--- title: "AIFC Court Enjoins Six Crypto Exchanges Following Enforcement Actions by AFSA" description: "The Astana Financial Services Authority secured court orders barring BingX, Coinbase, and four other unlicensed platforms from operating or advertising in the financial hub." url: https://basisdesk.news/news/aifc-court-injunctions-unlicensed-crypto-platforms-afsa published: 2026-10-20T11:31:37.214Z modified: 2026-10-20T11:31:37.214Z section: Regulation & Policy author: Basis Desk Newsroom (AI-generated, source-verified) sentiment: bearish tickers: [] tags: [afsa, aifc-court, kazakhstan, coinbase, enforcement, crypto-exchanges] license: Quote with attribution to Basis Desk (basisdesk.news). Not financial advice. --- # AIFC Court Enjoins Six Crypto Exchanges Following Enforcement Actions by AFSA The Astana Financial Services Authority secured court orders barring BingX, Coinbase, and four other unlicensed platforms from operating or advertising in the financial hub. ## At a glance - **What happened:** The AIFC Court issued injunctions prohibiting six crypto platforms, including Coinbase and BingX, from offering services or apps in the AIFC without a license. - **Why it matters:** Enforcement requires Google and Apple to enforce geoblocks in Kazakhstan, restricting unlicensed operators while shielding locally supervised firms from unfair competition. - **Who is affected:** Operators and users of BingX, Bitcoin.com, Huobi Global (HTX), BitMart, Coinbase, and WEEX, as well as app store operators Apple and Google. - **Takes effect:** 2026-09-15 - **What's next:** AIFC Court orders will be delivered to Google and Apple to execute geoblocking across their app stores in Kazakhstan. - **Status:** court-ruling - **Primary source:** [AFSA – Astana Financial Services Authority](https://afsa.aifc.kz/aifc-court-issues-injunctions-against-operators-of-several-unlicensed-crypto-platforms) — afsa.aifc.kz ## Key points - AIFC Court enjoined BingX, Bitcoin.com, Huobi Global (HTX), BitMart, Coinbase, and WEEX from operating or advertising without an AFSA license. - Court directives require Apple and Google to geographically restrict access to the non-compliant platforms across their respective app stores. - LBank was removed from the injunction on Sept. 18, 2026, after independently cutting off access to Kazakhstan users. ## Editorial remark - **Context:** AFSA initiated the crackdown in 2025 by issuing formal warnings to over 20 unlicensed exchanges, subsequently bringing legal action in early 2026 against platforms that did not comply. - **Impact:** Six global exchanges face app distribution bans across Kazakhstan via Apple and Google, while compliant operators gain protection against unlicensed competitors. - **Watch:** Execution of app store geoblocks by Google and Apple, alongside licensing progress for the seven firms that indicated intent to secure AFSA approval. The AIFC Court issued injunctions prohibiting the operators of six unlicensed digital asset platforms from offering, advertising, or distributing services in the Astana International Financial Centre, the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) announced on Oct. 20 [1]. The judgment restricts operators of BingX, Bitcoin.com, Huobi Global (HTX), BitMart, Coinbase, and WEEX from providing crypto-related products or making mobile applications available within the AIFC jurisdiction without formal authorization [1]. The enforcement follows a multi-stage initiative begun in 2025, when AFSA served written warnings to more than 20 digital asset platforms regarding regulatory compliance [1]. After non-compliant firms continued operating, the regulator launched legal proceedings in early 2026 [1]. An initial ruling issued on Sept. 15, 2026, targeted seven entities alongside LBank [1]. However, on Sept. 18, the court revised its order to exclude LBank after its operator independently blocked Kazakhstani access [1]. Nine other unnamed firms voluntarily removed application store access after proceedings started, prompting AFSA to drop its claims, while seven additional platforms signaled plans to pursue local licenses [1]. ## App Store Directives and Cross-Agency Oversight Under the court's mandate, restrictions also apply directly to Apple and Google, requiring the mobile platform operators to geographically block the listed services across the Apple App Store and Google Play in Kazakhstan [1]. The court found that unauthorized operations undermine the AIFC's regime and generate unfair competition against compliant venues bearing compliance expenses tied to anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and customer due diligence [1]. The regulatory crackdown mirrors similar efforts internationally, such as when [South Korea blocked 27 unregistered crypto platforms](https://basisdesk.news/news/south-korea-blocks-27-unregistered-crypto-exchanges-fiu) to enforce domestic registration requirements. AFSA Chief Executive Officer Evgeniya Bogdanova confirmed that the agency has partnered with the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan since May 2026 to track unlicensed sector activities and safeguard regional market participants [1]. ## FAQ **Which platforms are subject to the AIFC Court injunction?** The injunctions apply to the operators of BingX, Bitcoin.com, Huobi Global (HTX), BitMart, Coinbase, and WEEX. **Why was LBank removed from the court order?** LBank independently took measures to block access to its platform in Kazakhstan, leading the AIFC Court to amend its decision on Sept. 18, 2026. **What obligations do Google and Apple have under this ruling?** The court's decision requires Google and Apple to geographically restrict Kazakhstani user access to the mobile applications of the prohibited platforms. ## Sources 1. [AFSA – Astana Financial Services Authority](https://afsa.aifc.kz/aifc-court-issues-injunctions-against-operators-of-several-unlicensed-crypto-platforms) — afsa.aifc.kz, 2026-10-20 --- Basis Desk Newsroom · AI-generated, source-verified · https://basisdesk.news/about/how-we-use-ai