Kazakhstan’s Tokayev Proposes State Fund of Digital Assets as Smart City Plans Could Increase Bitcoin Adoption

• State Fund concentrates strategic crypto reserves and links them to national finance policy.

• Proposal ties digital finance to smart-city development and tax revenue from mining and licensed providers.

• Crypto ownership rose to 8% nationally in 2024; mining and licensed providers contributed seven-figure tax revenues.

State Fund of Digital Assets: Tokayev proposes a national crypto reserve to boost digital finance, secure revenues, and support smart cities. Read the plan and next steps.

What is the State Fund of Digital Assets proposed by Tokayev?

The State Fund of Digital Assets is a proposed sovereign institution to hold and manage strategic crypto reserves, created “on the basis of the National Bank’s Investment Corporation.” The fund aims to consolidate promising cryptoassets, generate strategic value and support Kazakhstan’s digital finance strategy while enforcing safeguards against fraud.

How does the State Fund fit into Kazakhstan’s digital finance strategy?

Tokayev framed the fund as part of a broader digital finance agenda that includes smart-city payments, biometric ID systems and tighter financial oversight. The proposal follows data showing crypto ownership rising from 4% (2022) to 8% (2024), and revenue contributions from licensed providers and mining operations reaching seven figures in recent reporting by KPMG Caucasus and Central Asia and official tax data.

Concept for Alatau City, Kazakhstan. Image: Caspian Group

Why is the government linking crypto to smart-city plans?

The president said Alatau City should be fully digitalized, integrating fintech, education and logistics while enabling payments with cryptocurrency. Linking a State Fund to urban projects aims to create practical demand and test use cases for digital assets in public and commercial services.

How will the State Fund manage risk and fraud?

Tokayev emphasized anti-fraud measures alongside opportunities. Proposed safeguards include an anti-fraud centre, biometric ID rollouts, and heightened oversight of banks and telecoms. The state intends continual legislative upgrades and stronger law enforcement capabilities to limit online fraud and protect the fund’s holdings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will the State Fund be governed?

Governance would be anchored in the National Bank’s Investment Corporation, with clear fiduciary duties, risk limits, audit requirements and public reporting to ensure transparency and trust.

What data supports Kazakhstan’s growing crypto adoption?

Independent reporting by KPMG Caucasus and Central Asia shows crypto ownership rising from 4% in 2022 to 8% in 2024. Official tax figures show growing contributions from licensed providers and mining operations.

How does crypto mining affect public finances?

Crypto mining generated $10.4 million in taxes over a ten-month period in the most recent reporting year, down from $16.4 million the prior year, reflecting regulatory and licensing shifts in the sector.

Key Takeaways

• State Fund creation: Centralizes crypto reserves under the National Bank’s Investment Corporation for strategic management.
• Smart-city integration: Alatau City is intended as a digital payments testbed, linking urban development to digital finance.
• Risk controls: Anti-fraud centers, biometric IDs and regulatory upgrades are central to the plan.

Conclusion

The proposed State Fund of Digital Assets positions Kazakhstan to centralize crypto holdings, capture digital-economy benefits and pilot payments within Alatau City while prioritizing anti-fraud and governance measures. COINOTAG will monitor implementation, tax outcomes and regulatory changes as the plan moves toward adoption.