Celebrating Six Years of Astana International Exchange
As the Astana International Exchange (AIX) celebrates its sixth anniversary, it's an opportune time to reflect on its rapid evolution and the remarkable milestones that have shaped its journey to becoming a key hub in Central Asia and beyond. Since its inception in 2017, AIX has positioned itself as a leader in pioneering accessible, diversified and sustainable financial opportunities.
Although AIX was founded in 2017, its true milestone came in November 2018, when it launched its first trade with the landmark IPO of NAC Kazatomprom JSC, the world's largest uranium producer. This pivotal event marks an official anniversary that AIX is proud to celebrate.
Here are some of the most notable achievements and milestones:
Although AIX was founded in 2017, its true milestone came in November 2018, when it launched its first trade with the landmark IPO of NAC Kazatomprom JSC, the world's largest uranium producer. This pivotal event marks an official anniversary that AIX is proud to celebrate.
Here are some of the most notable achievements and milestones:
2017
The establishment of AIX set in motion Kazakhstan's vision of a modern financial marketplace. Strategic partnerships with the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Nasdaq laid the foundation for a robust and sophisticated trading environment.
2018
AIX adopted Business Rules, incorporating provisions for green and Islamic financial instruments to support ethical finance. Partnerships with Goldman Sachs and the Silk Road Fund strengthened its international reach, and trading was officially launched with the IPO of Kazatomprom, Kazakhstan’s national uranium company. AIX joined the Federation of European and Asian Stock Exchanges (FEAS), and the AIX Belt and Road Market was established to promote cross-border trade.
2019
In a milestone endorsement, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in the United Kingdom recognized AIX as a ‘recognised stock exchange.’ Polymetal, a major Russian mining firm, became the first foreign issuer listed on AIX.
2020
AIX continued to break new ground by listing the first Islamic securities (sukuk) and the first RMB-denominated bond in Kazakhstan. The Regional Equity Market Segment (REMS) was launched to support local businesses, while the Damu Fund listed Kazakhstan’s first green bonds. AIX also made history by becoming the first exchange to migrate its core trading system to the cloud on Amazon Web Services, and the IPO of Kaspi.kz marked a significant listing for Kazakh fintech. Additionally, AIX introduced the Tabys app for retail investors and hosted a cross-listing of the Islamic Development Bank’s sukuks.
2021
AIX introduced the AIX Qazaq Index to measure the performance of Kazakhstani-linked shares and became a full member of the World Federation of Exchanges. The year also saw notable listings of social bonds by the Eurasian Development Bank and large green bonds by Samruk-Energy. Direct listing of shares was introduced as a new service.
2022
Enhanced settlement services were launched through collaboration between the AIX Central Securities Depository (AIX CSD) and Euroclear Bank. Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs) tracking the performance of Kazakhstani banks and Shari’ah-compliant ETNs were listed, along with ETNs focused on the global real estate market. The year closed with the successful IPO of KazMunayGas.
2023
Development Bank of Kazakhstan placed green bonds, KEGOC started trading on AIX, and domestic investor accounts at AIX CSD reached the impressive milestone of one million. AIX signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), expanding its regional influence, and KazMunayGas began trading.
2024
In the latest developments, AIX joined the Tabadul Hub, and the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank placed bonds on the exchange. AIX also introduced trading in renewable energy certificates, underscoring its commitment to sustainability. Notably, the allocation of Ministry of Finance Eurobonds provided AIX investors with $189.37 million in Eurobonds, and trading volume hit an impressive $1 billion, taking the total volume to over $2 billion since launch.
Focus for the Future
AIX`s strategic focus remains on expanding listings, particularly for small and medium enterprises, and on solidifying its role as a regional leader in sustainable finance. Future plans include introducing more ESG-related products, such as carbon credits, and expanding digital assets to capture emerging trends.
Happy anniversary, AIX!
Congratulations to the Astana International Exchange on six years of remarkable growth and success! Your dedication to innovation, sustainability, and regional cooperation has not only strengthened Kazakhstan's financial landscape but also elevated AIX as a dynamic player on the global stage. Here’s to many more years of ambitious milestones and continued leadership in the world of finance.
