Based on recent developments, including Kazakhstan's new measures to accelerate digital asset adoption, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy's plans to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and international attention surrounding the rare Akhal-Teke horse Aqzhan, Qazinform News Agency presents its weekly review of foreign media coverage.
Blockster: Kazakhstan unveils sweeping crypto push as president signs digital asset decree Kazakhstan is stepping up its push to become a leading crypto economy, with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signing a decree to accelerate digital asset adoption, Blockster reports.
The measures support stablecoin payments, tokenized financial products, tax incentives and new energy solutions for Bitcoin mining. The decree builds on the country's broader digital asset strategy introduced earlier this year and aims to position Kazakhstan as a regional hub for regulated digital finance.
It also proposes regulated stablecoin payments for cross-border trade, encourages users to move crypto assets to licensed domestic exchanges and offers tax incentives for certain digital asset activities. "Our goal is to make Kazakhstan a point of attraction for global capital and expertise while ensuring maximum transparency and protection for every participant in this market," said Zhaslan Madiyev, Kazakhstan's Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.
The government also plans to power Bitcoin mining with associated petroleum gas and surplus natural gas that would otherwise be flared, reinforcing its ambition to build a fully regulated digital asset ecosystem. South China Morning Post: Hong Kong exchange marks progress in luring more listings from abroad Hong Kong's stock exchange is attracting a growing number of international companies seeking global capital, with Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ) among the latest applicants after filing for a listing on June 30, South China Morning Post reports.
The move follows former KTZ CEO Talgat Aldybergenov's announcement that the state-owned railway operator is on track for a triple listing in Hong Kong, London and Kazakhstan by the end of 2026. According to PwC, Hong Kong is expected to see an influx of overseas issuers in the second half of the year and into 2027, driven mainly by companies from Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
"Companies looking to list in the second half have relatively shorter windows," said Perris Lee, head of equity capital markets for Asia-Pacific at Mergermarket. "They need to price and launch when market sentiment is favourable." Founded in 1997, KTZ is wholly owned by Kazakhstan's sovereign wealth fund and serves as the country's main rail operator, linking Kazakhstan with China, Central Asia, Russia, the Caspian region and Europe.
In its filing, the company said choosing Hong Kong supports the "high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative." It reported a net profit of 343.65 billion tenge ($735 million) in 2025.