News about Kazakhstan

A court in Kazakhstan's Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has barred 6 crypto platforms from offering digital-asset services without licenses and extended access restrictions to Google and Apple app stores, after the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) sued their operators. The September 15 order initially named 7 platforms, including BingX, Coinbase and Huobi Global (HTX); LBank was dropped three days later after blocking access in Kazakhstan. AFSA said 9 other platforms voluntarily restricted app access, so it withdrew its claims against them, while 7 said they intend to seek licenses. AFSA said users of unlicensed platforms lack safeguards such as asset protection, complaints handling and dispute resolution. Coinbase, BingX and Huobi Global did not immediately respond to requests for comment.