Kazakhstan’s Astana International Financial Centre Court has barred the operators of Coinbase, BingX, Bitcoin. The order also covers distributing or making related mobile applications available through app platforms for users in the center.
The ruling was issued on Sept. 15 after the Astana Financial Services Authority brought proceedings against platforms it said were operating without the required AIFC licenses. The restrictions apply only within the AIFC and to users located there; they do not create a nationwide prohibition across Kazakhstan. The financial center operates under its own legal and regulatory framework, which requires crypto firms serving users there to obtain authorization.
The court said unlicensed activity weakens the AIFC’s regulatory system and gives unauthorized firms an advantage over licensed competitors. Licensed businesses bear costs linked to anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing controls, customer due diligence and regulatory supervision.
Google and Apple are also covered as app-store operators once they receive notice of the judgment. The court did not issue separate injunctions against the companies, instead directing the regulator to discuss the steps needed to restrict access to the affected services.
LBank was included in the initial case but removed from the order on Sept. 18 after its operator blocked access to its services in Kazakhstan. The regulator said its broader enforcement campaign began in 2025 with warnings to more than 20 crypto platforms, followed by court proceedings in early 2026. It also said nine platforms voluntarily restricted access to their applications in Kazakhstan and seven others indicated they intended to seek licenses, leaving six platforms subject to the court-enforced restrictions.