Kazakhstan has taken another decisive step toward digital transformation and the development of a blockchain-driven economy with the official launch of the Solana Economic Zone Kazakhstan (SEZ KZ) — the first initiative of its kind in Central Asia built on the Solana blockchain platform.

The event, held in Astana with the support of the Solana Foundation, brought together government officials, global experts, and leaders of the Web3 ecosystem. Taking place on the eve of the Astana International Forum 2025, the launch of SEZ KZ has become a milestone at the intersection of technology, investment, and public policy.

Global best practices demonstrate that the creation of specialized zones for the digital economy is a powerful accelerator for technological advancement. For example, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) Crypto Centre has emerged as a thriving hub for blockchain enterprises, offering favorable regulation, infrastructure access, and investor engagement for Web3 startups.

Kazakhstan is drawing on these international models, adapting them to its own strategic vision. The Solana Economic Zone is poised to become a launchpad for pilot projects, knowledge exchange, and the international scaling of Kazakhstani tech ventures.

Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev emphasized that the initiative reflects the country’s readiness to integrate advanced digital technologies into its economy:

“We are committed to building a resilient and competitive digital environment. Projects like the Solana Economic Zone allow us to test and implement next-generation solutions — from asset tokenization to cultivating Web3 talent.”

The summit featured blockchain-powered solutions from international startups across diverse sectors — including energy, finance, agritech, gaming, and trade — and explored tokenization opportunities for securities, gold, real estate, and other asset classes.

The event concluded with the signing of a strategic memorandum covering three key pillars:

1. Tokenized Capital Markets

A pilot initiative involving AIX, Solana Foundation, Jupiter, and Intebix will explore the integration of tokenized financial instruments into Kazakhstan’s capital markets infrastructure.

2. Web3 Talent Development

The Ministry and the Solana Foundation will launch a national education program focused on Rust and blockchain engineering, in partnership with universities and Astana Hub.

3. Attracting Global Web3 Companies

In collaboration with Forma, dedicated support programs will be introduced to attract international Web3 startups — providing infrastructure access, regulatory support, and business incentives.

The Ministry continues its efforts to establish a robust foundation for emerging technologies — from artificial intelligence to blockchain — in pursuit of digital sovereignty and sustainable economic growth.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mdai/press/news/details/1008457?lang=kk