Turkey Expands Financial Oversight to Include Crypto Wallets in Anti-Crime Push

Turkey is set to grant its financial crimes watchdog MASAK sweeping new powers to freeze and manage bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets as part of a crackdown on money laundering. The proposed measures, expected in the 11th Judicial Package, would allow authorities to shutter accounts at banks, payment firms, and crypto platforms suspected of illicit use—including rented accounts often leveraged for fraud and betting schemes.

The move signals Ankara’s intent to align with international financial regulations while tightening surveillance of digital asset flows. crypto addresses linked to criminal activity could face blacklisting, with MASAK gaining authority to impose transaction limits and mobile banking blocks. Legislative details remain fluid ahead of parliamentary submission later this year.