Amid global instability and changing economic models, it is important to look at those who not only adapt to the new reality, but also trailblaze a path for others. Timur Turlov — entrepreneur, billionaire, and founder of Freedom Holding Corp., a public company operating in 22 countries with a market cap of $8 billion — is exactly this type of man. His business approach is a well-thought-out strategy based on technology, large-scale thinking, and a deep understanding of the future rather than a set of standard solutions.
Here are selected seven key principles that helped Timur Turlov build a large financial ecosystem in Central Asia and elevate Kazakhstan’s business environment to an international level.
1. “If you want to win, learn how to wait” — patience is the first lesson in investing
Timur Turlov made his first deal with securities at the age of 15:
“My first investment was shares of Dalenergo, an energy company in Russia. I would check the company’s share price every day after the deal, but nothing happened. I sold these shares in two weeks with a small loss, and then the stock price soared sevenfold within several months,” Timur Turlov said.
This experience helped the businessman form his first rule: if you want to win, you have to refrain from impulsive actions and think in the long run. Timur Turlov has emphasized the importance of discipline, stamina and strategic thinking — especially during crises — in many of his speeches and interviews.
2. “The perfect moment never comes” — a crisis is a time for new opportunities
Freedom Finance was founded in 2008 amid the global financial crisis. At the time, Timur Turlov refused to wait for a better time:
“The biggest fortunes are forged during periods of uncertainty. When something is collapsing, this means that someone can build something new,” the businessman emphasized.
Almost all of his key projects were launched during periods of turbulence, from Freedom’s entry into the European market to the launch of Freedom Telecom, a new business line in the company’s ecosystem of various projects in Kazakhstan.
“Staying in the same place is not an option. You simply can’t stay where you are now. Therefore, you have to attack the market, the industry and technological barriers,” Turlov said in one of his recent interviews.
3. “Artificial intelligence is the present, not the future”
AI is not just a trend — it is a tool essential for businesses and individuals. According to Timur Turlov, he is an active user of ChatGPT.
“I can take a photo of a presentation on a screen, and AI will generate an analytical statement for me in seconds. This is a real boost for productivity. Just as the internet became a tool for promoting goods and services, AI provides users with tools that were previously available only to corporations,” Timur Turlov said.
Freedom has been integrating AI into investing, insurance, banking, and analytics. For Turlov, AI is not just technology but a new platform for efficiency, helping to improve speed and performance.
4. “Brand is about trust, not advertising” — the ecosystem as a unifying element in clients’ lives
Freedom Holding Corp. has been developing an integrated ecosystem where each business line logically builds on the previous one, rather than existing as a random collection of ventures. It prioritizes quality client relationships over aggressive marketing.
“One can spend millions on advertising, but if there is no trust from people, all those efforts will be in vain. People trust people, not company logos,” Timur Turlov believes.
This is why Freedom’s ecosystem includes a bank, two brokers, insurance companies, a telecom company, and lifestyle services. All of these are available through SuperApp, where customers can access information about assets, loans, insurance, accounts, and even the estimated cost of their apartments.
“We try to make our clients feel that we are not imposing anything, but helping them,” Timur Turlov said.
5. “Invest in expertise and agility” — every entrepreneur is an eternal student
“You can be one person today, another in two years and yet another in three years. The world is changing so fast that if you stay still, you will fall behind,” Turlov emphasized.
Turlov is a prime example of someone who never stops learning.
Over the past two years, the head of Freedom Holding Corp. has immersed himself in the telecommunications industry:
“For me, it was like a breath of fresh air. After years in business, working on the same tasks and challenges, burnout can happen. Telecom was a new environment where I had to learn everything — from technology to monetization models — from scratch. It simply switched my brain on.”
Currently, Freedom is building telecom infrastructure, developing 5G and creating data centers. Curiosity, adaptability, and technological vision are essential management tools that Turlov uses daily.
6. “Money is a responsibility, not a goal” — financial resources as a tool for societal development
“Wealth is not a trophy but a level of trust. If millions of people trust you, you can’t let them down,” Timur Turlov said.
He believes that entrepreneurs must manage their resources effectively and give back to society by investing in infrastructure, education, sports, and environmental protection.
Freedom Holding Corp. supports the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, opens children’s academies, and organizes international tournaments. Turlov personally participates in strategic decisions related to chess popularization, seeing it as a tool for developing critical thinking and leadership skills.
As an additional example, Freedom established QJ League, the country’s largest youth football league, fostering player development, teamwork, ambition, and progress.
A special focus is placed on environmental protection: Freedom installs reverse vending machines that accept recyclables, promotes waste reduction initiatives, and supports the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.
“When you have resources, it’s not a privilege — it’s an opportunity to do something good,” Timur Turlov said.
7. “It’s time for risk-takers” — Kazakhstan as a window into the future
“We are at a unique moment in time. Kazakhstan could become a digital hub in the region. We have data, technology and talented people. All we need to do is stop being afraid to take action,” said the head of Freedom Holding Corp., who has lived in Kazakhstan with his wife, Elena, and their six children for more than 12 years.
According to Turlov, Kazakhstan has the potential to become a platform for new leadership through the export of technologies, people, financial literacy, and independence.
“We see in the news how old systems are collapsing, and this is an opportunity. It means someone will redistribute capital and build something new.”
Timur Turlov is not just another entrepreneur. He represents a new generation of business leaders — those who think far ahead and act fast. It is safe to say that he is building something that does not yet exist — and that is what sets him apart.