The Astana International Financial Centre Court in Kazakhstan barred six platforms from providing unlicensed services and distributing related apps within its jurisdiction. AFSA disclosed the September orders on October 20. The order becomes binding on Google and Apple once they are formally served.
The Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) announced court orders on October 20 against the operators of Coinbase, BingX, Bitcoin.com, Huobi Global (HTX), BitMart and WEEX. The six crypto platforms may not provide, offer or advertise digital-asset services, or distribute related mobile applications, within the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) or to users located there without the required authorization.
Justice Sir Stephen Richards’ original September 15 ruling covered seven operators. AFSA said LBank had voluntarily restricted access to its services in Kazakhstan. Following the regulator’s September 16 application, the court removed LBank on September 18 and retained the orders against the other six operators. The rulings were published under case number AIFC-C/CFI/2026/0010.
Crypto news publisher Wu Blockchain reported AFSA’s announcement and LBank’s removal in a post dated October 21 at 00:33 UTC, then linked to AFSA’s announcement in a follow-up post:
Wu Blockchain — AIFC orders against six platforms
The post loads from X when you open it.
Why is the order limited to the AIFC?
The reasons accompanying the September 15 judgment show that AFSA initially sought restrictions across Kazakhstan when it filed the claim on February 25. A legal change effective May 1, however, gave the National Bank of Kazakhstan countrywide licensing and registration responsibilities for digital-asset services. The new Article 12-1 also permits AFSA-licensed firms to operate within the AIFC. Taking the regulators’ respective responsibilities into account, the court narrowed the requested nationwide restriction to the financial centre.
“on the territory of the AIFC or to users located in the territory of the AIFC”
AIFC Court, paragraph 2 of the September 15, 2026 order
AFSA submitted its correspondence with the National Bank to the court in an August 4 application. The judge allowed the regulator to apply again with a reasoned case for a broader injunction. AFSA said it has been working with the National Bank on unlicensed-platform activity since May 2026.
On May 5, the court allowed service by email using publicly associated support addresses or in-app contact channels. AFSA filed certificates of service on June 19 and July 17. The judge recorded that the seven operators had failed to file acknowledgments of service or defences within the required time. Following AFSA’s August 31 application, the judge entered default judgment without a hearing under procedural Rules 9.1, 9.4 and 9.7.
When does the order become binding on Google and Apple?
AFSA said on October 20 that the court documents would be sent to Google LLC and Apple Inc., the operators of Google Play and the App Store. Under court Rule 12.41, the order becomes binding on the companies once they are formally served. Dates for completed service or app removal have not been disclosed.
AFSA had also requested a separate injunction directed at Google and Apple. The judge declined to grant it at that stage because the companies were not parties to the proceedings and should have an opportunity to be heard. He envisaged discussions with the companies about implementation first, followed by a reasoned application if AFSA sought an independent order. Google and Apple may ask the court to set aside or vary the order after formally acknowledging service.
The judge also noted that knowingly facilitating a breach after notification could lead to contempt consequences. If AFSA pursues an independent injunction, it must set out the revised terms sought and the precise legal basis. Google and Apple would then have an opportunity to respond.
The operators were ordered to pay AFSA’s litigation costs jointly and severally. The total of 1,995,479.95 tenge comprises legal representation costs and court fees. The September 18 variation retained the figures while correcting errors in the amounts written out in words. The award is neither an administrative fine nor compensation payable to customers.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Legal representation | KZT 1,950,479.95 |
| Court fees | KZT 45,000.00 |
| Total | KZT 1,995,479.95 |
Licence warnings and the public register
AFSA Chief Executive Evgeniya Bogdanova said the regulator warned more than 20 platforms about AIFC rules in 2025 and began court proceedings in early 2026. Nine platforms voluntarily limited access to their applications in Kazakhstan, prompting AFSA to withdraw its claims against them. Seven operators expressed an intention to seek licences. Their application and authorization stages have not been disclosed.
The regulator argues that unlicensed operators gain an unfair competitive advantage over licensed firms by avoiding anti-money-laundering, counter-terrorist-financing, customer due-diligence and supervision costs. For users, it points to the client-asset protection, disclosure, complaints and dispute-resolution obligations imposed on licensed firms. AFSA says unlicensed operators remain outside its oversight.
AFSA’s digital-asset service provider register lists legal company names, licence numbers, status, effective dates and permitted activities in separate columns. Operating a trading facility, custody and dealing can appear as distinct permissions within a licence entry. Readers can check the legal entity providing a service alongside the relevant permission, rather than relying solely on a brand name.
Implementation details still undisclosed: Actual access conditions in each app store and a new licensing timetable for the six operators have not been disclosed. The orders contain no provision halting customer withdrawals or freezing account balances.
