# Turkey financial crime regulation and enforcement

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-financial-crime-regulation-and-enforcement
> Updated: 2026-09-23T05:05:00.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 2.

Following an investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office into a money laundering and illegal betting network involving Papel Elektronik Para ve Ödeme Hizmetleri A.Ş., the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey revoked the company’s electronic money operating license. Prosecutors claim the company’s infrastructure was used to funnel criminal proceeds through various domestic and international entities, with the investigation identifying a volume of 1.5 billion TL. Consequently, the state-run Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) has been appointed as a trustee for the company.

In response to broader efforts to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) has implemented new financial regulations. These updates include a streamlined process for handling United Nations Security Council sanction lists, with information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be published directly on the MASAK website. Banks and other obligatory entities are now required to report attempted transactions by sanctioned parties without delay.

MASAK has also adjusted several monetary thresholds for simplified customer due diligence and reporting. Key changes include raising the 10,000 TL threshold to 20,000 TL and the 25,000 TL limit to 50,000 TL. Specific updates for mobile payments via electronic communications include increasing the single transaction limit from 1,000 TL to 2,500 TL and the monthly total limit from 2,750 TL to 6,500 TL.

Additionally, a report from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) regarding Turkey’s anti-money laundering efforts noted that while financial institutions and cryptocurrency service providers generally understand their obligations, significant implementation gaps remain. The FATF specifically highlighted deficiencies in the monitoring of politically exposed persons (PEPs) and the reporting of suspicious transactions within the cryptocurrency sector.

## Claims

- The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey revoked the electronic money operating license of Papel Elektronik Para ve Ödeme Hizmetleri A.Ş. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- MASAK issued new regulations requiring obligors to report transactions linked to individuals or organizations on UN Security Council sanction lists. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- MASAK increased certain financial reporting thresholds, raising the 10,000 TL limit to 20,000 TL and the 25,000 TL limit to 50,000 TL. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- An investigation by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office uncovered a money laundering and illegal betting network involving Papel with a volume of 1.5 billion TL. (single source)
- Anti-dumping measures were imposed on the import of connection boxes used for Chinese-origin solar panels. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: MASAK implements new financial transaction limits and anti-crime measures

Turkey's MASAK has introduced new financial regulations to combat money laundering and terrorism financing, including increased transaction limits for mobile payments, prepaid cards, and electronic money.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/masak-implements-new-financial-regulations-in-turkey

### 2026-09-22: Turkey revokes Papel license amid money laundering probe

Turkey's Central Bank revoked Papel's license amid a massive money laundering probe, while MASAK tightened financial reporting rules and FATF identified implementation gaps in crypto compliance.

14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-revokes-papel-elektronik-para-license-amid-money-laundering-probe

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Cite as: Turkey financial crime regulation and enforcement. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-financial-crime-regulation-and-enforcement
