AIFC Practice Area Hub
PRACTICE AREA · AIFC & DIGITAL ASSETS
AIFC — Astana International Financial Centre
Bond Stone is an AIFC Registered Legal Adviser — authorised to advise on AIFC law, structure AIFC entities, prepare AFSA licensing applications, appear before the AIFC Court as of right, and act as an Authorised Agent of the AIFC Investment Tax Residency Programme.
The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is Kazakhstan’s English common law financial jurisdiction — operating independently of Kazakhstani civil law, with its own company regulations, contract law, regulatory framework (AFSA), and court system. Over 2,300 firms from 78 countries are now registered in the AIFC across banking, investment management, digital assets, professional services, and fintech.
Bond Stone advises international clients on the full spectrum of AIFC mandates — from initial entity structuring and AFSA licence applications through ongoing regulatory compliance, AIFC Court proceedings, enforcement of AIFC Court judgments, and Investment Tax Residency Programme applications.
AIFC — Key Facts
2,300+
Registered participants from 78 countries
0%
CIT, VAT, property tax for AIFC participants until 1 January 2066
English
Governing law and official working language of the AIFC
8
AIFC RLA specialisations held by Bond Stone —
Core AIFC Services
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AIFC Entity Formation Company, LLP, SPC, branch — AIFC Company Regulations 2017. Remote incorporation — no physical presence required.
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AFSA Licensing — Complete Guide All regulated activities — digital assets, payment services, investment management, banking, insurance, Islamic finance, capital markets.
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AIFC Court — Proceedings & Enforcement AIFC Court filings, IAC arbitration, enforcement of judgments. Bond Stone holds automatic right of audience as AIFC RLA .
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AIFC Regulatory Compliance AML/CTF frameworks, AFSA supervisory engagement, Approved Individual registrations, discontinuance management.
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Investment Tax Residency Programme USD 60,000 minimum · 5-year A5 visa · 90-day residency rule · worldwide income tax exemption. Bond Stone is an Authorised Agent.
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Bond Stone AIFC RLA — Eight specialisations: Corporate & M&A · Digital Assets · Banking & Finance · Dispute Resolution · Regulatory & Compliance · Employment · Real Estate · Energy & Natural Resources. |
AFSA Licence Categories
Bond Stone advises on all AFSA regulated activity categories. Select a category for a dedicated guide including capital requirements, application process, and Bond Stone’s experience.
The AIFC Legal Framework
Independent Legal System
Separate from Kazakhstani national law. Governed by AIFC Company Regulations 2017, AIFC Contract Regulations 2017, AIFC Implied Terms Regulations 2017, and AFSA rulebooks — all based on English common law principles.
AIFC Court
Independent English-language court. Judgments enforceable in Kazakhstan through the Supreme Court mechanism. Bond Stone holds automatic right of audience as AIFC RLA — unavailable to non-RLA counsel.
AFSA — The Regulator
The Astana Financial Services Authority grants licences across all financial services categories. New DASP, DATF, Stablecoin, and STO frameworks effective 2024. Variable supervision fee cap of USD 250,000 effective 1 December 2025.
Tax Regime & DTTs
AIFC participants exempt from Kazakhstani CIT, VAT, and property tax until 1 January 2066. 100% foreign ownership. Full capital mobility. Access to Kazakhstan’s 50+ double tax treaty network.
IAC — International Arbitration Centre
Confidential commercial dispute resolution. Awards enforceable under the New York Convention in 170+ contracting states. English-language proceedings with flexible procedure.
FinTech Lab
AFSA’s regulatory sandbox for crypto, DeFi, tokenisation, and neobanking. Licence issued for up to 2 years. Participants must migrate to the full supervisory regime by end of 2026. AML/CTF obligations apply from day one.
Why Bond Stone for AIFC Matters
✦ AIFC Registered Legal Adviser — eight specialisations. Automatic right of audience before the AIFC Court.
✦ Authorised Agent of the AIFC Investment Tax Residency Programme — listed on the official ITRP website at itrp.aifc.kz
✦ Active AFSA licensing practice — digital assets, payment services, investment management, and discontinuance mandates
✦ Ranked Legal 500 EMEA and IFLR1000 — offices in Almaty and Astana with direct access to AFSA and the AIFC Registrar
✦ Entity formation + AFSA application on one mandate — no coordination across multiple providers
Primary authority: aifc.kz · AFSA: afsa.aifc.kz · AIFC Court: court.aifc.kz · ITRP: itrp.aifc.kz
Bond Stone Kazakhstan offices: Almaty · Astana
Discuss your AIFC matter
Contact Bond Stone for a confidential discussion about AIFC entity formation, AFSA licensing, AIFC Court proceedings, or Investment Tax Residency.
📧 info@bondstonelaw.com
📞 +7 (701) 729 76 72
Request a Confidential Consultation
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