Kazakhstan is set to integrate digital assets into its national economy following a new presidential decree signed by Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. On July 7, 2026, the President approved the document titled "On Measures to Stimulate and Develop the Digital Assets Industry," which proposes allowing both private businesses and government agencies to utilize stablecoins for cross-border settlements. The initiative, developed by the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Development in collaboration with the National Bank and the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), aims to modernize the country’s payment infrastructure and simplify international trade operations.
Expanding Export-Import Channels via Digital Assets
The decree emphasizes that the implementation of mechanisms for using crypto assets in payments will provide Kazakhstan with additional business channels for import and export activities. By providing a regulated framework for stablecoin transactions, the government intends to offer an alternative to traditional banking systems, which can often be subject to delays or high costs in international transfers.
- Cross-border settlements: Enabling the use of stablecoins for trade with foreign partners.
- Capital repatriation: Encouraging the transfer of digital assets from unregulated foreign platforms to domestic service providers.
- Institutional adoption: Allowing government bodies to research and potentially use digital assets for official financial mechanisms.
Tax Incentives and New Energy Regulations for Miners
To stimulate the local ecosystem, the decree introduces significant tax relief. Individuals are expected to be exempted from personal income tax for cryptocurrency transactions, provided these operations are conducted through state-regulated infrastructure. This move is designed to increase the attractiveness of Kazakhstan’s domestic exchanges and licensed digital asset service providers.
"The planned measures include creating conditions for the voluntary disclosure of digital assets previously held on unregulated foreign platforms... Income from digital asset transactions conducted through Kazakhstan's regulated infrastructure is planned to be exempt from individual income tax", the Ministry stated.
Furthermore, the document addresses the energy demands of the mining sector. While Kazakhstan remains a significant global hub for Bitcoin mining, the new decree stipulates that associated natural gas can only be used for autonomous electricity generation by miners when it is not required for national needs. This ensures that the energy security of the population remains a priority while still allowing the industry to utilize surplus resources.
The decree also outlines the development of tokenized financial instruments and a national blockchain trading infrastructure, which may include the future issuance of tokenized government bonds. These steps reflect Kazakhstan's strategy to transition from a mining-focused market to a comprehensive digital financial hub in the Central Asian region.
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