In one of the biggest crypto news today, Kazakhstan's National Bank has moved to formalize its relationship with the world's largest crypto exchange.
On September 4, 2026, Deputy Chairman Binur Zhalenov signed a memorandum of understanding that puts on track to secure the Kazakhstan license under the country's newly created Category 1 non-bank Payment Service Provider framework.
The agreement was one of three MoUs Binance signed the same day, alongside Kazakhstan's Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and the Astana International Financial Centre, during a meeting in Baku involving founder Changpeng Zhao.
Zhalenov himself described the Category 1 PSP license in a LinkedIn post, calling it essentially "a payments bank" offering a full range of payment capabilities without deposit-taking or lending. 
He added that Binance's ambition goes beyond Kazakhstan, aiming to use the country as a base to serve CIS markets and beyond.
The Kazakhstan PSP is designed specifically to bridge crypto and fiat rails, not to turn into a bank. Per the National Bank's framework, holders can:
Provide full payment processing services as a non-bank entity.
Connect digital asset transactions with traditional currency systems.
Support merchant and cross-border payment infrastructure.
They cannot accept customer deposits or issue loans, keeping the license strictly payments-focused.
Detail | Information |
Date signed | September 4, 2026 |
Signed by | Binur Zhalenov, Deputy Chairman, National Bank of Kazakhstan |
License sought | Category 1 non-bank PSP |
Related MoUs | Ministry of AI and Digital Development; AIFC |
Prior foothold | Binance DATF license, 2024 |
The Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development also confirmed the agreements through its official government channel.
This is not Binance's first regulatory step in the country. Already holds a Digital Asset Trading Facility obtained in 2024, and in July 2026 it rolled out Binance Pay with Alatau City Bank across roughly 5,000 point-of-sale terminals nationwide.
The broader goal behind this Binance crypto payment push is regional. Officials described as a potential launchpad for the Commonwealth of Independent States, a bloc of over 240 million people.
By positioning itself as a Binance regional hub, the exchange aims to route crypto-to-fiat payment services across Central Asia and neighboring markets, while talks around a possible Kazakhstan-issued stablecoin remain at an early, exploratory stage.
Alongside this Kazakhstan crypto regulation update, BNB was trading near $607, up 2.4% over 24 hours, with a market capitalization around $82.8 billion.
There is no confirmed link between the price move and the MoU announcement; broader market conditions may be driving the swing.
Confirmed the full scope of the deal in its official Kazakhstan update, noting the agreement was signed by Deputy Governor Binur Zhalenov and covers a phased roadmap for payment infrastructure and licensing.
WuBlockchain also covered this development in a tweet on X shortly after the signing.
Source: WuBlockChain X Post
Analysts tracking Kazakhstan's digital asset policy suggest this MoU signals a shift from framework-building to implementation.
Formalizing a payments-specific license, rather than a broad exchange license, could let regulators keep close oversight while still allowing crypto-rails into everyday payments.
Whether the stablecoin discussions advance may determine how far this regional ambition goes, a detail worth tracking in future crypto news on Kazakhstan's digital asset roadmap.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency markets are volatile; readers should conduct independent research before making decisions.
