Final Countdown: Turkey Nears Completion Of Crypto Regulation Framework, Reveals Minister

Turkey’s finance minister, Mehmet Simsek, has recently announced that the nation’s crypto regulations are in their “final stages.” This development is a critical step towards establishing a regulated environment for crypto asset trading platforms within the country.

According to the report, these impending regulations are designed to mitigate the risks associated with trading in crypto assets.

One of their primary objectives is to facilitate Turkey’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) “grey list,” which identifies countries with insufficient measures against money laundering and terrorist financing. Simsek emphasized this in his statement, underlining the country’s effort to align with global financial security standards.

Establishing A Regulated Crypto Trading Environment

The proposed regulations outline a licensing framework for digital currency asset trading platforms overseen by Turkey’s Capital Markets Board (CMB). This framework will introduce minimum operating standards, including specific requirements for founders and managers, organizational obligations, and capital stipulations.

As reported by Reuters, Simsek’s announcement reflects Turkey’s approach to integrating crypto assets into its regulated financial landscape.

Notably, this regulatory move comes against Turkey’s significant position in the global crypto market. The country ranked fourth worldwide in raw crypto transaction volumes, trailing only behind the US, India, and the UK, as per Chainalysis’s report.

According to Reuters, the surge in digital currency transactions within Turkey has been primarily attributed to the nation’s struggle with high inflation and the lira’s depreciation against the dollar.

Turkey’s Additional Efforts To Exit The FATF Grey List

Turkey’s efforts to exit the FATF’s grey list extend beyond the digital currency regulation sphere. According to Finance Minister Simsek’s parliamentary commission meeting late last year, Turkey has complied with 39 out of 40 FATF standards, with crypto-assets regulation being the final hurdle.

Simsek disclosed that the comprehensive legal framework for crypto-assets is poised to strengthen Turkey’s financial system and address the last remaining concern of the FATF. The upcoming regulations are expected to prioritize licensing standards to safeguard the system against potential misuse.

Bora Erdamar, Director at BlockchainIST Center, emphasized the importance of these licensing measures for system integrity. According to Erdamar, the regulatory framework might include capital adequacy requirements, digital security protocols, advanced custody services, and compulsory proof of reserves.

Mucahit Donmez, CEO of Binance Turkey, has recently shared a positive outlook on the impending regulations, noting:

We think that ensuring the security of users’ assets and setting up certain criteria in terms of minimum capital requirements, listings and custody, and requirements for platforms to obtain operation licenses will contribute positively to the sector.

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