Kazakhstan Court Bans Coinbase, BingX, and 4 Other Crypto Exchanges

Kazakhstan's Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) court has issued injunctions against six cryptocurrency platforms for offering digital-asset services without proper licensing, extending restrictions to Google and Apple app stores operating within the jurisdiction. The Sept. 15 order named BingX, Bitcoin.com, Huobi Global (HTX), BitMart, Coinbase, LBank, and WEEX, with a subsequent amendment removing LBank after its operator voluntarily blocked access in Kazakhstan. Geographic restrictions now apply to the remaining platforms, limiting availability through official app distribution channels.

The Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA), which filed suit against the operators, said users of unlicensed platforms lack critical safeguards including asset protection, transparent disclosure, complaints handling, and dispute resolution mechanisms. AFSA CEO Evgeniya Bogdanova stated the court decision reflects "extensive and consistent efforts" by the regulator's Supervision and Enforcement teams to address unauthorized crypto activity. Kazakhstan's National Bank continues to oversee digital-asset service providers operating outside the AIFC's jurisdiction.

Nine other crypto platforms voluntarily restricted app access in Kazakhstan after AFSA warned more than 20 platforms about AIFC compliance rules in 2025, prompting the regulator to withdraw its claims against them. Seven additional firms indicated they intend to pursue licensing. Cointelegraph's requests for comment from BingX, Coinbase, and Huobi Global were not immediately answered. This action follows Kazakhstan's Financial Monitoring Agency blocking access to nearly 1,000 unregistered crypto exchanges in 2023, signaling continued enforcement against unauthorized digital-asset operations in the region.