Regulatory Compliance and Reporting Obligations
1 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Obligations
Under Turkish AML law, crypto asset service providers are considered “obliged institutions” (“yükümlü kuruluşlar”). Key compliance requirements:
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Customer Due Diligence (KYC): Verification of customer identity, including government-issued ID and address.
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Suspicious Transaction Reporting: Reporting any suspicious transactions or activities to MASAK without delay.
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Record Keeping: Maintaining records of all transactions, customer data, and compliance actions for at least 8 years.
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Training and Internal Controls: Regular AML/CTF training for staff and the implementation of written internal control procedures.
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Appointment of Compliance Officer: Mandatory designation of a responsible manager for AML/CTF matters.
3.2 Data Protection (KVKK)
Crypto companies must comply with Turkish data protection law (KVKK), including:
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Registration with the Data Controllers Registry (VERBIS).
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Obtaining informed consent for data processing.
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Ensuring data security and breach notification procedures.
3.3 Reporting to Authorities
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Regular (monthly/quarterly) reports to MASAK on transaction volumes, new customer registrations, and suspicious activities.
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Instant reporting for transactions above legal thresholds (e.g., above TRY 75,000).
3.4 Capital Markets Board (SPK) Oversight
If the crypto business involves token issuance, ICO/STO, or investment schemes, SPK oversight may be triggered:
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Prospectus approval may be required for public offerings.
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Marketing and investment activities may be subject to strict rules and bans.