Turkey Tightens the Screws: New Crypto Regulations Shock Markets – What You Need to Know
Turkish regulators just dropped a bombshell on crypto traders—new rules are coming, and they’re not messing around. Forget 'business as usual'; Ankara’s latest move could reshape the entire landscape overnight.
Here’s the breakdown:
The Crackdown Begins: No more flying under the radar. The Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) now demands full compliance from exchanges—KYC, AML, the whole bureaucratic parade. Skip a step? Enjoy your fines (or worse).
Capital Controls 2.0: Rumors swirl about lira stabilization efforts. Translation: more hoops for converting crypto to fiat. Because nothing says 'healthy economy' like trapping liquidity in regulatory quicksand.
Market Fallout: Local BTC premiums vanished faster than a politician’s promise. Traders scramble while the government insists this is 'for your own protection.' Sure it is.
One cynical truth? Heavy-handed rules rarely stop crime—they just push innovation offshore. But hey, at least the paperwork will look impressive.
New Turkish Crypto Rules Add Hurdles For Traders, Boost Investor Protection – Analyst
On June 28, 2025, MASAK issued general communique No.29 which focuses on modifying the operations of VIRTUAL asset service providers with immediate effect as part of implementing Law No. 5549 on the Prevention of Laundering Proceeds of Crime. In an X post that follows shortly after this announcement, Kesmeci combines with lawyer Ahmed Karaca to explain the key provisions of the MASAK’s new crypto directive.
For the market analyst, one of the most prominent changes is the addition of a mandatory waiting period for crypto transactions. Notably, first-time withdrawals from local exchanges now require a 72-hour hold, while subsequent transactions face a 48-hour delay. Kesmeci notes this measure is intended to combat money laundering and fraud by allowing for longer transaction time to detect suspicious activity. However, the analyst describes it as a “negative development” for traders impacting short-term trading activity on global exchanges.
Another critical provision in MASAK’s new crypto regime is the introduction of transfer limits when moving funds from an exchange to a cold wallet. Kesmeci states these limits are set at $3,000–$6,000 per day and $50,000–$100,000 per month (or crypto equivalent). However, these transfer caps only apply to stablecoins transactions with investors free to move cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and ethereum in whatever preferred amount. The Turkish analyst explains this is because the transfer limits references a 2021 regulation policy that focused solely on stablecoins.
MASAK Presses For Exchange Transparency And Asset Safety
Other changes introduced by MASAK is a transparency push that mandates all exchanges disclose new token listings to Turkey’s Public Disclosure Platform (KAP). Burak Kesmeci expresses excitement at this particular regulation as it becomes the first time crypto users gain insights into the process that produces an asset listing.
Meanwhile, MASAK is also implementing a strict custody requirement whereby 95% of user funds must be stored with approved custodians, while only 5% is allowed to remain on exchanges. Kesmeci explains this requirement will be carefully monitored as exchanges must not exceed a 90%-10% limit as MASAK aims to prevent exchange collapse such as FTX and Thodex.
