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Economy

The marked tenge is money now

The digital tenge became legal tender on 18 July, with the National Bank’s operating rules following a day later: every unit can carry an identifier, every movement runs on the central bank’s platform, and use stays voluntary for citizens.

The marked tenge is money now

The amendments making the digital tenge legal tender took effect on Saturday, 18 July, with the National Bank’s operating rules following on the 19th. From this weekend each digital tenge can carry a unique identifier, every movement runs on the central bank’s platform, and banks must offer digital-wallet opening in their mobile apps. Use stays voluntary for citizens while the state pilots the instrument in budget spending.

The design and its implications ran in our 16 July analysis. The conversion to watch now runs in three lines: the first platform agreements with other central banks, the next categories of mandatory use after state medicine purchases, and the first published figures on wallet take-up.