Kazakhstan court bars Coinbase and five other crypto platforms in AIFC zone
The Astana International Financial Centre Court has issued injunctions prohibiting six crypto platforms, including Coinbase and HTX, from providing unlicensed digital asset services or distributing mobile apps within the financial zone.
The Astana International Financial Centre Court granted claims initiated by Kazakhstan's Astana Financial Services Authority to prohibit operators of six crypto platforms from offering unlicensed services. The injunctions target Coinbase, BingX, Bitcoin.com, Huobi Global (HTX), BitMart, and WEEX, barring them from providing, offering, or advertising digital asset services as well as making mobile applications available within the AIFC.[2][4][5]
The court originally issued its judgment on September 15, 2026, including exchange operator LBank alongside the other firms. On September 18, the court amended the order to remove LBank after the platform took independent steps to block access to its services in Kazakhstan.[2][4]
According to the court's judgment, unlicensed digital asset offerings undermine the AIFC's regulatory framework and create unfair competition for licensed firms that bear anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing compliance costs. AFSA Chief Executive Officer Evgeniya Bogdanova noted that the ruling follows sustained supervisory and enforcement measures targeting unauthorized crypto activity.[2]
The restrictions apply strictly to users located within the AIFC and do not extend to the rest of Kazakhstan. The ruling also applies to Apple and Google as app store operators to enforce geographic restrictions. While AFSA plans to serve the orders to Apple and Google, it has not yet confirmed formal service or the implementation of resulting app store bans.[1][2][3][5][6]
Key facts
- The AIFC Court granted claims from the Astana Financial Services Authority on September 15, 2026, barring unlicensed digital asset services and mobile apps in the AIFC.
- The court injunctions currently apply to operators of six platforms: Coinbase, BingX, Bitcoin.com, Huobi Global (HTX), BitMart, and WEEX.
- LBank was removed from the court order on September 18, 2026, after independently blocking access to its platform in Kazakhstan.
- The restrictions apply strictly within the AIFC zone and do not extend across the rest of Kazakhstan.
- The court's decision extends to Google and Apple regarding geographic restrictions on application stores.
- AFSA plans to serve the court orders on Apple and Google, though confirmation of service and mobile app store restrictions remains pending.
Sources · 6 sources
- CO
CoindeskArticle ·
Kazakhstan court bars Coinbase, five others from unlicensed crypto services in Astana International Financial Centre The court injunctions apply strictly to users within the AIFC and do not extend across the rest of Kazakhstan.
Open source - CB
Crypto Briefing@Crypto_BriefingPost on X ·
⚖️TODAY: Kazakhstan’s financial regulator has obtained injunctions restricting six crypto platforms from providing or promoting digital asset services in the Astana International Financial Centre. These include Coinbase, BingX, HTX, BitMart, https://t.co/RMA7UpHBtn and WEEX. https://t.co/JrtMysw7Qc
Open source - CR
CryptoSlateArticle ·
Kazakhstan shuts down mobile access to 6 major crypto exchanges September orders bind Apple and Google upon service and target unauthorized services in the AIFC; implementation remains unconfirmed. Read the full story on CryptoSlate Understand the crypto stories that matter and what to watch next. Get The Catalyst in your inbox
Open source - WB
Wu Blockchain@WuBlockchainPost on X ·
Kazakhstan Regulator Announces Court Injunctions Against Coinbase, HTX and Four Other Crypto Platforms According to an official announcement by Kazakhstan’s Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA), the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Court has issued injunctions prohibiting Coinbase, BingX, Bitcoincom, HTX, BitMart and WEEX from offering or marketing digital asset services or distributing related mobile applications within the AIFC without the required licenses. The court issued its original ruling on September 15 and amended it on September 18 to remove LBank after the platform blocked access to its services in Kazakhstan.
Open source - TB
The Block@TheBlockCoPost on X ·
THE BLOCK: Kazakhstan has barred Coinbase, BingX, HTX, BitMart, Bitcoin[dot]com, and WEEX from offering unlicensed digital asset services within the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC). The restriction is limited to the AIFC and does not extend to the rest of the country, according to a court ruling.
Open source - CR
CryptoSlate@CryptoSlatePost on X ·
Kazakhstan’s AFSA plans to send Apple and Google court orders targeting six crypto platforms, including Coinbase. The orders cover unauthorized AIFC services, but AFSA has not confirmed service or any app-store restrictions. via @akibablade https://t.co/d89foGhUKq
Open source