Kazakhstan Crypto Mining License: Requirements, Process & Tax Guide (2025)

Quick Summary

• Licensing is handled exclusively by the Astana International Financial Center (AIFC).
• Applicants must be a Kazakh legal entity or individual entrepreneur.
• All mining must run through a registered Digital Mining Pool (DMP).
• Process takes 6‑9months and follows three phases: preparation, incorporation, final application.
• Tax rate is 15% and 75% of mined assets must be sold on AIFC exchanges.

Kazakhstan crypto mining license is the key to entering one of the world’s fastest‑growing mining hubs.

Regulatory Framework Overview

In 2023 the Kazakh government issued Order No.384, converting crypto mining from a permit‑based activity to a notification‑based one. While the notification system removes the need for a classic permit, the AIFC still controls every mining operation through a formal licensing process. The goal is to attract foreign investment, secure the country’s energy surplus, and keep tight AML‑CFT oversight.

Who Can Apply?

Only two legal forms are accepted:

1. A Kazakhstan‑registered legal entity (LLC, JSC, etc.).
2. An individual entrepreneur registered under Kazakh law.

Foreign investors must either set up a local subsidiary or partner with a Kazakh entity. The applicant also needs documented rights to a data‑processing centre-either ownership or a lease agreement that complies with local regulations.

Key Entities You’ll Meet in the Process

• Astana International Financial Center (AIFC) - sole licensing authority.
• Digital Mining Pool (DMP) - the only legal way to aggregate hash power.
• AML‑CFT - anti‑money‑laundering and counter‑terrorist‑financing framework you must embed.
• KYC software - required for client onboarding and risk assessment.
• Local AML Officer - at least one Kazakh resident responsible for compliance.
• Compliance Officer - another resident who handles day‑to‑day regulatory reporting.
• Management Board - minimum four members, including a chair, finance director, technical director, and compliance director.
• ICRIAP - the state committee that receives the final notification and monitors ongoing activity.

Step‑by‑Step Licensing Process

The AIFC splits the application into three clear phases. Below is a practical checklist to keep you on track.

Phase1 - Preparation (1‑2months)

1. Draft a detailed business plan: market analysis, projected hash rate, break‑even point.
2. Prepare financial projections for the next three years, including capital expenditure on hardware and electricity.
3. Gather corporate documents from the parent company (articles of association, shareholders list).
4. Create AML‑CFT policies, select a KYC software vendor, and design client‑onboarding workflows.
5. Identify senior management and board members; verify they meet local residency and qualification rules.

Phase2 - Incorporation (2‑3months)

1. Register a new company inside the AIFC jurisdiction. The company name must include “Digital Mining”.
2. Rent office space within the AIFC business‑centre - a physical address is mandatory.
3. Hire at least two Kazakh residents: an AML Officer and a Compliance Officer.
4. Open a corporate bank account in Kazakhstan and deposit the required share capital (minimum 10millionKZT).
5. Appoint the Management Board (minimum four roles) and file the board register with the AIFC.

Phase3 - Final Application (3‑4months)

1. Submit the AML‑CFT operational framework, including KYC software screenshots and risk‑assessment matrices.
2. Provide proof of ownership or lease for the data‑processing centre and a signed agreement with an approved DMP.
3. Demonstrate a working prototype: show a live hash‑rate dashboard, pool integration, and payout schedule.
4. Include CVs of all board members, highlighting prior experience in finance, IT, or energy sectors.
5. Pay the licensing fee (approximately 2millionKZT) and wait for the AIFC’s issuance decision.

Once the license is granted, you receive a notification number that must be displayed on all public‑facing platforms.

Financial & Tax Obligations

Kazakhstan adopts a flat 15% corporate tax on mining revenue. The tax is calculated on the fair‑market value of the crypto assets at the moment they are sold on an AIFC‑approved exchange.

Two key cash‑flow rules apply:

• At least 75% of the mined coins must be sold on an AIFC exchange within 30days of mining.
• The remaining 25% can be held for up to one year, but any resale later is still subject to the 15% tax.

Failing to meet the 75% rule triggers a penalty of 5% of the unsold value per month, plus a possible suspension of the license.

Operational Rules: Digital Mining Pools & Energy Use

All miners must join a licensed Digital Mining Pool. The pool acts as an intermediary that collects hash power, distributes rewards, and reports every transaction to the AIFC. Independent solo mining is prohibited.

The government also offers the “70/30 energy program”: foreign investors fund upgrades to thermal power plants, 70% of the generated electricity goes to the national grid, and 30% is reserved for crypto mining. Joining this program can lower your electricity cost by up to 15%.

Practical Challenges & How to Overcome Them

Real‑world operators report three biggest hurdles:

1. Local staffing. Finding qualified AML and compliance officers can be tough. Partnering with a local consultancy that specializes in financial‑services compliance can shorten the hiring cycle.
2. Physical presence. The AIFC requires a rented office. Many firms share co‑working spaces inside the AIFC building to meet this rule without high overhead.
3. Documentation load. The business plan and AML‑CFT policies must be bilingual (Kazakh and Russian). Using a bilingual legal firm eases translation errors that often cause rejections.

Tip: Start the preparation phase while your legal team is still negotiating the data‑center lease. Overlapping tasks trim the total timeline to the lower end of the 6‑9month window.

How Kazakhstan Stacks Up Against Other Mining Hubs

While the tax rate is comparable, Kazakhstan’s unique DMP requirement and high asset‑sale quota make it the most controlled environment among major hubs.

Next Steps for Prospective Miners

1. Conduct a feasibility study: calculate expected hash‑rate, electricity cost, and required capital.
2. Engage a local legal advisor familiar with AIFC licensing.
3. Secure a lease or ownership claim for a data‑processing centre.
4. Choose an approved Digital Mining Pool and sign the pool agreement.
5. Begin the preparation phase and gather all AML‑CFT documentation.
6. Submit the incorporation documents to the AIFC and wait for the final license.

Following these steps keeps you on track and reduces the risk of costly re‑applications.