Crypto exchange Bybit Kazakhstan signed a cooperation memorandum with AIFC Markets Ltd., the program office of the Astana International Financial Centre’s Investment Tax Residency Programme, on October 14, 2026. The memorandum provides for eligible digital asset investments made through Bybit Kazakhstan’s licensed platform to be verified and recognized under the program, enabling participating foreign investors to seek Kazakhstan tax residency and an investor visa.

The Investment Tax Residency Programme is an AIFC initiative for foreign investors who invest through the financial center’s infrastructure. Before the memorandum, the program already provided for the recognition of certain digital asset investments made by qualified investors through platforms licensed by the AIFC Financial Services Authority.

How the investment process will work

Under the memorandum, digital asset investments that meet the program’s requirements and are made through the licensed Bybit platform in Kazakhstan will be eligible for verification and recognition by the program office. Bybit Kazakhstan and AIFC Markets also plan to use an automated and secure mechanism to confirm investments.

The arrangement is intended to make it easier for international investors to participate in the program, according to the release. Investors will be able to open an account on an AFSA-licensed platform, create a digital asset portfolio and submit eligible investments for recognition under the program.

Bybit Kazakhstan Country Manager Ablaykhan Aubakir said Kazakhstan is building a regulated environment for digital assets and that the AIFC program demonstrates how that approach can be applied in practice.

“This memorandum means that investors who choose Kazakhstan can build their digital asset portfolio on a licensed platform and be confident that these investments are recognised within the AIFC framework,” Aubakir said.

Kazakhstan expands investment infrastructure

AIFC Administration Board Chairman Bakhtiyar Tleubekov called the inclusion of digital assets in the Investment Tax Residency Programme an important step in developing Kazakhstan’s investment infrastructure.

Tleubekov said the program update expands the range of tools available to attract international capital and creates additional opportunities for investors within the AIFC ecosystem.

The memorandum extends Bybit Kazakhstan’s cooperation with the financial center. The company holds AIFC participant status and an AFSA license. The parties also plan to consider other joint initiatives aimed at developing regulated digital asset infrastructure in Kazakhstan.

Detailed terms of the Investment Tax Residency Programme are available on the official AIFC website.

Source: Incrypted