Kazakhstan has launched the Solana Economic Zone Kazakhstan (SEZ KZ), marking the first Web3-focused economic zone in Central Asia.
Built on the Solana blockchain and backed by the Solana Foundation, the initiative reflects Kazakhstan’s growing focus on blockchain technology and its role in shaping the country’s digital economy.
The announcement was made during an official event in Astana, just ahead of the 2025 Astana International Forum. The gathering brought together government officials, blockchain developers, and investors from around the world.
SEZ KZ to Pilot Tokenized Assets, Train Rust Developers Across Kazakhstan
According to the press release, the SEZ KZ is designed as a sandbox for emerging Web3 projects. It will serve as a platform for piloting blockchain applications and scaling Kazakhstani tech ventures internationally.
Officials say the model draws inspiration from other digital zones like Dubai’s DMCC Crypto Centre but is being shaped to meet local needs.
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry, Zhaslan Madiyev, highlighted the broader vision behind the initiative.
“We are committed to building a resilient and competitive digital environment. Projects like the Solana Economic Zone allow us to test and implement next-generation solutions — from asset tokenization to cultivating Web3 talent,” he stated during the summit.
The event also featured use cases from global startups working across industries such as energy, finance, agritech, and gaming. Participants also explored opportunities to tokenize traditional assets, including real estate, gold, and securities.
As part of the launch, a strategic memorandum was signed between key stakeholders. One of the major initiatives includes a tokenized capital markets pilot, talent development, and startup support.
A pilot program involving the Astana International Exchange (AIX), the Solana Foundation, Jupiter, and Intebix will explore how tokenized financial instruments could be integrated into Kazakhstan’s capital markets infrastructure.
On the education front, the Ministry and Solana Foundation announced a nationwide program focused on Rust programming and blockchain engineering. The program will partner with local universities and Astana Hub to train developers in next-gen Web3 skills.
To attract international blockchain companies, the ministry will work with Forma to introduce support schemes for foreign startups. These include access to infrastructure, legal guidance, and incentives designed to make Kazakhstan more attractive for digital asset firms.
Kazakhstan’s launch of SEZ KZ signals a strong commitment to positioning itself as a leader in digital innovation across Central Asia. They see Web3 and blockchain as part of a wider push toward digital sovereignty.
The government continues to invest in frameworks for emerging technologies, including blockchain and artificial intelligence, as part of its long-term goal of digital sovereignty and economic modernization.
Kazakhstan Doubles Down on Crypto Innovation with “CryptoCity” Pilot Zone
Previously, Kazakhstan announced that it was doubling down on its crypto ambitions by preparing to launch “CryptoCity,” a pilot zone where cryptocurrencies can be used for everyday payments.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev unveiled the initiative during the Astana International Forum 2025, calling it a regulated sandbox for testing real-world crypto adoption.
“We are planning to create a pioneering pilot zone called CryptoCity where cryptocurrencies might be used for purchasing goods, services, and even beyond,” he said.
While full details remain under wraps, CryptoCity signals Kazakhstan’s growing commitment to crypto as a national strategy. The government is actively creating an environment to attract blockchain ventures and experiment with new use cases beyond just mining.
The country’s crypto infrastructure has seen rapid development. Since 2023, 415,000 mining rigs have been registered, 84 licenses issued, and five mining pools accredited.
Trading volumes at the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), Kazakhstan’s regulated digital asset hub, rose from $324 million in 2023 to $1.4 billion in 2024.
Authorities are also planning to extend crypto regulations beyond AIFC. According to Vice Minister Kanysh Tuleushin, the government is working with the National Bank to shape a broader legal framework.
The country is developing a central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital tenge, with a launch expected this year.
Meanwhile, regional interest is rising, with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan also stepping up blockchain adoption, including Binance’s new partnerships in the region.
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