Timur Turlov is a Russian-born Kazakhstani entrepreneur and financier, renowned for founding Freedom Holding Corp., a multinational financial services company. His journey from a young trader to a billionaire reflects his strategic vision and resilience in navigating complex financial markets. Below is a detailed overview of his life, career, and achievements.

Birth Date, Age, and Origin

Timur Ruslanovich Turlov was born on November 13, 1987, in Lobnya, near Moscow, Russia. As of May 23, 2025, he is 37 years old. Turlov grew up in an ordinary Russian family during the turbulent post-Soviet era, which shaped his early fascination with finance.

In 2011, he relocated to Almaty, Kazakhstan, where he has since made his home, becoming a Kazakh citizen in June 2022 after renouncing his Russian and St. Kitts and Nevis citizenships. He currently resides in Almaty with his wife and six children.

Education

Turlov graduated in 2009 from the Moscow Aviation Technology University (MATI), earning a degree in economics and management. His academic background provided a strong foundation for understanding financial markets. Even during his school years, Turlov showed an early interest in stock market investments, experimenting with $800 inherited from his grandfather, though his initial trades were unprofitable. This early exposure fueled his passion for finance.

Expertise

Turlov is an expert in financial markets, particularly in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. His expertise lies in portfolio asset management, optional strategies with limited risk, and developing infrastructure for accessing global stock exchanges.

He is also a recognized innovator in creating accessible financial platforms for retail investors in emerging markets. Turlov’s strategic vision extends to integrating technology, such as AI-powered market analysis and digital payment systems, into financial services.

Career Start

Turlov’s career began at age 16 in 2003, while still in high school, when he joined the Moscow branch of World Capital Investments (WCI), an American investment company, as a junior trader. This role provided hands-on experience in global financial markets.

In 2005, at 18, he was hired by Yutreyd.ru, a subsidiary of Uniastrum Bank in Moscow, where he developed infrastructure for accessing U.S. stock exchanges, a pivotal step in his career. The 2008 global financial crisis led to the sale of Uniastrum Bank to the Bank of Cyprus, closing Turlov’s trading unit. This setback prompted him to found his own company.

Founding Freedom Finance

In 2008, at age 21, Turlov founded Freedom Finance, a brokerage firm focused on providing retail investors in post-Soviet countries access to U.S. stock exchanges (e.g., NYSE, NASDAQ). Despite the financial crisis, Turlov’s vision of democratizing investment opportunities drove the company’s growth. By actively promoting American securities, Freedom Finance attracted a growing client base. In 2011, Turlov moved to Kazakhstan, recognizing its untapped potential for financial services. In 2012, he opened Freedom Finance JSC, which became the most active trading participant on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange by 2022.

Success and Freedom Holding Corp.

In 2015, Turlov consolidated his ventures under Freedom Holding Corp., which includes brokerage, banking, insurance, and digital payment services. In 2019, he achieved a historic milestone by listing Freedom Holding on NASDAQ (ticker: FRHC), making it the first CIS-based financial institution to do so.

The company’s shares, initially priced under $15, reached $90 by 2024, with a market capitalization nearing $5 billion. Freedom Holding now operates in 22 countries, serving over 5 million clients in Kazakhstan and 250,000 in Europe. Turlov owns approximately 70-73% of the company, a key driver of his wealth.

The company’s ecosystem includes:

• Freedom Bank Kazakhstan: Retail banking services.
• Tradernet: A multilingual trading platform with AI-powered tools.
• Freedom Pay: A cross-border payment solution in Central Asia.
• Freedom Life and Freedom Insurance: Innovative insurance products, including Kazakhstan’s first online car insurance platform.
• Consumer Services: Ventures like Arbuz.kz (food-tech) and Freedom Travel (formerly Aviata, a travel booking platform).

Freedom Holding’s awards include the “Financial Elite of Russia” in 2018 for being the fastest-growing broker and multiple Kazakhstan Stock Exchange accolades (e.g., “Market Leader,” “Underwriter of the Year”). In 2022, Turlov withdrew Freedom Holding from the Russian market due to geopolitical shifts, focusing on high-growth regions like Central Asia and Europe.

Net Worth

Turlov’s net worth has grown significantly, reflecting Freedom Holding’s success. Estimates vary by source:

• January 2025: $6.1 billion (Bloomberg).
• May 2025: $7.6 billion (Wikipedia).
• 2024: $4 billion (Forbes, ranking him 825th globally).
• 2021: $2.1 billion (Forbes Global 2000, rank 1517). His wealth primarily stems from his 70-73% stake in Freedom Holding, bolstered by the company’s NASDAQ performance and diversified services.

Other Notable Contributions

Beyond finance, Turlov is committed to social and environmental initiatives:

• Kazakhstan Chess Federation: As president since 2023, he has promoted chess in public schools and earned the title “Best President of an Accredited Sports Federation.”
• QJ League: A youth football initiative to support young athletes in Kazakhstan.
• Freedom Shapagat Corporate Foundation: Focuses on sustainability, including a 2024 recycling project for plastic and aluminum in Almaty and Astana.
• UN Global Compact: In 2024, Turlov became Chairman of the Advisory Committee for Central Asia, addressing water and energy security.
• Qalam: A multimedia project highlighting Kazakh and Central Asian culture.
• International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea: Supports environmental efforts.

Turlov is also a Forbes columnist, sharing insights on finance and the digital economy. In August 2024, he partnered with Tatler Asia to publish magazines in Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan.

Challenges

In December 2022, Turlov was included on Ukraine’s sanctions list, which his Ukraine-based company called a “mechanical error” and planned to appeal. Additionally, a 2023 report by Hindenburg Research accused Freedom Holding of fraudulent practices, though Turlov and the company have not publicly addressed these claims in detail.

Personal Life

Turlov maintains a private personal life, living in Almaty with his wife and six children. His hobbies include chess, hiking, cycling, and reading fiction, which he says fuel his strategic thinking and creativity. His childhood, marked by the absence of his biological father and the influence of Hollywood movies like Home Alone, inspired his ambition to succeed in finance.

Conclusion

Timur Turlov’s journey from a teenage trader to a billionaire leading a NASDAQ-listed company is a testament to his vision and adaptability. By founding Freedom Holding Corp., he has revolutionized financial access for millions, particularly in emerging markets. His commitment to sustainability, education, and sports, combined with his financial expertise, positions him as a transformative figure in global finance and a key influencer in Kazakhstan’s development.