Is Crypto Legal in Turkey?

In Turkey, cryptocurrencies are not recognized as legal tender and are prohibited from being used as payment instruments in any transaction under the Regulation on the Non-Use of Crypto Assets in Payments, which came into force on April 30, 2021 (1).

Instead, digital asset trading is allowed through licensed platforms overseen by the Capital Markets Board (SPK), which has issued two key communiqués governing crypto asset service providers’ operational, risk management, and infrastructure requirements (2).

"III-35/B.1 sayılı Tebliğ’de özetle; Kripto varlık hizmet sağlayıcıların iç denetim, iç kontrol ve risk yönetim sistemleri ile bilgi sistemleri ve teknolojik altyapılarına ilişkin düzenlemeler getirilmiştir. Tebliğ kapsamında, organizasyonel düzenlemeler, müşteri koruma tedbirleri ve mali yeterlilik şartları belirlenmiştir."

While this framework enables investors to access crypto trading services, the absence of consumer protection safeguards and the volatile nature of digital assets warrant caution; prospective users should verify that platforms are SPK-registered and compliant with anti–money laundering regulations (1)(2).

Source:
https://www.tcmb.gov.tr/wps/wcm/connect/6937855a-7c29-4d08-a26e-51ef3273c022/%C3%96demelerde%2BKripto%2BVarl%C4%B1klar%C4%B1n%2BKullan%C4%B1lmamas%C4%B1na%2BDair%2BY%C3%B6netmelik.pdf
https://spk.gov.tr/duyurular/basin-duyurulari/2025/kripto-varlik-hizmet-saglayicilarina-iliskin-iki-teblig-yayimlandi

Last updated: 16-05-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.