How to strengthen strategic and operational responses to the money-laundering risks associated with virtual assets in Central Asia was the focus of the OSCE High-Level Regional Conference on Virtual Assets in Central Asia, held in Almaty on 30 March.
The conference brought together senior officials from financial supervisory authorities, central banks, financial intelligence units, prosecutors' offices and law-enforcement agencies across Central Asia, as well as international experts. Discussions focused on cross-border criminal typologies and systemic vulnerabilities related to virtual assets, alignment with international AML/CFT standards, stronger regulatory and supervisory controls, practical tools for law-enforcement authorities, the role of public-private partnerships, and options for regional licensing and passporting models for virtual asset service providers.
Opening the conference, Ambassador Bakyt Dzhusupov, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, stressed the urgency of strengthening national and regional responses as digital finance continues to evolve. "Central Asia stands at a critical juncture. As adoption of digital financial technologies accelerates, so too does the need for robust regulatory frameworks, effective supervision and strong institutional capacities," he said.
The broader importance of anticipating emerging technologies and strengthening governance was also highlighted during the event. Referring to Switzerland's priorities for its 2026 OSCE Chairpersonship, Giorgio Pompilio, Chargé d'affaires of the Embassy of Switzerland in Kazakhstan, noted: "Switzerland promotes government that is centered in human need, thus anticipating technologies are one of the priorities of Switzerland's 2026 OSCE-Chairpersonship for a safe and humane future."
Senior representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan then engaged in a regional strategic dialogue and discussed ways to strengthen cross-border co-operation in Central Asia to combat virtual asset-related financial crime. The discussion focused on information-sharing and co-ordination challenges, the potential establishment of a cryptocurrency rapid-exchange AML task force, and priority areas for regional follow-up with OSCE support.
Speakers also underscored the need for sustained support and closer co-operation in addressing the cross-border nature of virtual asset-related crime. Forhad Ahmed, Deputy Head of Central Asia Regional Programme at the British Embassy in Bishkek, said: "Virtual assets related crime doesn't stop at the borders thus UK is committed to continue supporting Central Asian partners to build capacity and enhance regularity and supervisory priorities."
John McGregor, Deputy Political/Economic Chief at the U.S. Consulate General in Almaty, emphasized the broader international dimension of the issue. "The United States is committed to protecting the integrity of the global financial system and ensuring that Central Asian countries are not exploited as conduits for illicit finance or as safe havens for sanctioned entities."
This high-level regional gathering represented a strategic milestone in the OSCE's efforts to support Central Asian participating States in addressing the complex and evolving risks associated with virtual assets through stronger policy frameworks, enhanced institutional capacities, and increased regional dialogue and cross-border co-operation.
The event was organized within the OSCE's extrabudgetary project, " Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money-Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets ," implemented by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, and funded by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.
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