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Tengrinews.kz – The National Bank has explained the idea behind removing currency exchange rate displays from the streets of Kazakh cities.
The National Bank has initiated amendments aimed at regulating the placement of illuminated currency exchange boards – they will remain inside exchange offices but will disappear from streets, building facades, and bus stops.
As stated by the National Bank in response to an official request from Tengrinews.kz, back in the 1990s, when such boards first appeared in Kazakhstan, digital services did not yet exist, and currency exchange was a part of daily life. However, much has changed since then.
"Today, most currency exchange transactions are carried out online. Exchange rates can always be checked in banking apps and on financial institutions’ websites. With a smartphone, one can check the rate and choose a convenient exchange point in seconds. The display boards of exchange offices are not subject to regulatory requirements of local akimats. This has led to city streets becoming cluttered with chaotically placed boards. They are installed along roads, at pedestrian crossings, bus stops, and even near traffic signs, creating visual noise and potentially affecting traffic safety, as excessively bright electronic screens can impair the perception of the surrounding environment," the National Bank explained.
In many countries, the placement of informational and advertising structures has long been regulated by law to ensure that the urban environment is comfortable, safe, convenient, and aesthetically pleasing. Kazakhstan, as noted by the National Bank, is moving in the same direction.
"The National Bank has done extensive work on dedollarization. In particular, thanks to a consistent monetary policy, deposit dollarization has decreased from its peak of 69.7 percent in January 2016 to around a historic low of 22.5 percent in February 2025. In addition, prices on marketplaces and in commercial transactions are now set in tenge. We believe this is a significant joint achievement of Kazakhstan’s financial sector, business community, and society. At the same time, visual information on boards displaying foreign exchange rates does not contribute to increasing trust in the national currency," the National Bank stated.
They emphasized that access to exchange rate information is not being restricted: Kazakhstani citizens will still be able to check up-to-date rates in banking apps, on websites, and directly at exchange offices. Moreover, digital services provide real-time updates, unlike street displays, where the rates may change less frequently and not always reflect actual market conditions.
"It’s important to understand that currency exchange is not a daily necessity for most citizens. It’s not a routine transaction like paying for transport or buying groceries. Nowadays, everyone has the opportunity to plan ahead and exchange currency in a convenient format. These changes are not a ban but a step toward modern digital solutions, a more user-friendly urban environment, and the dedollarization of public thinking," the National Bank added.
As previously reported by the National Bank, the change will not affect exchange offices located inside multifunctional buildings and structures (including business centers), railway stations, casinos, inside terminals of international airports, or at automobile, sea, and river border crossing points of Kazakhstan.
All unauthorized currency rate boards may be removed as early as August 2025.
