Regulation On Measures Regarding MASAK

Published on Jul 21, 20257 min read

Last Update: 02.10.2025

New compliance obligations have been introduced for crypto asset service providers under the General Communique of Financial Crimes Investigation Board (Item No: 29), which was prepared by Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) operating under Ministry of Treasury and Finance and entered into force upon being published in the Official Gazette No. 32940 dated June 28, 2025.

As per this arrangement, certain limitations and controls will be implemented to increase transaction security for crypto asset transfers made by our users to other platforms or their own wallets. In addition, enhanced investigative obligations have been introduced for high-risk user profiles. Following practices will apply on our platform:

  • At least 72 hours must pass after a user's first purchase, exchange or deposit before their first crypto asset withdrawal.

  • For all withdrawals after the first transaction, a waiting period of at least 48 hours will be applied after each purchase, exchange or deposit.

  • For the transfer of the following stable crypto assets to other platforms, the daily threshold of USD 3,000 and monthly threshold of USD 50,000 should not be exceeded: USDT, USDC, DAI, PYUSD, USDG.

  • For all crypto asset transfers, it is mandatory to enter a description consisting of at least 20 characters in the transaction description field.

  • For the transfers to non-KYC foreign platforms or withdrawals to users' own wallets, recipient details such as name and surname and wallet address must be fully provided.

  • Purpose of transaction, source of assets/funds and supporting documents may be requested for user groups classified as high-risk by MASAK.

This arrangement has been prepared based on the two regulations given below with their full titles:

  • Regulation on Measures Regarding Prevention of Laundering Proceeds of Crime and Financing of Terrorism (Measures Regulation),

  • Regulation on the Program of Compliance with the Obligations of Prevention of Laundering Proceeds of Crime and Financing of Terrorism (Compliance Program Regulation). You can access the full text of the communique at here .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. I am a new user, why do I have to wait for 72 hours?

Under the General Communique of Financial Crimes Investigation Board (Item No: 29) published by Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) operating under Ministry of Treasury and Finance, it is mandatory for new users to wait for at least 72 hours before withdrawing their crypto assets for the first time. This period starts following the first purchase, deposit or exchange. The aim is to ensure proper user verification and to prevent illegal money flow.

2. Does each transaction require its own waiting period?

Yes. Each purchase, deposit or exchange starts an independent waiting period. For example, while the amount of USDT 100 deposited on July 10 only can be withdrawn on July 12, the waiting period for another USDT 100 deposited on July 11 ends on July 13.

3. Which crypto assets are subject to these limitations?

As per the MASAK arrangement, fixed asset (e.g., US Dollars) indexed crypto assets are considered to be "stable crypto assets" and subject to withdrawal limits. On the OKX TR platform, the assets within this scope are as follows: USDT, USDC, DAI, PYUSD, USDG.

4. What is the withdrawal limit for stable crypto assets?

  • Daily withdrawal limit: USD 3,000

  • Monthly withdrawal limit: USD 50,000

These limits apply only to stable crypto assets; they do not apply to transactions involving Turkish Lira or withdrawals of other crypto assets.

5. Can these limits be increased?

Partially yes. Under the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) General Communique (Item No: 29) published by Ministry of Treasury and Finance, the daily and monthly withdrawal limits determined for stable crypto assets (e.g., USDT, USDC, DAI, PYUSD, USDG) are USD 3,000 and monthly threshold of USD 50,000, respectively.

However, in the event that identity information is fully added to the transfer message and this information is verified as per the Article 24/A of the Regulation on Measures Regarding Prevention of Laundering Proceeds of Crime and Financing of Terrorism, these limits may be increased up to twice as much for the users. Which means:

  • Daily withdrawal limit can be increased up to USD 6,000, and

  • Monthly withdrawal limit can be increased up to USD 100,000.

This increase does not occur automatically; identity information must be systematically checked and verified.

In addition, as per the MASAK arrangements, exceptions may be granted for certain user profiles. For example, a board decision and necessary documents are required for users who carry out higher volume transactions (e.g., liquidity providers, market makers, or institutional investors) to be exempted from certain practices, such as withdrawal limit.

It should be noted that these limits cannot be entirely abolished. They may only be increased or exempted if certain conditions are met within the specified legislative framework.

6. Do I have to write a transaction description?

Yes. For all exit (transfer) transactions, users must enter a description consisting of at least 20 characters. This description should specify the purpose of the transaction and is stored by our platform in accordance with regulatory compliance.

7. Can I send crypto to my own wallet or a foreign platform?

Yes, but the recipient details such as name and surname and wallet address must be fully provided. If the recipient platform does not comply with the Travel Rule, additional controls and documents may be requested.

8. If my identity information is fully verified, can the 48- or 72-hour waiting period be waived?

Yes, waiting period may be waived in certain cases.

In the event that the following sender details are fully provided in the transfer message and verified by the platform in exit crypto asset transfers, as per Article 24/A of the Regulation on Measures Regarding Prevention of Laundering Proceeds of Crime and Financing of Terrorism, the 48-hour or 72-hour (for new users) waiting periods introduced by the MASAK Communiqué (Item No: 29) may be waived.

Relevant details are as follows:

  • Sender's name and surname (or title),

  • Crypto wallet address or transaction reference number,

  • At least one of the additional details such as the sender's verified address, date of birth, customer number or TR Identity Number.

If these conditions are fully met and the risk assessment by the system yields a positive result, the waiting period may be skipped. However, this is an exception and may not be valid for every transaction. In addition, this exemption only applies to withdrawals (crypto asset exit); it does not apply to deposits, purchases or exchanges.

On the other hand, as per the MASAK arrangements, it is possible to abolish the waiting period for certain users upon providing the transaction purpose along with supporting documents and the approval of the Board.

This exception may apply to users carrying out the following transactions:

  • Providing liquidity

  • Market making

  • Intermarket arbitrage

If you prove that you have carried out these transactions and provided all the necessary information/documents, your account may be exempted from the waiting period upon a Board decision.

However, simply entering your identity information completely and accurately is not sufficient to abolish these periods.

9. What should be considered when sending to platforms non-compliant with the Travel Rule?

If the recipient (e.g., a foreign exchange) is not compliant with the Travel Rule and does not share recipient information, our platform may request additional documents and descriptions. A 48-hour waiting period may be required in some cases for such transactions which are classified as risky.

10. Do all these rules also apply to transactions involving TRY?

No. No changes have been made to these arrangements for transactions involving other than stable crypto assets (e.g., TRY withdrawals or TRY-based transactions). The 48- or 72-hour waiting period only applies to crypto asset withdrawals.

11. What information should be included in the transfer message?

As per the MASAK Communique, the sender's and recipient's name and surname (or title), wallet address or reference number, and at least one of the additional details such as the sender's address, date of birth, customer number or TR Identity Number should be included. Recipient details are not subject to confirmation; however, sender details must be verified.

Disclaimer

This content is provided for informational purposes only and it is not intended to provide (i) investment advice or an investment recommendation; (ii) an offer or solicitation to buy, sell, or hold digital assets, or (iii) financial, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Digital asset holdings, including stablecoins and NFTs, involve a high degree of risk and can fluctuate greatly. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital assets is suitable for you in light of your financial condition. Please consult your legal/tax/investment professional for questions about your specific circumstances. Information (including market data and statistical information, if any) appearing in this post is for general information purposes only. While all reasonable care has been taken in preparing this data and graphs, no responsibility or liability is accepted for any errors of fact or omission expressed herein. © 2025 OKX TR Kripto Varlık Alım Satım Platformu A.Ş.

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