Kazakhstan shuts down mobile access to 6 major crypto exchanges
September orders bind Apple and Google upon service and target unauthorized services in the AIFC; implementation remains unconfirmed. Read the full story on CryptoSlateUnderstand the crypto stories that matter and what to watch next. Get The Catalyst in your inbox
Kazakhstan’s Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) said on Oct. 20 that it plans to send court orders to Apple and Google to restrict access to six crypto platforms, including Coinbase.
The move targets app distribution as part of the regulator’s enforcement against unauthorized digital-asset services.
The order concerns services in or to users in the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), a financial jurisdiction in Kazakhstan. AFSA has not confirmed service on the app-store operators or implementation against the six platforms.
The Sept. 18 variation order covers the operators of BingX, Bitcoin.com, Huobi Global (HTX), BitMart, Coinbase and WEEX. AFSA issued the original default judgment on Sept. 15, and the variation removed LBank after its operator reported remedial measures, since AFSA says LBank independently blocked access to its services in Kazakhstan.
The restraints cover providing, offering, or marketing digital-asset services without authorization in the AIFC or to users located there. They also bar distributing or making mobile apps available through any platform to provide those unauthorized services.
Apple and Google become bound by the order as if they were parties to the case once notice has been served on them. The order also allows them to seek a change or have it set aside after acknowledging service.
That brings the app-store operators into the enforcement process alongside the platforms themselves. Restrictions on app availability would affect one route users take to access the services, but the order alone does not show what technical measures the stores will take or where they will apply them.