16-7-2025 – Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund is considering adding cryptocurrencies to its national reserves portfolio, marking a dramatic shift from the country’s historically restrictive stance toward digital assets.
National Bank Chairman Timur Suleimenov disclosed the plans during a recent press conference, citing successful crypto integration strategies from Norway, the United States, and Middle Eastern sovereign funds. The proposed allocation would draw from Kazakhstan’s gold and foreign exchange reserves, alongside assets from its sovereign wealth fund, to create cryptocurrency-linked investments. A dedicated infrastructure system would manage these holdings, including cryptocurrencies seized through law enforcement operations.
The move represents a broader policy evolution as Kazakhstan seeks to position itself within the global crypto economy. The country, which ranks 57th in Chainalysis’ 2024 Global Crypto Adoption Index, is simultaneously developing “CryptoCity,” a regulatory pilot zone introduced by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to test controlled crypto payments. Additionally, authorities are exploring mechanisms to redirect cryptocurrency mined by state-affiliated enterprises into national reserves as a form of taxation.
However, Kazakhstan’s crypto embrace comes with stringent regulatory oversight. The government plans to introduce legal penalties for cryptocurrency transactions conducted outside licensed platforms and impose restrictions on digital asset advertising to formalize the crypto landscape while eliminating unregulated activity.
This strategic pivot reflects growing international momentum toward institutional crypto adoption, particularly following renewed U.S. support for digital assets under the Trump administration.
