Kazakhstan Rolls Out State-Backed Crypto Fund with BNB Investment

Kazakhstan has created the Alem Crypto Fund, a state-backed crypto reserve aimed at holding and investing in digital assets. The fund made its first purchase in BNB, the native cryptocurrency of the BNB Chain, which became the first asset in its portfolio.

Kazakhstan’s Strategic Crypto Initiative

The Alem Crypto Fund was explained to be more than just an investment vehicle. It is designed to build a pool of digital assets that can serve as strategic reserves, helping to strengthen Kazakhstan’s financial stability over time. It could also function as a form of “vehicle for state-level savings, expanding the country’s capabilities in managing the finances of tomorrow.”

To bring this vision to life, the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development initiated the project. Its operations are overseen by Qazaqstan Venture Group to ensure professional management, and the fund is registered under the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), which provides a clear framework for compliance and regulation.

Partnership with Binance Kazakhstan

A key part of the fund’s launch is its partnership with Binance Kazakhstan, a locally licensed branch of the global Binance network. Through this collaboration, the Alem Crypto Fund made its first investment in BNB. However, the announcement did not disclose the amount of BNB purchased or provide details on potential future investments.

Kazakhstan’s partnership with Binance is not new. In 2022, the company’s former CEO, Changpeng Zhao, signed an agreement with the Ministry of Digital Development to help develop a national cryptocurrency regulatory framework. The establishment of the Alem Crypto Fund can be seen as a continuation of this cooperation, reflecting how the partnership has developed into a practical initiative.

Expanding Role in Digital Currency

Prior to the Alem Crypto Fund, the government introduced a stablecoin pegged to its national currency, the tenge. Named KZTE, the coin was issued on the Solana blockchain in collaboration with Eurasian Bank, Mastercard, and Intebix. 

Regarding the launch, Lilu, president of the Solana Foundation, pointed out Kazakhstan’s long-standing involvement in crypto, highlighting its early participation in Bitcoin mining and blockchain research—a history that remains significant. In 2021, Kazakhstan was the world’s second-largest contributor to Bitcoin hashrate.

This experience in crypto appears to have laid the groundwork for the Alem Crypto Fund. Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, described the launch as “a step toward advancing digital finance in Kazakhstan.” He added, “Our goal is to make it a reliable instrument for major investors and a key foundation for digital state reserves.”

Meanwhile, earlier this month, Cointribune reported that Kazakhstan’s president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, announced the creation of a national cryptocurrency reserve and highlighted the need to build a comprehensive digital asset ecosystem. The country’s new state-backed crypto initiatives, beginning with an investment in BNB, appear to be early steps toward implementing that plan.