Early Years and First Steps in Finance

Born in 1987, Timur Turlov embarked on his finance career as a teenager, joining World Capital Investments (WCI) at age 16 as a trader. His next career milestone was at Uniastrum Bank, where he contributed to creating infrastructure that allowed the bank’s subsidiary to access U.S. stock markets, marking his early influence in the financial sector.

The Birth of Freedom Finance

In 2008, Turlov established Freedom Finance, a brokerage dedicated to facilitating access to U.S. stock markets. His strategic move to Kazakhstan in 2012 expanded Freedom Finance’s reach, and he grew the company into a multifaceted financial firm, which later included banking and online brokerage services.

Creation of Freedom Holding Corp.

In 2019, Turlov consolidated his ventures under Freedom Holding Corp., making it the first CIS-based financial entity to be listed on Nasdaq, trading under the symbol FRHC. Initially priced at under $15, the stock has since surged, reaching over $80 by mid-2024. This growth catapulted Turlov into the ranks of global billionaires, with a net worth of $3.3 billion as of May 2024.

Building a Comprehensive Financial Ecosystem

Freedom Holding Corp. has grown into an international financial ecosystem, with a robust presence in Kazakhstan and offices in 22 countries. Its services cover a range of sectors: Freedom Bank provides digital mortgage and business loan solutions; Tradernet is an advanced, multilingual trading platform; Freedom Pay serves cross-border payment needs; Freedom Life and Freedom Insurance deliver online insurance options; and Freedom Telecom leads in broadband and 5G development. These interconnected services serve approximately 5 million clients worldwide, making Freedom Holding a significant player in the global financial landscape.

Expansion into Europe and the United States

In 2020, Freedom Holding Corp. entered the U.S. market by acquiring Prime Executions Inc., giving it a direct line to U.S. exchanges. The 2023 acquisition of LD Micro further reinforced Freedom’s presence in the American market. In Europe, Freedom Finance Europe Ltd., headquartered in Cyprus since 2021, operates across several countries and serves over 200,000 accounts. Turlov continues exploring additional markets, including Turkey, the UAE, and Azerbaijan, highlighting Freedom Holding’s ambition for global reach.

Commitment to Social Impact and Community Development

Turlov is deeply engaged in social initiatives. Since 2023, he has presided over the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, integrating chess into education and expanding opportunities for youth. As the chairman of the QJ League, a youth football project, he has fostered new pathways for young athletes in Kazakhstan. Freedom Holding’s environmental commitment includes working with the Aral Sea restoration fund, supporting a pilot program to plant native trees. The company also launched the AraldySaqta card, enabling cashback donations to environmental projects, and the QALAM multimedia project, which celebrates Central Asian history and culture.