the presidential level in August, but the stake transferred to the buyer only on September 10 through six trades on the Tashkent exchange.
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.
National Bank of Kyrgyzstan tightens rules for cash card top-ups
NBKR will ban anonymous cash top-ups for cards, requiring customer identification for all transactions.
Uzbekistan plans to raise undeclared cash export limit to $10,000
The regulatory easing aims to simplify procedures for travelers and businesses.
KASE Proposes Stronger Self-Regulation for Kazakhstan's Stock Market
The exchange presented a concept for a regulatory committee to handle first-line supervision of issuers and trading
Business Lending Outpaces Retail in Kazakhstan Amid Regulatory Cooling
Entrepreneurs secured 22 trillion tenge over the past year as consumer loan growth steadily slowed.
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.
International Bank of Azerbaijan announces stake purchase in Uzbekistan's Davr Bank
Azerbaijan’s largest state bank enters the Uzbek financial market: the agreement was signed at the interstate level, with settlements ahead.
ARDFM approves criteria for systemic risks and bank viability assessment
New rules define the regulator’s response to deteriorating bank finances and introduce strict controls over non-market transactions.