Timur Turlov, born in 1987, is an inspiring entrepreneur and investor who has become a force in international finance. As the founder and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., Turlov has led the company’s growth from a local startup to a globally recognized financial services group. His leadership has fostered a unique ecosystem combining financial solutions, lifestyle services, and community initiatives.
Turlov’s journey began at the young age of 16, when he entered the finance industry as a trader at World Capital Investments (WCI). This experience inspired him to pursue higher education in economics, and upon graduation, he joined Uniastrum Bank. There, he contributed to developing the bank’s infrastructure for American stock trading, setting a solid foundation for his future ventures.
Founding Freedom Finance: A Gateway to U.S. Markets
In 2008, Turlov founded Freedom Finance to bridge the gap between clients in his region and American stock markets. His company quickly gained traction, and by 2012, he had expanded Freedom Finance into Kazakhstan, establishing it as a leading brokerage firm. This step marked the beginning of Turlov’s vision to build a comprehensive financial services platform.
Achieving a Nasdaq Listing: A Historic Step for Freedom Holding Corp.
A pivotal moment in Turlov’s career came in 2019, when he consolidated his various businesses under Freedom Holding Corp. and took the company public on Nasdaq. This listing made Freedom Holding the first CIS-based financial entity on the exchange, with shares initially priced below $15 and rising to $90 by 2024, reflecting strong market confidence in Turlov’s leadership.
Building an Expansive Financial Ecosystem
Freedom Holding Corp. has grown into a vast, multi-faceted ecosystem offering a variety of financial services across 22 countries. With a market capitalization exceeding $5 billion, the corporation operates Freedom Bank Kazakhstan, the brokerage firm Freedom Finance Global, the Tradernet trading platform, Freedom Pay, Freedom Life and Freedom Insurance, and the telecom provider Freedom Telecom. Lifestyle services like Arbuz.kz and Aviata cater to customers’ needs beyond finance, making Freedom Holding Corp. an integral part of everyday life for millions in Kazakhstan.
Expanding Horizons in the U.S. and Europe
Driven by a global perspective, Turlov expanded Freedom Holding Corp. to new markets, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. In 2020, the acquisition of Prime Executions Inc. laid the foundation for Freedom Capital Markets, its U.S.-based investment banking operation. The 2023 acquisition of LD Micro further strengthened Freedom Holding’s American presence. In Europe, Freedom Finance Europe serves more than 250,000 clients across 12 countries, contributing to the company’s global reach.
