Turkey Proposes Expanded Powers for Financial Crime Agency

Turkey’s Financial Crimes Investigation Agency, Masak, is set to receive expanded powers to freeze bank and cryptocurrency accounts, targeting illegal activities and meeting FATF standards.

This move could impact cryptocurrency exchanges’ operations in Turkey and drive a shift towards decentralized platforms, reflecting ongoing regulatory efforts to curtail financial crime.

Turkey’s Strategic Push in Anti-Money Laundering Measures

Understanding Turkey’s Fintech Laws and Regulations, Bloomberg News reported that Turkey plans to enhance Masak’s powers, aiming to combat illegal activities by freezing accounts and monitoring suspicious crypto transactions. These proposals are in line with anti-money laundering standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The bill introduces measures to blacklist crypto addresses related to crimes and impose trading limits to control financial fraud and illegal gambling.

“These measures are part of broader efforts to strengthen oversight of the crypto sector,” said Mehmet Şimşek, Treasury and Finance Minister. These measures may lead to increased operational costs. Masak’s proposed actions mainly focus on tackling rented accounts used in illegal operations. The bill, expected to be submitted in the upcoming legislative term, may undergo modifications before final approval.

Despite the absence of official statements from top Turkish exchanges, the community remains vigilant. If implemented, the draft legislation may prompt certain exchanges to update their procedures, potentially impacting trading volumes and prompting a shift towards decentralized exchanges.

Market Reactions and Potential Long-Term Outcomes

Did you know? Turkey’s regulatory landscape for cryptocurrency is evolving rapidly, reflecting global trends in financial oversight.

Bitcoin (BTC), as reported by CoinMarketCap, recently stood at $114,167.84 with a significant market cap of $2.28 trillion, reflecting a 58.03% dominance. The cryptocurrency experienced a 1.76% increase over the last 24 hours, although it saw a 1.48% decline in 60 days.

CoinCu’s research indicates that these regulatory trends may encourage larger exchanges to persist in their operations, while smaller entities might consolidate or exit the market. This shift parallels historical moves towards strict compliance and heightened fiscal scrutiny, reflecting broader global regulatory patterns.