Kazakhstan Launches First Spot Bitcoin ETF in Central Asia — Fonte Capital’s BETF Now Live on AIX

Astana, Kazakhstan – Kazakhstan has officially entered the global crypto spotlight with the launch of its first-ever spot Bitcoin ETF, the Fonte Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund OEIC (BETF), now trading on the Astana International Exchange (AIX) as of August 13, 2025.

This move positions Kazakhstan alongside major jurisdictions like the U.S., Canada, and Hong Kong in offering regulated spot Bitcoin ETFs—a milestone for both the country’s financial markets and the wider Central Asian crypto ecosystem.

Key Details of the Fonte Bitcoin ETF

Product Name: Fonte Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund OEIC (BETF)

Listing Platform: Astana International Exchange (AIX)

Launch Date: August 13, 2025

Currency: U.S. Dollars

Backing: 100% physical Bitcoin

Custodian: BitGo Trust (U.S.–regulated, insured up to $250M, offline cold storage)

Investor Access: Open to retail and institutional investors

Regulation: Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC)

Advantages: In-kind settlements, low fees, tight BTC price tracking, no private keys needed

Why This ETF Matters for Kazakhstan’s Crypto Market

From Mining Hub to Financial Leader – Since China’s 2021 crypto mining ban, Kazakhstan has emerged as a global Bitcoin mining powerhouse. This ETF signals a shift from raw mining to becoming a regulated digital asset provider.

Bridging Traditional and Digital Finance – Investors from Almaty to London can now get Bitcoin exposure via a traditional ETF without handling crypto wallets or private keys.Legal

Protections & Market Confidence – Under AIFC regulations, investor assets gain protection from sanctions and reduced dependency on foreign issuers.\

Regional Leadership – Neighboring countries like Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have taken a slower approach to crypto, highlighting Kazakhstan’s pioneering stance in Central Asia.

The BETF launch comes amid rising institutional interest in Bitcoin globally. Analysts expect strong demand, with Kazakhstan’s CryptoCity initiative and robust AIFC framework further bolstering the country’s digital asset infrastructure.

First-week trading volumes for BETF

Institutional adoption in Kazakhstan and abroad

Potential copycat products in neighboring markets