Astana, Kazakhstan, October 22nd, 2026 - Bybit Kazakhstan and the Alatau City Authority have formalized intentions to work together on a suite of digital-asset initiatives for Alatau City. The two parties signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) at the AI & Digital Bridge 2026 forum, which took place in Astana from October 1 to 3.
The Alatau City Authority is the special management organization charged with operating and developing Alatau City under a bespoke legal framework. The memorandum establishes a structured channel for ongoing dialogue between the crypto platform and the City Authority as the city’s legal and regulatory environment for digital asset activity is being defined.
The MoC identifies three specific areas where Bybit Kazakhstan and the Alatau City Authority intend to cooperate:
- Tokenization of real-world assets - examining models for issuing, recording and circulating tokenized assets and instruments, and, where appropriate, admitting such instruments to trading;
- Digital asset payments - developing payment solutions for residents, businesses and visitors of Alatau City;
- Cross-border remittances - developing remittance and settlement solutions that leverage digital assets.
In comments accompanying the memorandum, Ablaikhan Aubakir, Country Manager at Bybit Kazakhstan, framed Alatau City as an opportunity to embed digital finance capabilities into an emerging urban environment from the outset. "Alatau City is a rare opportunity to build digital finance into a city from the very start, within a clear legal framework," Aubakir said. "Tokenization, payments and cross-border settlements are the areas where digital assets can bring the most practical value to people and businesses. We look forward to contributing our experience in regulated digital asset infrastructure as the city’s framework develops."
The memorandum is described by the parties as a means to create a framework for cooperation and shared development, rather than a binding commercial contract. It builds on Bybit Kazakhstan’s stated role in developing regulated digital asset infrastructure in Kazakhstan, where the entity is an AIFC Participant licensed by the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) to operate a Digital Asset Trading Facility and to provide Money Services related to digital assets.
The MoC reiterates that activities referenced in the memorandum are subject to applicable licensing and regulatory requirements and that products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions. The document does not constitute a licence, permit, authorisation or regulatory approval, nor does it represent an endorsement of any specific product or service.
Operational and market context - while the memorandum does not set specific timelines or commercial terms, it outlines intent to collaborate on infrastructure and services that touch multiple market functions. Tokenization work could influence how assets are issued and recorded within Alatau City’s legal environment; payments projects would address on‑the‑ground transactional needs for residents, businesses and visitors; and cross-border remittance activity would focus on settlement mechanisms using digital assets.
Regulatory constraints and next steps - the memorandum is a non-binding statement of intent. The parties explicitly note that any work described will require relevant licensing and regulatory approvals before moving to operational phases, and that availability will vary by jurisdiction. The text does not detail which specific approvals would be necessary, only that activities are subject to applicable regulatory requirements.
Contact details supplied in material from Bybit Kazakhstan list Marketing contact Zholayevs Sanzhar with an email address at [email protected].
About Bybit Kazakhstan
Bybit Kazakhstan is an AIFC Participant licensed by AFSA to operate a Digital Asset Trading Facility and to provide Money Services in relation to Digital Assets. The organisation says it develops compliant infrastructure to support institutions and enterprises engaging with digital assets in Kazakhstan.
About Alatau City Authority
Alatau City Authority is a special management organisation established under the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan to ensure the operation and development of Alatau City within its special legal regime.
About AFSA
The Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) is the independent regulator for financial services and related activities in the AIFC. AFSA’s mandate is to foster a fair, transparent and efficient financial centre aligned with international standards.