Dear Readers.

Did You Know?

The Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) in Kazakhstan has become a leading fintech regulator in the CIS region. Many international companies have obtained local authorizations for financial, virtual asset, or payment services through AFSA, further establishing it as a prominent authority in these sectors.Recently, AFSA introduced an internal policy prohibiting financial companies from offering CFDs and other high-risk derivative products to retail clients. Although this policy isn’t codified in specific regulations, it is a key consideration for companies planning to establish brokerage services within AFSA’s jurisdiction.If you’re interested in exploring other regulatory authorizations—such as virtual currency brokerage, custody services, financial advisory, or payment services—or if the retail restriction does not impact your objectives, we invite you to contact us for further guidance on opportunities in the region.