Timur Turlov is a Kazakhstan-based entrepreneur, investor, and financial-services executive best known as the founder and chief executive officer of Freedom Holding Corp. Under his leadership, Freedom Holding has developed from a brokerage-focused business into a broader financial-services group with operations spanning brokerage, banking, insurance, and other businesses.
Turlov has also become increasingly involved in international chess. In September 2026, he was elected president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), adding a major international leadership role to his business career.
Who Is Timur Turlov?
Timur Turlov is the founder and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., a publicly traded financial-services company whose shares trade on Nasdaq under the ticker FRHC. The company provides financial services across multiple countries, with a particularly significant presence in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
According to Freedom Holding’s management profile, Turlov graduated from the Russian State Technological University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and management. He subsequently built experience in the international securities industry and became involved in the development of Freedom’s brokerage operations.
His career has focused heavily on investment services, financial markets, business development, and the expansion of financial products for retail and institutional customers.
Timur Turlov’s Early Business Career
Turlov’s career in financial services began before the creation of the modern Freedom Holding structure.
In 2011, he founded Freedom Finance in Kazakhstan. He later held leadership and advisory positions connected with Freedom Finance and related securities businesses. Freedom Holding’s SEC filings state that the company’s current business was established through a corporate transaction involving Turlov’s businesses and BMB Munai.
In 2015, BMB Munai entered into a reverse acquisition agreement with Turlov to acquire several companies he owned. The company subsequently became Freedom Holding Corp., with the acquisitions completed in stages through 2017. At the completion of the acquisitions, Turlov was the controlling shareholder.
This transaction became an important milestone in the development of what is now known as Freedom Holding.
What Is Freedom Holding?
Freedom Holding Corp. is a financial-services company headquartered in New York and listed on Nasdaq. Its business has expanded considerably beyond its original brokerage focus.
The company currently reports four main operating segments:
- Brokerage
- Banking
- Insurance
- Other
This structure reflects Freedom Holding’s broader strategy of building an integrated financial-services ecosystem.
Freedom’s businesses include brokerage and investment services, banking products, insurance, and technology-driven financial services.
The company says it operates in 24 countries, including Kazakhstan, the United States, several European Union countries, Uzbekistan, and Armenia.
Freedom Holding and Nasdaq
A major milestone for Freedom Holding came in 2019, when its shares were listed on Nasdaq.
The company trades under the ticker symbol FRHC, giving investors access to the company’s publicly traded common stock through the U.S. market. Freedom Holding’s shares are also traded on Kazakhstan’s KASE and the Astana International Exchange, according to the company.
Its Nasdaq listing has helped increase the company’s visibility among international investors while providing a public-market structure for its continued expansion.
How Freedom Holding Expanded Beyond Brokerage
Freedom Holding’s business has expanded through acquisitions and the development of new financial products.
One significant step occurred in 2020 when the company acquired Kassa Nova Bank in Kazakhstan. The bank was later renamed Freedom Bank Kazakhstan.
The company also acquired Prime Executions in the United States in 2020. The business, operating as Freedom Capital Markets, became the group’s entry into the U.S. market. In 2022, Freedom Holding acquired two Kazakhstan-based insurance companies, Freedom Finance Life and Freedom Finance Insurance.
These transactions helped transform Freedom from a brokerage-centered organization into a diversified financial-services group.
Freedom Bank Kazakhstan and the SuperApp
Banking has become an important part of Freedom Holding’s strategy.
In April 2024, Freedom Bank Kazakhstan launched its SuperApp, an all-in-one digital platform designed to combine banking, payment, insurance, and lifestyle services.
According to Freedom Holding’s 2026 annual report, the SuperApp had reached 5.2 million registered users by March 2026, with the user base doubling over the previous year.
The development of a digital financial platform illustrates how Freedom Holding is attempting to connect multiple services within one ecosystem rather than operating each financial product independently.
Timur Turlov’s Role at Freedom Holding
Timur Turlov remains a central figure at Freedom Holding.
Freedom Holding identifies him as its CEO and director, while a September 2026 SEC filing identifies him as the company’s CEO and chairman of the board.
The same SEC filing reported that, as of September 11, 2026, Turlov beneficially owned approximately 64.91% of Freedom Holding’s outstanding common stock, representing 41,405,112 shares.
This ownership position gives Turlov substantial voting and economic exposure to the company.
Timur Turlov and Chess
Business is not Turlov’s only area of public activity.
Turlov has been involved in chess organizations for several years. He became president of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation in 2023 and has supported initiatives involving chess education and youth development.
On September 26, 2026, Turlov was elected president of FIDE, the International Chess Federation, after receiving 110 votes in the second round of the organization’s General Assembly election.
His stated program for FIDE includes digital development, expanded chess education, stronger support for national federations, anti-cheating technology, and efforts to develop new sources of financial support for chess organizations.
Timur Turlov’s Business Strategy
Freedom Holding’s development under Turlov has increasingly centered on creating an interconnected financial ecosystem.
Rather than focusing exclusively on securities brokerage, the company has expanded into banking, insurance, payments, telecommunications, media, and other digital services.
The company’s 2026 annual report describes its overall focus as providing individuals and institutions with access to international capital markets and financial services.
This strategy can be seen in the combination of brokerage services with banking and insurance products, particularly in Kazakhstan.
Freedom Holding’s International Presence
Freedom Holding has developed an international footprint while maintaining a strong presence in Kazakhstan.
The company identifies Kazakhstan, the United States, European Union countries, Uzbekistan, and Armenia among its markets. Its businesses participate in several financial markets and exchanges, including the Astana International Exchange and Uzbekistan’s Republican Stock Exchange, while its U.S. broker-dealer has an agency-only presence on Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange.
This international structure allows Freedom Holding to serve customers across different financial markets while continuing to expand its regional ecosystem.
What Makes Timur Turlov Notable?
Timur Turlov’s career combines entrepreneurship, financial services, public-company leadership, and sports administration.
He founded the business that eventually became the foundation of Freedom Holding, helped expand the company into banking and insurance, and continues to serve as its chief executive.
His 2026 election as FIDE president also represents a significant development beyond the financial sector. His work in chess has focused on education, youth development, digital infrastructure, and international cooperation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Timur Turlov
Who is Timur Turlov?
Timur Turlov is a Kazakhstan-based entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp. He is also president of FIDE as of September 2026.
What is Freedom Holding?
Freedom Holding Corp. is a publicly traded financial-services company listed on Nasdaq under the ticker FRHC. Its businesses include brokerage, banking, insurance, and other operations.
Is Freedom Holding publicly traded?
Yes. Freedom Holding Corp. is publicly traded on Nasdaq under the symbol FRHC. The company also states that its shares trade on KASE and AIX.
How did Timur Turlov build Freedom Holding?
Turlov founded Freedom Finance in Kazakhstan in 2011. Freedom Holding’s present corporate structure developed through a reverse acquisition involving BMB Munai and several businesses owned by Turlov, with the transactions completed between 2015 and 2017.
What companies are part of Freedom Holding?
Freedom Holding’s ecosystem includes brokerage, banking and insurance businesses, along with other digital and lifestyle operations. In Kazakhstan, the company identifies Freedom Bank, Freedom Broker, Freedom Life, Freedom Insurance, Arbuz.kz, Freedom Ticketon, and Aviata among its businesses.
Final Thoughts
Timur Turlov has built his public career around financial services and entrepreneurship, with Freedom Holding becoming the central company associated with his business activities. The company has grown from its brokerage origins into a broader financial ecosystem covering brokerage, banking, insurance, and digital services.
His election as FIDE president in September 2026 adds another major dimension to his public profile. As Freedom Holding continues developing its international financial and digital businesses, Turlov’s activities remain closely connected with both the company’s expansion and his growing involvement in global chess.
