The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has revealed plans to initiate a pilot zone that’ll enable citizens to pay for goods and services using cryptocurrency. According to a statement released on Thursday through the official website of the president, the pilot program is tagged CryptoCity.
The announcement is a transcript of Tokayev’s speech at the Astana International Forum 2025. As revealed, the president indicated that the initiative is aimed at testing crypto adoption in a streamlined environment.
Furthermore, the president hinted that there is an ongoing digital transformation in the country that focuses on emerging innovations like artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, the move to establish the crypto pilot program underlines the increasing attention of Kazakhstan on digital assets.
In a recent disclosure by the first vice minister of digital development in Kazakhstan, Kanyash Tuleushin hinted at a potential relaxation of the country’s stern crypto regulations. The vice minister said the shift in approach toward the crypto market will position the country as a force to reckon with.
Recall that in 2022, the Kazakhstan government first introduced a 335% increase in electricity tax for cryptocurrency miners in the country. According to a Binbits report, president Tokayev emphasized the need to increase electricity tariffs to put an end to the imbalance that permits crypto miners to pay less for energy compared to regular citizens.
However, during the year, the Asian country eventually banned crypto mining within its jurisdiction. As reported the clampdown forced more than 13 crypto-mining firms to exit the country, curtailing the growth of the sector in previous years.
Alatau may host Kazakhstan CryptoCity project – local reports
Meanwhile, local reports indicated that the Kazakhstan government is already making consultations for the location of the CryptoCity. Citing the Minister of Digital Development, Zhaslan Madiyev, the president is considering the city of Alatau.
According to the minister, the project will see the usage of cryptocurrency for payment in restaurants, and stores, securing real estate and general investment in the city. Madiyev is optimistic that the pilot program could be a noticeable advancement for the country’s blockchain sector.
Likewise, the minister established that the government is also looking towards introducing proper regulation for the cryptocurrency sector. It is worth mentioning that Alatau is a research hub of the country located in its south-eastern region.
Established in 1957, the city first functioned as an unnamed settlement for government scientific establishments and their staff. Alatau currently hosts the Institute of Nuclear Physics, the Kazakhstan National Nuclear Center, and the Physics and Technology Institute.
Other landmark facilities in the city include an experimental nuclear reactor and cyclotron. In addition, the city houses a dedicated economic zone commonly called Innovation Technology Park.
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