Kazakhstan, a leading global center for Bitcoin mining, has established a new regulatory framework requiring large-scale crypto miners to contribute a portion of their mined digital assets to a state-backed reserve in exchange for regulated electricity quotas.
State-backed digital mining initiative
The Kazakh government approved the updated rules for what it calls “strategic digital mining” under Government Resolution No. 638. The decision was reported by local news outlet Zakon.kz, referencing documents published in the national legal database PRG.kz.
The new framework defines strategic digital mining as an arrangement granting qualified miners access to capped electricity quotas at fixed tariffs. In return, these miners must transfer part of their mining proceeds to Astana Hub, a state-sponsored technology development cluster.
Kazakhstan occupies a significant position in global Bitcoin mining. According to the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance’s Digital Mining Industry Report released in April 2025, the country ranked fifth worldwide by total mining activity.
Under the approved rules, miners who wish to obtain strategic status must comply with several strict requirements. Facilities must include a digital mining data center with a minimum 150 megawatts (MW) of capacity, and mining hardware where each device delivers at least 150 terahashes per second (TH/s).
Mini dictionary: Astana Hub, a government-backed innovation hub in Kazakhstan, focuses on supporting technology start-ups, digital transformation, and blockchain projects, serving as a bridge between the public sector and tech companies.
| Requirement | Minimum Standard |
|---|---|
| Data center capacity | 150 MW |
| Mining hardware power | 150 TH/s per unit |
| Reserve contribution | Reported 10% (unconfirmed) |
| Start date | August 1, 2026 |
Strict requirements and implementation
Applicants for strategic miner status must also employ qualified technical staff and maintain repair facilities within their data centers. Additionally, they are required to hold contracts with at least two internet service providers and keep all tax and regulatory payments current.
Successful applicants will sign agreements with Astana Hub’s autonomous cluster fund and must purchase electricity from state-recognized power-generating entities. The new regulations are scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2026.
Key details on the proportion of mined digital assets to be transferred into the government’s reserve mechanism remain unspecified. While some local reports suggest the share could be 10%, no official figure has yet been confirmed by national authorities.
Government documents specify that only miners meeting significant infrastructure criteria and regulatory compliance can access strategic electricity quotas under the new reserve mechanism.
Ongoing digital asset expansion
The revised mining rules align with Kazakhstan’s broader strategy to develop state-backed digital asset infrastructure. In September 2025, the authorities launched the Alem Crypto Fund, a government vehicle for managing long-term digital asset reserves. The initiative’s first investment involved BNB, through a partnership with Binance Kazakhstan.
Mini dictionary: The Alem Crypto Fund is a Kazakh state-backed fund that invests in digital assets for national reserves, aiming to support the country’s blockchain and crypto economy while adding digital holdings to government assets.
Authorities have also promoted wider adoption of digital assets via regulated financial services. In July 2026, Alatau City Bank and Binance Kazakhstan jointly launched Crypto Pay, a payments service enabling users to make crypto purchases through QR codes and point-of-sale devices integrated with the bank’s payments network.
Earlier, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev issued a decree to further accelerate cryptocurrency adoption as part of Kazakhstan’s financial technology development agenda.
Astana Hub’s collaboration with domestic and international organizations reflects Kazakhstan’s drive to position itself as a regional leader in regulated digital asset services.
