Digital banking and non-cash transactions in Kazakhstan witness unprecedented expansion.
In a remarkable display of digital transformation, Kazakhstan's financial landscape is witnessing a surge in digital banking users and non-cash transactions, surpassing the country's population figures. According to the National Bank of Kazakhstan, as of June 1, 2023, there are 81.2 million registered bank cards in the country, with an average of four active cards per person.
This digital revolution is largely attributed to the extensive usage of digital services, a mobile-first strategy, high digital financial inclusion, and integration with emerging digital asset ecosystems.
Kazakhstan boasts a highly advanced e-government ecosystem, where over 92% of government services are available online. The national portal (eGov.kz) and mobile app, which have amassed 11 million active users in 2025 alone, provide access to over 1,200 e-government services. In the first half of 2025, over 23 million digital services were delivered, with nearly 45% accessed through smartphones.
The country's strategy focuses on mobile broadband expansion and digital readiness, ranking among the global top 10 for online government services. This robust infrastructure and citizen engagement in digital platforms create an environment where frequent and multiple non-cash transactions occur regularly.
Despite income levels, the widespread availability of digital financial tools and fintech innovations promotes usage beyond what population size or average income might suggest. Many individuals and businesses conduct multiple transactions digitally, inflating transaction counts relative to demographic metrics.
Kazakhstan is also exploring advanced financial technologies, including crypto assets. The National Bank is considering investments in digital assets and establishing state reserves for seized cryptocurrencies, reflecting an advanced financial infrastructure embracing digital payments and assets.
From January to May, Kazakhstan recorded 5.4 billion non-cash transactions, totaling 70.8 trillion tenge (US$134.9 billion). Nearly 80% of all transactions were carried out via internet and mobile applications. Although only 41.3 million of these bank cards are actively used, equivalent to two active cards per inhabitant, the average monthly volume of non-cash transactions per person is a substantial 694,900 tenge (US$1,324).
Popular digital banking platforms in Kazakhstan include Kaspi.kz, Homebank, Home Credit, and Forte. Similar trends are seen in other digital economies like Poland, South Korea, and Türkiye, where financial turnover exceeds reported income by 1.5 to 2.5 times.
The high financial turnover in digital economies is indicative of a norm for fintech-driven systems, where repeated usage by individuals enabled by a comprehensive, government-backed digital ecosystem, mobile accessibility, and growing fintech adoption far exceed simple population or income-based expectations.
[1] Digital Transformation in Kazakhstan: A Comprehensive Overview, ITU, 2025 [2] Kazakhstan's Crypto Asset Regulations: A New Era for Digital Finance, Central Bank of Kazakhstan, 2023 [3] Fintech in Kazakhstan: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities, World Bank Group, 2021 [4] Mobile Broadband Expansion in Kazakhstan: Achievements and Challenges, GSMA, 2020
Technology plays a significant role in driving Kazakhstan's digital banking revolution, as fintech innovations and applications facilitate a majority of non-cash transactions. The country's advanced infrastructure and robust digital ecosystem, including crypto asset regulations, support this fintech-driven environment.
Kazakhstan's fintech strategies prioritize mobile broadband expansion, digital readiness, and integration with digital asset ecosystems. These efforts contribute to the high frequency and volume of non-cash transactions occur regularly, surpassing population and average income metrics.
