The Central Bank of Kazakhstan plans to invest up to $350 million of its gold and foreign exchange reserves and launch a crypto-related portfolio, with the first purchases expected in April or May, senior Kazakh officials reportedly said during a news briefing on Friday.
According to the Reuters news agency, the head of the National Bank, Timur Sulaimenov, said that the bank is preparing a list of tools for the fund. He said the basket would include crypto-related assets and would not exclude direct cryptocurrency exposure, although officials noted that the initial focus would be on listed instruments.
Deputy Governor Aliya Moldabekova said that the bank expects the first investments to start in April or May. Until then, funds allocated for the initiative will be held in money market instruments. He said investments could also include shares of companies that track digital asset infrastructure and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
This statement was made during a briefing following the bank’s interest rate decision on Friday.
🇰🇿 IN: The Central Bank of Kazakhstan plans a $350 million portfolio linked to crypto markets, which is expected to launch in April-May. pic.twitter.com/Sm0gu3qTGz
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This move is one of Kazakhstan’s clearest steps towards gaining market exposure to digital assets through resource management.
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National Business reported with reference to the Central Bank that about 350 million dollars will be allocated from the National Fund of Kazakhstan for the creation of this portfolio.
The release added that an additional $350 million from the Central Bank’s gold and currency reserves could be used to create a separate sub-portfolio related to similar assets.
Kazakhstan expands digital assets strategy
The development comes as Kazakhstan ramps up efforts to integrate digital assets into its financial ecosystem.
On November 7, 2025, officials discussed the creation of a $500 million to $1 billion public crypto reserve, funded in part by sovereign wealth and seized digital assets. The implementation of the new portfolio seems to advance these previous discussions.
Kazakhstan has also explored other initiatives related to digital assets. On September 30, 2025, the government launched the state-backed Crypto Alem Fund to invest in digital assets through the Astana International Financial Center.
Cointelegraph reached out to the National Bank of Kazakhstan, but did not receive a response from the publication.
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