On December 20, cryptocurrency exchange Binance announced a programme to certify university students in Kazakhstan, a country in Central Asia, so they can find employment in the sector.

The exchange and the government of Kazakhstan reached an agreement to include blockchain courses in the curricula of all higher education institutions there. By 2026, the education initiative, which consists of a trading platform, will have trained and equipped more than 40,000 students in blockchain technology at universities and other higher education institutions.

The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK), the Astana International Financial Centre, the Ministry of Digital Development, and the Ministry of Education founded the Blockchain Center research lab, and the exchange is working with it on the initiative, according to the press release statement from Binance.

In accordance with the agreements made in the memorandum of collaboration it signed with the aforementioned groups, Binance will offer instructional resources and support for a fundamental blockchain course. The news release underlines the fact that Kazakhstan is now among the first nations to offer a blockchain programme to its university-based educational programmes.

Binance has been eager to grow its activities in Central Asia. The educational endeavor resulted from a meeting between Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Binance CEO Changpeng "CZ" Zhao earlier this year. The exchange received a perpetual licence from Kazakhstan's AIFC Financial Service Authority in October, allowing it to function as a platform for digital assets and offer custody services at the Astana International Financial Center. Binance is now recognised as a regulated platform in the nation as a result of acquiring this licence.

Asia Regional Head at Binance, Gleb Kostarey, said: "We support Kazakhstan’s goal to become a leading player in digital technologies which would not be possible without increasing education and blockchain adoption around the country. Binance has always valued education, and Binance Academy is one of the largest learning hubs in the blockchain industry. Our partnership with Kazakhstan state organizations is another step in bringing accessible and standard-setting blockchain and crypto education to all."