Early Life and Career Foundations
Timur Turlov, born in 1987, has become a prominent name in global finance. From a young age, he demonstrated exceptional analytical skills and a deep interest in economics. At the age of 16, Turlov began his career as a trader at World Capital Investments (WCI), an American investment firm, where he gained his first experience in trading and investment strategies.
Later, he joined Uniastrum Bank, where he played a key role in building infrastructure for access to the U.S. stock market. These formative years instilled in him the knowledge and expertise that would serve as the foundation for his entrepreneurial endeavors.
The Birth of Freedom Finance and Its Expansion
In 2008, amid the challenges of the global financial crisis, Turlov established Freedom Finance—a brokerage firm aimed at providing clients access to major U.S. stock exchanges. While others hesitated to invest in uncertain markets, Turlov saw opportunity and took a bold step forward.
In 2012, he identified significant potential in Kazakhstan, where Freedom Finance expanded its operations. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and market demand, Turlov built a full-fledged financial ecosystem offering:
- Brokerage services for U.S. and European stock markets.
- Banking solutions for retail and corporate clients.
This expansion laid the groundwork for the creation of Freedom Holding Corp., a consolidated financial entity that unified all operations under one brand.
A Historic NASDAQ Listing and Success Story
In 2019, Freedom Holding Corp. made history as the first financial company from the CIS to list on NASDAQ under the ticker FRHC. This milestone not only enhanced the company’s global credibility but also demonstrated the potential of emerging markets in Central Asia.
The company’s share price, initially below $15, steadily grew to over $80 by 2024, reflecting investor trust and consistent business growth. With a market capitalization approaching $5 billion, Freedom Holding Corp. stands as a beacon of success in international finance.
Freedom Holding Corp.: Building a Financial Ecosystem
Freedom Holding Corp. is now a global financial leader, operating in 22 countries and serving over 5 million clients worldwide. Its ecosystem encompasses diverse sectors, integrating technology, banking, and innovative solutions:
Freedom Bank
Acquired in 2024, Freedom Bank has become a leader in digital banking with services that include:
- Digital mortgages for real estate financing.
- Online business loans for entrepreneurs and SMEs.
- The multifunctional Freedom SuperApp, offering a unified platform for loans, insurance, and financial management.
Tradernet: A Smart Investment Platform
The Tradernet platform supports trading across global markets and is available in 16 languages. It uses AI-driven analytics for evaluating issuers, monitoring competitors, and interpreting financial news, empowering users to make informed investment decisions.
Freedom Pay
Operating in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, Freedom Pay offers seamless cross-border payment solutions that enhance sales channels and simplify customer transactions.
Freedom Insurance and Freedom Life
The insurance segment under Freedom Holding Corp. focuses on accessible, innovative solutions:
- Freedom Life: Specializes in endowment insurance with wide customer adoption.
- Freedom Finance Insurance: Pioneered an online car insurance system through DTP.kz, offering simple and quick transactions.
Freedom Telecom
Freedom Holding Corp. has also entered the telecommunications market with Freedom Telecom, a leader in connectivity and broadband technology. Its offerings include:
- 5G networks and advanced WiFi 6E/7 solutions.
- Air-to-ground internet connectivity for flights in Kazakhstan.
By 2025, Freedom Telecom plans to lay 300,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable and launch the Freedom Media Platform for streaming and content distribution.
Lifestyle and Retail Ventures
Freedom Holding Corp.’s ecosystem extends into lifestyle and retail sectors, catering to millions of consumers:
- Arbuz.kz: An online supermarket for daily essentials.
- Aviata: Travel booking and ticketing services.
- Freedom Mobile: Retail of electronics and mobile devices.
- Freedom Drive: Auto-related goods and services.
- Ticketon: A leading event and entertainment ticketing platform.
Timur Turlov’s Financial Success and Influence
Timur Turlov’s leadership has propelled Freedom Holding Corp. to remarkable heights. As of 2024, he holds a 71% stake in the company, solidifying his influence over its strategic growth.
His financial success has earned global recognition:
- In 2021, he debuted on Forbes’ list with a net worth of $2.1 billion.
- By 2024, his fortune grew to $3.3 billion, placing him 991st among the wealthiest individuals worldwide.
