The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has been recognised as one of the top 20 jurisdictions globally in the final IOSCO Thematic Review Assessing the Implementation of IOSCO Recommendations for Crypto and Digital Asset Markets, conducted by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).
Among the 20 jurisdictions assessed, AIFC stood out for its full compliance with IOSCO’s recommendations, receiving over 30 positive references. Notably, the review highlighted five best-practice examples that showcased the strength of AIFC’s digital asset regulatory framework.

This recognition reflects the dedicated efforts of the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) in strengthening the AIFC's regulatory environment and aligning it with the evolving global digital asset landscape.

Key achievements include AIFC’s robust governance and conflict-of-interest management standards for crypto-asset service providers - a framework implemented in only 15 jurisdictions worldwide. The AIFC was also recognised for its comprehensive client asset protection and compensation mechanisms, fully realised in just 12 jurisdictions, as well as for its stringent audit and supervision requirements, which mandate both internal and external reviews.

Furthermore, the AIFC actively engages in international cooperation under the IOSCO Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMoU) and Enhanced MMoU (EMMoU), standing alongside leading jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, France, Gibraltar, and Hong Kong.

This milestone further cements Kazakhstan’s position as a regional leader in digital asset regulation and financial innovation.

The full IOSCO report is available for those interested in gaining deeper insight into the global landscape of crypto and digital asset regulation.