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AIX marks digital finance milestone with first Bitcoin public ETF listing in Central Asia

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Astana International Exchange (“AIX” or the “Exchange”) is pleased to announce that Fonte Bitcoin Exchange Traded Fund OEIC PLC (BETF), the first spot Bitcoin ETF registered in Kazakhstan and Central Asia is admitted to trading.

Managed by Fonte Capital Ltd, the BETF offers investors regulated and transparent access to the price performance of bitcoin without requiring direct ownership of the asset. Structured as a Non-Exempt fund under the AIFC jurisdiction, it is open to a wide range of investors, including retail participants.

Backed by physical bitcoin held with a licensed custodian, BETF provides enhanced security, and operational efficiency.  The fund is designed to closely track the price of bitcoin before fees and charges, with a competitive annual management fee.

The listing supports the AIFC’s broader objective to position Kazakhstan as a leading hub for digital finance and investment in the region.

AIX Chief Markets and Products Birzhan Astayev said: “The debut of Kazakhstan’s first spot Bitcoin ETF marks a new chapter for our capital markets, bringing digital assets into the mainstream investment landscape. It reflects our commitment to connecting global investors with opportunities in Central Asia, supported by strong governance and market integrity. This milestone reaffirms Kazakhstan’s ambition to become a leading hub for regulated digital finance in the region.”

Yerzhan Mussin, Fonte Capital Ltd CEO, noted: “We offer investors a convenient and secure way to include bitcoin in their portfolios without the complexities associated with custody and inheritance of the underlying asset. We are confident that our Fund will become a sought-after instrument for investors aiming to diversify their portfolios and gain access to a new category of financial instruments.”

Reference

AIX was formed in 2017 within the Astana International Financial Centre development framework. AIX shareholders are AIFC, the Shanghai stock exchange, the Silk Road Fund, and NASDAQ, which also provides the AIX trading platform. The exchange operates within a regulatory environment based on the principles of English Law, thus providing a reliable investment environment. The mission of AIX is to develop an active capital market in Kazakhstan and the region by providing clear and favorable conditions for attracting financing to private and public businesses. AIX develops special segments for mining companies as well as infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road initiative. www.aix.kz

The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is a leading financial hub in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, designed to connect global capital with the vast opportunities of emerging markets. Positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the AIFC combines international best practices with innovative approaches to create a world-class platform for investment, business, and financial services. Since its establishment in 2018, the AIFC has attracted over USD 15.9 bln in investments into Kazakhstan’s economy. Over 4,000 companies from 80+ countries, including the USA, the UK, China, Turkiye, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and others, are registered within the AIFC’s jurisdiction. www.aifc.kz 

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Terra LUNA Classic

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Terra Classic Achieves Major Milestone with Successful Cosmos SDK 0.53 Upgrade – Full Recovery and Modern Integration After Four Years

The Terra Classic community is celebrating a significant victory. On April 17–18, 2026, the network successfully completed its long-awaited upgrade to Cosmos SDK 0.53, marking one of the most important technical achievements in the project’s history.

Validators across the globe confirmed the smooth activation of terrad v4.0.0 and the dedicated v14_1 upgrade handler. The upgrade has now brought Terra Classic fully in line with the latest standards of the broader Cosmos ecosystem.

In a heartfelt message shared on X, prominent community voice Mr. Diamondhandz1 (@MrDiamondhandz1) congratulated all validators:

“Good morning $LUNC community and congratulations to all the validators on the successful SDK 53 upgrade yesterday. Next up the market module 2.0. Keep building for Terra Luna Classic! “LUNC”

The post captured the optimistic mood perfectly — relief, pride, and excitement for what lies ahead.

A Long Journey of Resilience

It has been nearly four years since the dramatic events of May 2022 that shook the original Terra ecosystem. Many outside observers had written off LUNC and USTC as relics of the past. Yet the dedicated community refused to let the chain fade away.

Through persistent burns, governance proposals, validator commitment, and steady development work, Terra Classic has not only survived — it is now actively modernizing and reintegrating with the wider Cosmos family of blockchains. The successful SDK 0.53 upgrade is powerful proof that the recovery is real and accelerating.

This update delivers:

  • Improved performance and network efficiency
  • Enhanced security and stability
  • Better compatibility with modern Cosmos tools and infrastructure
  • A stronger foundation for future features and developer activity

In simple terms, Terra Classic just gave its blockchain a major “software refresh” that brings it up to current industry standards. The chain is now more robust, future-proof, and attractive to builders who want to create new applications on LUNC and USTC.

Community and Validator Strength on Full Display

The upgrade process showcased the maturity the community has built over the past four years. Validators coordinated flawlessly, with many reporting stable block production shortly after the planned chain halt. Multiple teams, including BiNodes, publicly confirmed they are now running on the new version and have even released updated developer tools (such as a new Python SDK) to make building on Terra Classic easier than ever.

Community sentiment across X has been overwhelmingly positive. Posts describe the moment as “the rebirth has officially begun,” “exciting times ahead,” and “a true era of independence.” Developers and data analysts are now being actively invited back to the chain, with new tools like open APIs making on-chain data more accessible.

Looking Forward: Momentum Is Building

The successful SDK 0.53 upgrade is not the finish line — it is the starting point for the next phase of growth. The community has already set its sights on Market Module 2.0, the next major improvement on the roadmap.

With the technical foundation now modernized and fully aligned with the Cosmos ecosystem, Terra Classic is better positioned than ever to:

  • Attract new developers and dApps
  • Improve utility for LUNC and USTC holders
  • Explore meaningful partnerships and integrations
  • Continue the important work of burns and ecosystem rebuilding

After four long years of resilience, the LUNC community has shown what dedication and patience can achieve. The chain is no longer just surviving — it is evolving, modernizing, and preparing for a stronger future.

A New Chapter for Terra Classic

This upgrade is more than a technical success. It is a powerful symbol of recovery and renewal. The Terra Classic that exists today is more stable, more secure, and more connected to the broader blockchain world than it has been in years.

The community’s unwavering belief has turned a challenging chapter into one of the most inspiring comeback stories in crypto. As one validator put it recently: “Many have left, but the stupid tax has remained… It really is time to address the TAX Elephant and bring back some on-chain volume.”

With the SDK 0.53 upgrade complete and the next steps already in motion, the future for LUNC and USTC looks brighter than it has in a very long time.

Keep building, keep holding, and stay positive — Terra Classic is back on track and moving forward with real momentum.

The best days for LUNC are still ahead.

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