ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 14, 2026 (Chainwire) — Bybit Kazakhstan has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation with AIFC Markets Ltd., the Programme Office of the Astana International Financial Centre's (AIFC) Investment Tax Residency Programme (ITRP). Under the memorandum, qualified investments in digital assets made by Programme participants through Bybit Kazakhstan's licensed platform will be verified and recognised by the Programme Office.

The ITRP is an AIFC initiative that allows eligible foreign investors to obtain Kazakhstan tax residency and an investor visa in exchange for investing through AIFC infrastructure. The Programme already recognises in-scope digital asset investments made through platforms licensed by the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA), the AIFC's financial regulator, by qualified investors.

For investors, the memorandum establishes a clear and transparent path: open an account with an AFSA-licensed platform, including Bybit Kazakhstan, build a digital asset portfolio, and have those investments recognised within the Programme through a streamlined.

The memorandum of cooperation is expected to provide:

• A regulated route into the Programme through digital assets — qualified digital asset investments made on a licensed AIFC platform.
• Transparency and simplicity — automated, secure verification of investments between Bybit Kazakhstan and the Programme Office.
• New opportunities for international investors — Kazakhstan tax residency combined with access to digital asset markets within a single framework.

"Kazakhstan is building one of the most consistent regulated environments for digital assets in the region, and the AIFC Investment Tax Residency Programme shows how this approach works in practice," said Ablaikhan Aubakir, Country Manager at Bybit Kazakhstan. "This memorandum means that investors who choose Kazakhstan can build their digital asset portfolio on a licensed platform and be confident that these investments are recognised within the AIFC framework. It is another step in connecting our infrastructure with the country's financial ecosystem."

Bakhtiyar Tleubekov, Chairman of the Management Board of the AIFC Authority, noted: "Introducing digital assets into the AIFC Investment Tax Residency Programme is a significant step in advancing Kazakhstan's investment infrastructure. We are consistently expanding the range of instruments available to attract international capital while building a transparent and regulated environment aligned with global trends in digital finance. The updated programme creates new opportunities for investors within the AIFC ecosystem and provides further momentum to the development of the digital asset market in Kazakhstan."

The memorandum builds on Bybit Kazakhstan's ongoing cooperation with the AIFC. As an AIFC Participant licensed by AFSA, Bybit Kazakhstan continues to work closely with the Centre and its institutions on developing regulated digital asset infrastructure in Kazakhstan, and the two parties intend to explore further joint initiatives within the AIFC ecosystem. The AIFC's official announcement on expanded cooperation under the Programme, linked below, also covers Binance Kazakhstan.

Further information on the Investment Tax Residency Programme is available on the AIFC website, and the AIFC's official announcement on expanded cooperation under the Programme can be found here. Digital asset trading is available to eligible users on Bybit.kz.

Disclaimer: This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal or investment advice. Participation in the AIFC Investment Tax Residency Programme is subject to the Programme's rules and eligibility criteria administered by AIFC Markets Ltd. Products and services described herein may not be available in all jurisdictions. Investors should carefully review applicable terms and assess their individual risk profile before making investment decisions.

About Bybit Kazakhstan (Bybit Limited)

Bybit Kazakhstan is an AIFC Participant licensed by AFSA to operate a Digital Asset Trading Facility and provide Money Services in relation to digital assets. Bybit Kazakhstan develops compliant infrastructure to support institutions and enterprises engaging with digital assets in Kazakhstan. www.bybit.kz

About the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC)

The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is an independent jurisdiction where investors and businesses meet emerging opportunities in Kazakhstan and Central Asia in a transparent and sustainable environment backed by the principles of English Common Law. www.aifc.kz