Short answer: Kazakhstan's comprehensive digital asset framework came into force on 1 May 2026, covering stablecoins, tokenised assets and licensing for exchanges and custody providers. In Almaty you can exchange crypto through AIFC-licensed platforms, online exchangers and cash offices, with USDT to tenge being the dominant direction.
What changed in 2026
Kazakhstan moved from a pilot-and-patchwork approach to a single framework. The regulatory overhaul that took effect on 1 May 2026 expanded the legal perimeter to cover stablecoins, tokenised assets and licensing requirements for digital asset service providers including exchanges and custodians.
Two adjacent initiatives shape the environment. The state has been building a national digital asset fund under the National Bank's investment arm, drawing on confiscated crypto and state-linked mining. And the announced "CryptoCity" pilot in Alatau is designed as a testing ground where residents can use digital currencies for everyday purchases — a policy direction that is unusual and worth watching, because most jurisdictions have moved the other way on retail payments.
There is also a taxpayer-facing carrot: a three-year tax amnesty for crypto assets declared on domestic platforms, aimed at pulling holdings onto regulated venues.
Where Almaty fits
Almaty is the country's financial centre and where most exchange activity concentrates. The crypto card project — payment cards spending balances held on AIFC-licensed exchanges — was launched at a National Bank meeting in Almaty with banks, exchanges and fintech firms, which tells you where the institutional weight sits.
| Route | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AIFC-licensed platform | Regular volume, documentation, card products | Full onboarding, tenge rails |
| Online exchanger | Crypto to crypto, network switches | No account; compare received amount |
| Cash office | USDT to tenge banknotes | ID checks apply; agree rate in advance |
Compare providers operating in the city on the Almaty exchangers page, and live directions across services on the exchangers list.
Practical guidance for an Almaty swap
- Confirm the network before quoting. USDT on TRC-20 dominates local flow. Sending ERC-20 against a TRC-20 quote costs you the difference and a delay.
- Bring identification for cash deals. Licensed providers apply AML procedures, and larger sums bring source-of-funds questions.
- Check the tenge reserve. Tenge liquidity is thinner than dollar liquidity; a large order can exceed what an office holds on the day.
- Agree the rate in writing before travelling. Quotes are short-lived, and an in-person renegotiation always favours the office.
- Keep the transaction hash and receipt. With the amnesty and reporting regime in play, documentation has value beyond the transaction itself.
What the new framework means for you
- Licensed venues will ask more questions. That is the trade for legal certainty, card products and bank rails.
- Unlicensed operators carry real risk now. With a licensing regime in force, using an unlicensed provider means no recourse if something fails.
- Declaration has an incentive attached. The three-year amnesty for assets declared on domestic platforms is a limited-time policy, not a permanent feature.
- Cross-border reporting still applies to you personally. If you are tax resident in a CARF jurisdiction, that obligation follows you — see CARF and DAC8 explained.
For the safety rules that apply to any in-person deal, see our cash exchange guide.
FAQ
Is crypto legal in Kazakhstan?
Yes. A comprehensive framework covering digital asset circulation, stablecoins, tokenised assets and provider licensing came into force on 1 May 2026.
Can I exchange crypto for tenge in cash in Almaty?
Yes, through offices operating in the city. Expect identification checks, and confirm both rate and network before you travel.
What is CryptoCity?
A pilot announced for Alatau where residents would be able to use digital currencies for everyday purchases — a testing ground for retail crypto payments.
What is the crypto tax amnesty?
A three-year amnesty for crypto assets declared on domestic platforms, intended to bring holdings onto regulated venues. Terms are specific, so verify current details before relying on it.