Balaji Srinivasan shifts Network School operations to Kazakhstan

The Iskandar Puteri City Council ordered the shutdown of NSO Malaysia Sdn Bhd effective July 22, citing inspection reports and enforcement findings. This regulatory blow triggered a domino effect, with the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation moving to strip the entity of its digital status. While Srinivasan previously attempted to pause a $122 million expansion to seek legal clarity, the dispute has since broadened to include an ongoing immigration investigation, despite officials confirming that 266 residents held valid travel documents.

Kazakhstan now presents an alternative, offering the school expedited visa processes and simplified redomiciliation for international participants. The agreement covers cooperation across artificial intelligence, startup incubation, and research initiatives. This alignment fits into Kazakhstan’s broader push to cultivate digital-first developments like Alatau City, designed specifically to support blockchain and payment technologies. While the school’s website now references upcoming activities in the region, specific timelines for the new campus remain unconfirmed as the company navigates the legal fallout in Malaysia.