Foreign media on Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan returns to dollar bond market after decade away, Romania to keep supporting energy projects in Kazakhstan

Bloomberg: Kazakhstan returns to dollar bond market after decade away

Bloomberg reports that Kazakhstan is returning to the dollar-bond market for the first time in almost a decade after a legal dispute that raised the threat of asset seizures was resolved earlier this year.

The government of Kazakhstan is offering 10-year dollar-denominated bonds today, according to individuals familiar with the matter. These bonds, which are part of a benchmark-sized deal, have been initially priced at approximately 120 basis points above the US Treasury curve. The sources requested anonymity as the discussions are not yet public.

The government has hired JPMorgan Chase & Co., Citigroup Inc. and Societe Generale SA as joint book runners, as well as BCC Invest as a lead manager.

FX News Group: Binance Kazakhstan obtains full Digital Asset Trading Facility license

Binance Kazakhstan has obtained a full Digital Asset Trading Facility (DATF) license from the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA), FX News Group reports.

The license authorizes Binance Kazakhstan to operate a digital assets trading facility, act as a broker-dealer, and provide custody services for digital assets.

Kazakhstan has become the first country in Central Asia where a Binance entity has secured a regulatory license, highlighting the nation’s forward-looking approach to financial innovation and Binance’s sustained commitment to operating at the highest standards of trust and security in line with all applicable local regulations.

For Binance Kazakhstan, obtaining the full DATF license meant undergoing a rigorous and comprehensive review, including an External Financial Audit, ISO certifications, and multiple internal and external audits to ensure full compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.

The multi-stage review by the regulator saw Binance Kazakhstan being assessed against the standards set out in a variety of specialized codes and rulebooks: the AIFC Digital Asset Activities, Conduct of Business Rules, AML laws, and other relevant regulations. The resulting approval underscores the fit of Binance Kazakhstan’s robust systems, controls, and cybersecurity protocols for the task of providing a secure, compliant platform for digital-asset trading.

Trend News Agency: Romania to keep supporting energy projects in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan

According to Ana Cristina Tinca, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, the country intends to continue supporting energy projects in both Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, Trend News Agency reports.

“The most natural conduit connecting the European Union and Kazakhstan, and bringing them closer politically and economically, is the Southern Caucasus region and Azerbaijan, a riparian Caspian country. It is equally critical to note that Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are both significant energy partners for the European Union. Consequently, the European Union, and Romania in particular (as an EU Member State at the Black Sea), will persist in their support of all initiatives that are designed to improve energy security,” she said.

As the state secretary noted, Romania is particularly concerned with the diversification of supply sources and transport routes, the sustainable development of new energy sources, and the promotion of a balanced transition to green economies.

“Naturally, increasing the volumes of hydrocarbons shipped via the Caspian and Black Seas, building new infrastructure capacities or expanding existing ones, as well as developing green energy, remain key topics of interest for us. When it comes to connectivity, we believe that policymakers in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and the European Union (including in Romania) share the same views over the importance of developing transport and logistics, energy, and digital connectivity,” Ana Cristina Tinca said.

Romania’s state secretary highlighted Romania’s involvement in key projects like ferry lines in the Black Sea, the Green Electricity Corridor, and the Black Sea-Caspian Sea Freight Corridor.

“These projects also contribute to enhancing the connections between Europe and Kazakhstan and the broader Central Asian region,” she added.

In December 2022, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary signed an agreement to build a 1,195 km electric cable under the Black Sea, allowing green energy from Azerbaijan to flow to Europe. In May, energy operators from these countries agreed to form a joint venture for the project, with its headquarters in Bucharest.

The Ring: Daniyar Yeleussinov drops Joe Noynay twice, scores fifth round stoppage in Kazakhstan

Daniyar Yeleussinov returned to action after a long hiatus, and hopes to find success in a new weight class, the Ring reports.

Yeleussinov dropped Joe Noynay twice, winning by knockout after round five Saturday night at Almaty Arena in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Yeleussinov improved to 12-0, 7 knockouts.

The southpaw Yeleussinov was sharp from the opening bell. With about 30 seconds left in the first round, a left to the body dropped Noynay to one knee. Noynay was able to beat the count, and make it out of the round.

In round four, Yeleussinov knocked Noynay down with a series of punches. Though Noynay beat the count, he was outmatched by Yeleussinov’s speed and accuracy. After round five, Noyna’s corner stopped the fight to prevent further damage.

This was Yeleussinov’s first fight since his 2021 win over Juan Hernan Leal in Kazakhstan, where he claimed a minor welterweight title. The 33-year-old from Kazakhstan, now living in Miami, is expected to fight again at 154 pounds.

Noynay, from the Philippines, drops to 23-5-2 after this loss.