Kazakhstan Blocks Over 1100 Illegal Crypto Trading Websites
- Authorities blocked more than 1100 unlicensed crypto platforms within one year nationwide.
- Enforcement linked illegal exchanges to fraud, laundering, and organized criminal networks.
- Regulators now expand legal crypto activity while keeping strict oversight nationwide.
Kazakhstan blocked more than 1,100 unlicensed cryptocurrency trading websites over the past year as authorities tightened oversight to curb fraud and financial crime. Officials said the action targeted illegal platforms operating outside the national legal framework. The Agency for Financial Monitoring of Kazakhstan reported the figures to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a briefing on digital asset enforcement.
Authorities linked many of the blocked platforms to fraud schemes and money laundering networks. The measures form part of a wider effort to regulate the growing crypto sector and protect market participants. Why did Kazakhstan move so quickly to shut down such a large number of crypto platforms
Regulatory Action Against Illegal Crypto Platforms
Kazakhstan’s Agency for Financial Monitoring said it restricted access to about 1,135 unauthorized crypto services within one year. Officials identified these platforms as offering trading and exchange services without state approval. According to the agency, many platforms operated openly despite lacking licenses or regulatory supervision.
The AFM described the blocking campaign as part of a national policy to align digital asset activity with regulatory standards. Authorities focused on separating legal crypto businesses from unauthorized operators. As a result, enforcement efforts targeted platforms that bypassed compliance rules.
Officials did not release details about specific websites or the exact timeline of each action. They also did not name individual platforms affected by the restrictions. Still, regulators confirmed that enforcement activity intensified throughout the year.
Criminal Investigations and Financial Recoveries
Beyond website blocking, Kazakhstan pursued criminal investigations linked to illegal crypto activity. AFM Chairman Zhanat Elimanov briefed President Tokayev on the scope of these enforcement actions. Investigators completed more than 1,135 criminal cases tied to crypto-related financial crimes.
Authorities linked several cases to schemes laundering proceeds from fraud and drug trafficking. According to official data, investigators recovered over 141.5 billion tenge for affected victims. The recovered amount equals roughly 277 million dollars based on current exchange rates.
Law enforcement also dismantled criminal networks supporting unlicensed crypto operations. Officials said these actions targeted organized groups using digital assets to move illicit funds. The agency described the approach as focused on financial accountability rather than broad market suppression.
Read More: Kazakhstan Unveils Alem Fund to Build Crypto Reserve
Policy Shifts and Market Development Plans
While enforcement expanded, Kazakhstan also adjusted its broader crypto policy framework. In 2025, officials lifted some restrictions on digital coin minting to support industrial-scale mining. The move aimed to attract investment and stabilize regulated mining activity.
Authorities also moved to widen crypto trading beyond the Astana International Financial Center. Previously, only a limited number of licensed platforms operated within the AIFC framework. The government now plans to legalize crypto investments under clearer national rules.
At the same time, officials confirmed that crypto payments remain banned outside a pilot project called CryptoCity. The pilot aims to test real-world digital asset use under controlled conditions. Regulators said unauthorized transactions and gray-market intermediaries will remain enforcement targets.
