Turkey's cryptocurrency regulation enters a critical phase: March 31, 2026, becomes the compliance deadline

Source: BTCHaber Original Title: Critical Turn in Turkey’s Crypto Regulations: Deadline March 31 Original Link: Turkey has reached a critical moment in cryptocurrency regulation. To ensure that crypto asset service providers (CASPs) operating in Turkey can continue their operations, platforms are required to sign contracts with custodians by March 31, 2026, and comply with the information system and technical infrastructure standards issued by TUBITAK.

Overview of the Regulatory Framework

The Capital Markets Board (SPK) outlined operational rules for crypto asset service providers in the secondary regulations published in March 2025. According to SPK requirements, licensed crypto platforms must sign contracts with at least one custodian and complete compliance with TUBITAK’s KVHS information system and technical infrastructure standards by March 31, 2026.

Mandatory Custody Contract Requirements

In the announcement numbered III-35/B.1 issued on March 13 regarding the establishment and operation of crypto asset service providers, SPK stipulated that institutions completing their operational license applications by June 30 must sign contracts with at least one custodian by the end of December 2025 and provide necessary technical processes and integrations within a reciprocal framework. This deadline was extended to March 31, 2026, in the principles decision published on December 4.

Therefore, crypto asset trading platforms must sign custody agreements with custodians and submit these contracts to the Capital Markets Board by March 31, 2026.

Compliance with TUBITAK Infrastructure Standards

TUBITAK’s standards for KVHS information systems and technical infrastructure set the compliance deadline as March 31, 2026. These standards require crypto asset service providers to cooperate with custodians operating in Turkey. According to the standards, “the primary and auxiliary (backup) hardware used during initialization and backup processes, as well as the software, servers, and other elements needed to operate these hardware, must be located within Turkey.”

Abdulkadir Kahraman, General Manager of Paribu Crypto Asset Custody, stated that Turkey’s crypto regulation framework explicitly equates crypto asset custody with private key control. Regulatory requirements stipulate that wallet keys and the software and servers managing these keys cannot leave Turkey’s borders, and custody technology providers must meet TUBITAK standards. Regulators aim to have access to institutions responsible for custody of user assets when needed and to identify legitimate interlocutors during this process. This means that from March 31, 2026, merely obtaining crypto custody technology services will no longer be sufficient; existing operations of crypto platforms in Turkey will be considered “non-compliant” with TUBITAK regulations.

Technical Security Standards

TUBITAK’s infrastructure standards include the following key requirements:

• Cold Wallet Management: Cold wallets must be completely offline
• Hot Wallet Protection: Private keys of hot wallets must be protected within secure hardware or environments
• Key Management: Key management can only be performed by relevant KVHS
• Multi-signature: Transfer operations require multi-signature systems and threshold cryptography
• Authentication: Authorized users must undergo multi-factor authentication
• Audit Trail: All transactions must be recorded in an auditable manner
• Governance Requirements: Information security policies must be developed by senior management, and operational details such as address definitions, key ownership, and transfer limits must be governed by clear policies

Paribu Custody’s Solution

Paribu Custody is Turkey’s first and only provider offering digital asset custody services using proprietary technology. Paribu Crypto Asset Custody’s multi-layer security architecture ColdShield® integrates HSM, SGX, and MPC technologies, providing security and governance solutions compliant with TUBITAK standards.

This framework aims to strengthen wallet security in crypto asset custody services while safeguarding Turkey’s digital sovereignty in the crypto space.