Kazakhstan launches Central Asia’s first Solana Economic Zone to boost crypto hub ambitions

Kazakhstan has officially launched Central Asia’s first Solana Economic Zone (SEZ), marking a major step toward its ambition to become a regional crypto and blockchain hub.

The new zone was introduced during the 2025 International Forum in Kazakhstan and follows through on the country’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Solana Foundation, the non-profit organization behind the Solana network.

This launch comes shortly after Solana announced a similar initiative in Dubai to foster blockchain innovation and cross-border collaboration in the UAE. Kazakhstan appears to be following suit, positioning itself as a major player in Asia’s digital economy.

Solana Economic Zone

The SEZ will be a testing ground for blockchain pilots, startup incubation, and international collaboration.

According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry (DMAI), the zone is modeled after successful initiatives like the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), which supports the growth of digital assets through regulatory clarity and infrastructure support.

Kazakhstan plans to launch a tokenized capital markets pilot involving the Astana International Exchange (AIX), Jupiter, Intebix, and the Solana Foundation as part of the broader MOU with the Solana Foundation.

This pilot aims to integrate tokenized assets into Kazakhstan’s financial markets, laying the groundwork for a blockchain-powered financial system.

In parallel, the partnership will introduce a national developer education program focused on Rust and blockchain engineering. This initiative is designed to build local Web3 expertise and attract global blockchain firms with incentives such as regulatory guidance and infrastructure access.

Digital Development Minister Zhasian Madiyev emphasized the project’s strategic nature, stating that Kazakhstan is committed to building a competitive digital environment. He noted that the SEZ will serve as a platform for experimenting with asset tokenization and nurturing the next generation of blockchain developers.

Kazakhstan’s entry into blockchain-specialized economic zones highlights its intent to lead in shaping the future of tokenized finance and decentralized technology in Central Asia.

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