Kazakhstan’s digital minister says lifting crypto restrictions and expanding regulations could turn the country into Central Asia’s top blockchain hub.

Kazakhstan aims to become **Central Asia’s crypto hub** by easing restrictions on digital assets and expanding regulations, according to Kanysh Tuleushin, the country’s first vice minister of digital development. He highlights the potential for blockchain innovation, tax revenue, and energy infrastructure modernization through crypto mining. The government has already registered thousands of mining machines and seen a surge in crypto trading on the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). However, unregulated crypto transactions remain a challenge, with significant activity outside government oversight. Kazakhstan is also developing a **central bank digital currency (CBDC)**, the digital tenge, set for a 2025 launch. Other Central Asian countries, like Kyrgyzstan, are also showing interest in the crypto space.