China-Kazakhstan Launch Joint Data Trade Exchange
Data providers in finance and IT can now list products on registered exchanges in both countries.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Economic Indicators
China and Kazakhstan launched a joint data economy initiative at the Global Data Ecosystem Conference 2026 in Shanghai, held October 30 to 31. Astana Data Exchange and Shanghai Data Exchange began work on their first joint listing of data products, a move that matters for providers in finance, IT and digital services seeking cross-border data trade.
Why it matters
The partnership builds on a 2025 strategic cooperation agreement between the two exchanges and reflects China's 2019 recognition of data as a factor of production. For operators, it signals that data products may soon move across the China-Kazakhstan border through regulated registered platforms rather than informal channels.
Bilateral trade reached $48.7 billion in 2025 against a stated $100 billion target. Eleven international providers, including KoDATA, are preparing to list products on Astana Data Exchange, and three Chinese institutions have been designated to register data rights.
The players
Astana Data Exchange
A Kazakhstani data exchange and one of the platforms on the national register under the Digital Code, positioned to list cross-border data products.
Shanghai Data Exchange
A Chinese data exchange designated as one of three institutions to register data rights under China's national system in 2026.
KoDATA
An international data provider preparing to list products on Astana Data Exchange.
The details
Providers can offer data products on both the Astana Data Exchange and Shanghai Data Exchange platforms, and organizations can exchange them through registered platforms under Kazakhstan's Digital Code, which took force in July 2026. The arrangement is designed to let aggregated, anonymized records be packaged and traded across both markets. Projections cited at the conference suggest Kazakhstani providers could offer market-analysis services in China on this basis, though no volumes have been committed.
Timeline
2019: China recognized data as a factor of production.
2025: The two exchanges signed a strategic cooperation agreement.
July 2026: Kazakhstan's Digital Code came into force.
October 30-31, 2026: Global Data Ecosystem Conference 2026 held in Shanghai, where the initiative launched.
Market Landscape
The initiative extends Kazakhstan's Digital Code, which took force in July 2026, into cross-border data trade with China's registered exchange system. It follows China's 2019 move to treat data as a factor of production, placing both countries' regulated exchanges on a common track.
Firms in finance and IT that handle aggregated, anonymized records should review whether their data products could be listed on registered platforms in both markets. Legal and compliance teams should confirm eligibility under each country's data-rights rules with qualified counsel before any listing.
The takeaway
Operators with exportable data assets should watch the first joint listing on the two exchanges as the test of whether the framework functions in practice. Route any decision about listing or cross-border transfer through qualified counsel before acting.
Further reading
For context on the trade and digital-economy measures behind this launch, see Economic Indicators.
Source note: This article includes information reported by China Daily.
