Providing crypto asset services in Turkey now has a clear legal framework. Amendments to the Capital Markets Law through Law No. 7518 brought crypto asset service providers (CASPs) under SPK supervision. In March 2025, the SPK further detailed the application procedures and capital requirements through communiqués III-35/B.1 and III-35/B.2. This guide covers the current requirements as of 2026 and a step-by-step overview of the application process.
Important: This article is for general information only. Regulations are updated frequently. Legal advice is strongly recommended for your specific application. The deadline of 30 June 2026 is approaching.
Any platform that intermediates the purchase, sale, custody, transfer or management of crypto assets qualifies as a CASP. This includes crypto exchanges, OTC desks, custody service providers and crypto asset investment advisors.
Platforms already in operation must obtain an SPK activity permit by 30 June 2026. Platforms that miss this deadline will be deemed to be operating without a legal basis and face severe sanctions.
Warning: Time is extremely limited. Preparing a complete application file typically takes several months. If you have not started yet, act immediately.
The SPK applied a 49% revaluation rate in bulletin 2025/68. Figures circulating online from before 2025 are no longer valid:
| CASP Type | Minimum Paid-in Capital (2026) |
|---|---|
| Crypto Asset Trading Platform | TRY 250,000,000 |
| Crypto Asset Custody Institution | TRY 630,000,000 |
The articles of association must be drafted to cover CASP activities. Foreign-owned structures may face additional requirements.
A comprehensive programme covering risk assessment, KYC/KYB procedures, suspicious transaction reporting and appointment of a compliance officer must be established before the application. Template-copied programmes are not accepted.
Cybersecurity policies, cold/hot wallet management procedures, business continuity plans and custody infrastructure documents must be prepared in full.
All documents must follow the SPK's current formats. Applications with missing documents, incorrect formats or inaccurate content are not processed.
With a complete file, the process takes approximately 6–12 months. The SPK may request additional information during review.
At Koru Legal, we provide end-to-end legal support for crypto asset platform licensing — from AML programme design to application file preparation and SPK meetings. The 30 June 2026 deadline is approaching.
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