Kazakhstan’s Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) announced on October 20 its intention to issue court orders targeting Apple and Google, seeking to limit mobile app access to six cryptocurrency platforms, including Coinbase. This action forms part of the regulator’s broader crackdown on unauthorized digital asset services operating within or targeting users in the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC).
The regulatory move specifically addresses app distribution channels, aiming to prevent these platforms from reaching users through official app stores without proper licensing. While AFSA has publicly declared its plans to serve the court orders to tech giants Apple and Google, it has yet to confirm receipt of the orders by the companies or their enforcement against the listed exchanges.
The court directive, originally issued on September 18, applies to operators of BingX, Bitcoin.com, Huobi Global (HTX), BitMart, Coinbase, and WEEX. Following a default judgment on September 15, the order was updated to exclude LBank after the exchange demonstrated compliance by independently restricting access to its services within Kazakhstan.
How the Orders Target Crypto App Distribution
The injunction prohibits the provision, promotion, or marketing of digital asset services without authorization in the AIFC or to its users. Additionally, it prevents the distribution or availability of mobile applications via any platform that facilitates these unlicensed services.
Upon formal notice, Apple and Google will be legally bound by the order as though they were direct parties to the case. Both companies retain the right to request modifications or challenge the order after acknowledging service.
By pulling app-store operators into the enforcement framework, this strategy impacts one major pathway users rely on to access these platforms. However, the order does not specify the exact technical measures the stores might implement or the regions where such restrictions would apply.
In its public statement, AFSA clarified that the court orders “will be sent” to the operators of Google Play and the Apple App Store. Enforcement against the remaining six platforms will proceed through the injunctions already in place.
The regulator noted that nine additional platforms voluntarily restricted access to their apps in Kazakhstan across both app stores, leading AFSA to drop its legal actions against them. These voluntary measures involve a separate set of platforms distinct from the six currently under court order.
AFSA also reported that seven platforms have expressed intent to pursue licensing for operating digital asset trading facilities. The ongoing enforcement follows earlier warnings issued to over 20 platforms in 2025 and the initiation of court proceedings in early 2026.
Coinbase previously faced access limitations in Kazakhstan in November 2023. The current initiative introduces a new enforcement mechanism through app-distribution controls tied to the September 2026 orders.
For users of the affected platforms, the immediate impact hinges on the confirmation and execution of the court orders, particularly regarding how geographic restrictions are applied within app store policies.
