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The year of digitalisation and AI in Kazakhstan: New regulations
On 6 January 2026, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed a Decree declaring 2026 the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. At present, the legislative framework in this area is actively being developed. For instance, a unified conceptual document on the development of digitalisation and artificial intelligence, Digital Qazaqstan, in which all initiatives and projects will be combined into a nationwide strategy is currently being developed. The Law on Artificial Intelligence No. 230-VIII entered into force on 18 January 2025 (the "Law"), and the Digital Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan will take effect on 11 July 2026. There is also ongoing work to align existing legislative acts with the Digital
Kinstellar advises PPF Group and its shareholders on the sale of Home Credit Bank Kazakhstan to ForteBank
Kinstellar has successfully advised PPF Group and its shareholders on the sale of Home Credit Bank Kazakhstan to ForteBank, which was completed in December 2025 following receipt of all required approvals from the relevant state authorities in Kazakhstan. As a result of the transaction, ForteBank acquired 100% of the shares in Home Credit Bank, becoming its sole shareholder. The transaction represents one of the most notable M&A deals in Kazakhstan’s banking sector in 2025 and reflects the ongoing consolidation of the local financial market. For the client, the deal enabled a fully regulated and structured exit from the Kazakh banking market while ensuring continuity of operations and stability for customers
Kinstellar advises Halyk Bank on strategic cross-border fintech partnership with Click
Kinstellar has recently advised JSC Halyk Bank on its USD 237 million strategic partnership with Uzbekistan’s leading fintech platform, Click – a landmark transaction reflecting the growing convergence of banking and digital services in Central Asia. Under the deal, Halyk acquires a 49% stake in Click for USD 176.4 million, while Click’s shareholders take a 49% stake in Halyk’s Uzbek subsidiary, Tenge Bank, for USD 60.76 million. Representing the largest private sector transaction in Uzbekistan to date, the deal features an innovative and balanced structure that enables both parties to remain independent while forming a powerful alliance in Uzbekistan’s rapidly evolving digital finance landscape. The partnership
Kinstellar advises PPF Group on the sale of Home Credit Bank Kazakhstan operations
Kinstellar has advised PPF Group and its shareholders on an agreement with ForteBank for the sale of 100% of Home Credit Bank Kazakhstan and its associated businesses. The terms of the transaction remain undisclosed and the deal is subject to customary regulatory approvals in Kazakhstan. Home Credit has been active in Kazakhstan since 2005, marking the fourth market entered by PPF Group’s financial services subsidiary, following its establishment in the Czech Republic in 1997. Since its inception in Kazakhstan, Home Credit has operated as a fully licensed bank specialising in consumer finance and has been a long-standing leader in the point-of-sale (POS) loan segment. ForteBank is a leading player in Kazakhstan’s
Kinstellar announces new Partner promotions
Kinstellar is delighted to announce the promotion to Partner of Magdalena Raducanu (Romania), Jan Lehký (Czech Republic), and Kuanysh Shekerbekov (Kazakhstan). Magdalena Raducanu is based in our Bucharest office and leads the Romanian Banking & Finance Service Line. She also serves as the co-head of the firm-wide Banking & Finance Service Line. Magdalena has more than 20 years of experience in all aspects of banking and financing, including project, real estate, and corporate finance as well as financial regulatory matters. Recently, she has dedicated significant efforts assisting banks on various ESG-related mandates. Magdalena joined Kinstellar in 2021 from the Bucharest office of Dentons. Since joining
Practical Note for Investors: Insights into Kazakhstan’s Banking Sector in 2025
In 2024, Kazakhstan’s financial regulator and the president of Kazakhstan emphasised repeatedly the necessity of updating the nation’s banking laws to align with global economic trends. This has been particularly relevant to the development of fintech ecosystems—a focus area for our firm over the past few years. In light of these discussions, we have prepared this note to provide a practical overview of the key proposed changes expected in 2025 and their implications for potential investors in the banking sector. We will continue monitoring these developments closely throughout the year to keep you informed. Key proposed changes and opportunities Introduction of two types of banking licenses
Practical Note: The Development of the Banking Sector within the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC)
Since its establishment, the AIFC has generated significant interest by developing its financial services sector, particularly in banking. The financial ecosystem in the AIFC was designed to attract foreign investment, and various incentives have been introduced to encourage the growth of both traditional and Islamic banking businesses. However, despite these incentives, the development of the banking sector within the AIFC has not reached its full potential. 1. Incentives for bank establishment within the AIFC A series of tax exemptions and regulatory waivers have been provided to make it easier for banks to operate within the AIFC. These measures include: Tax exemptions: Both traditional and Islamic
Purpose of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and application of AIFC Law, in Kazakhstan
We have gathered practical insights based on case studies within the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), with a focus on the application of law in this jurisdiction. In this brief note, we aim to summarize these key points and share them with potential AIFC participants, investors, and professionals in the legal and financial sectors. It is important to note that this is not an academic article or legal advice, but rather practical observations. Purpose of the AIFC and application of AIFC Law As a starting point, the AIFC, located in Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, was created to serve as a specialized financial hub, fostering investments and promoting regulated financial services. What distinguishes
Expanding opportunities for retail investors in Kazakhstan: AIFC's influence on the new legislative framework
According to the official website of the Government of Kazakhstan, the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market is working on a new legislative proposal with the goal of broadening the participation of retail investors in collective investment schemes (the "CIS") across Kazakhstan. Currently, the CIS retail business is mainly possible within the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). While this could be seen as competition with the AIFC, in the long term, the adoption of such a law will help create a solid platform for the development of funds not only within the AIFC but also throughout Kazakhstan. In these proposed innovations, we see the influence of the flexible
Minority shareholder protection in the AIFC, Kazakhstan
In private companies limited by shares, the most popular form of company established in the Astana International Financial Center ("AIFC") shareholders range from those with majority ownership stakes (i.e. greater than 50%) to those with smaller holdings. The latter, known as minority shareholders, often face challenges due to their limited ability to influence business decisions. Our expertise lies in safeguarding the rights of minority shareholders, offering advice on protection strategies and negotiation tactics to ensure fair outcomes in disputes involving misconduct by directors or controlling shareholders. After five years of closely monitoring the AIFC legislation and practicing corporate law within the AIFC, we believe
Redomiciliation under AIFC Laws revisited: Definition, benefits, process and booming trend
The Astana International Finance Centre ("AIFC") continues to be a destination point for foreign companies seeking growth and stability in their operations. In addition to the traditional incorporation of companies, the AIFC enables the registration of foreign companies under the “Transfer of incorporation” scheme, i.e., through redomiciliation. It has been five years since the first successful case of “Transfer of incorporation” by Kazakhstan Energy Reinsurance Company Ltd. ("KERC") from Bermuda to the AIFC. Kinstellar acted on this first-of-its-kind redomiciliation project, which set a precedent for the transfer of other foreign operations and capital from overseas to the AIFC. Thus, considering the growing interest
Kinstellar advises Halyk Bank on the sale of its subsidiary in Kyrgyzstan
Kinstellar's Kazakhstan office has successfully advised Halyk Bank, a leading financial services group, on the sale of its subsidiary in Kyrgyzstan, to a consortium of buyers within the investment group Visor International DMCC. The financial details of the transaction are undisclosed. Originally established as Kyrgyz Kairat Bank, the subsidiary was acquired by Halyk Bank in 2004 through a bidding process. This transaction follows the previous divestment of assets of Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan, including the recent sale of its Tajik and Russian subsidiaries. The Kinstellar team was led by Partner Adlet Yerkinbayev, and Counsel Kuanysh Shekerbekov.