AIFC Announces Mid-Year Growth in Investments Totaling $2.6 Billion
Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Thriving in 2025
The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has experienced significant growth in the first half of 2025, attracting investments, expanding its ecosystem, and increasing trading activity on the Astana International Exchange (AIX).
The AIX, a key component of the AIFC, nearly doubled the number of new listings between January and June 2025, with 86 new securities listed. This growth brought the total number of securities listed on the AIX to 301 from 165 issuers.
The AIFC's success is not limited to the AIX. In the same period, the AIFC attracted $2.6 billion in investments, bringing the total cumulative investment volume to over $16.9 billion since its inception. This influx of capital has resulted in the registration of 567 new companies, expanding the AIFC's ecosystem to 4,030 participants from 85 countries.
Trading turnover on the AIX reached approximately $729 million in H1 2025, reflecting a 3.2% increase year-on-year. This growth demonstrates strong capital formation and market connectivity in the region.
The AIFC's growth is supported by various factors. Ten global custodians hold sub-accounts with the AIX Central Securities Depository, which has registered over 2.2 million retail investor accounts. The AIX has also become one of only nine exchanges globally accredited to trade International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-REC).
In addition to these achievements, the AIFC Court and International Arbitration Centre have resolved 3,961 cases in the first half of 2025, including 189 court judgments, 3,772 arbitration awards, and 1,800 mediated agreements.
The Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) has also taken steps to align with global fintech standards. In April, AFSA adopted new rules on money service providers. Furthermore, AFSA issued Kazakhstan's first license for fiat-backed stablecoins to AnchorX.KZ Limited.
The AIFC's growth is also reflected in the contributions made to the state budget. Participants contributed over 70 billion tenge (US$128 million) to the state budget in the first quarter of 2025.
The Aktobe Social-Entrepreneurship Corporation received a Second-Party Opinion from the AIFC Green Finance Centre for its upcoming social bond—the first ESG-themed bond to be issued by a social enterprise in Kazakhstan.
Moreover, the AIFC's appeal is evident as Bank CenterCredit became the first Kazakh bank to purchase I-REC certificates through the AIX in June. The first trade of I-REC was completed between Samruk-Green Energy and UK-based Valor Carbon.
AIFC Governor Renat Bekturov stated that entrepreneurs worldwide are increasingly choosing the AIFC to establish and expand their businesses. The AIFC Court now includes 789 registered lawyers from 39 jurisdictions, further solidifying its position as a global financial hub.
In conclusion, the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has experienced remarkable growth in the first half of 2025, attracting investments, expanding its ecosystem, and increasing trading activity on the Astana International Exchange (AIX). The AIFC's continued success is a testament to its commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive financial ecosystem in Kazakhstan.
[1] AIFC Press Release, "Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Attracts $2.6 Billion in Investments in H1 2025," [date], URL
[2] AIX Press Release, "Astana International Exchange (AIX) Reports H1 2025 Trading Turnover," [date], URL
[3] World Bank, "Kazakhstan's Foreign Direct Investment Surge," [date], URL
[4] AIFC Press Release, "AIFC's Role in Kazakhstan's Investor Services," [date], URL
- The growing success of the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) in 2025 has sparked interest in various sectors, especially in finance, business, and technology, as it attracts investments and expands its ecosystem.
- With the Astana International Exchange (AIX) accredited to trade International Renewable Energy Certificates (I-REC) and the issuance of Kazakhstan's first license for fiat-backed stablecoins, technology integration is playing a crucial role in the AIFC's dynamic and inclusive financial ecosystem.
