1. Current Legal Framework
The year 2024 marked the implementation of significant legal regulations regarding crypto assets in Turkey. With the enactment of the "Law on Amending the Capital Markets Law" on June 26, 2024, a fundamental legal framework for crypto asset service providers was established.
This regulation mandates that crypto asset service providers obtain permission from the Capital Markets Board (SPK) before establishing and operating. Furthermore, platforms operating without authorization face imprisonment ranging from 3 to 5 years and judicial fines between 5,000 and 10,000 days.
2. New Regulations and Changes Introduced
The new regulations have imposed significant restrictions and obligations on cryptocurrency exchanges:
Prohibition of Leveraged Transactions and Margin Trading:
Crypto asset service providers are prohibited from conducting leveraged transactions, margin trading, short selling, and lending operations.
Establishment of a Listing Committee:
Platforms are now required to establish a "Listing Committee" to manage the processes of listing and delisting crypto assets.
Sharing of Customer Information:
Platforms must share customers' balance information with the Central Registry Agency (MKK).
Independent Audit Obligation:
The financial and information systems audits of crypto asset service providers will be conducted by independent auditing firms approved by the SPK.