Turkey’s Crypto Crackdown: PancakeSwap and 45 Others Blocked by Regulators

Turkey’s financial landscape shook early Friday as the Capital Markets Board (CMB) blocked access to 46 crypto-related websites, including the prominent decentralized exchange (DEX) PancakeSwap, in a sweeping move to curb unauthorized digital asset services.

Announced on July 4, 2025, this action falls under the country’s Capital Markets Law, signaling a intensified regulatory stance amid global efforts to regulate the volatile crypto market. PancakeSwap, which processed over $325 billion in trading volume in June alone, ranks among global giants like Uniswap and Curve. The CMB’s decision, however, lacks detailed justification, leaving the crypto community puzzled about the specific breaches.

Other blocked platforms include Cryptoradar, a price comparison service, as Turkey aligns with nations like Kazakhstan, Russia, and Venezuela, which have blacklisted unregistered crypto entities since 2021 to combat money laundering and illicit finance. This crackdown builds on Turkey’s 2021 ban on crypto payments and recent 2024 anti-money laundering (AML) reforms. New rules mandate ID verification for transactions exceeding $425 (15,000 Turkish lira), with stricter compliance deadlines set for June 30, 2025.

The move reflects a global trend, with the DeFi market projected to grow 19.86% annually through 2027 (Statista), prompting regulators to formalize oversight. The impact could be significant. Turkish DeFi users may turn to VPNs or migrate to regulated centralized exchanges (CEXs), potentially reducing liquidity for local projects. PancakeSwap has yet to comment, but the ambiguity in enforcement criteria suggests challenges ahead for casual traders, while sophisticated users might evade restrictions.

As Turkey mirrors the EU’s MiCA framework, the crypto world watches closely. Will this push innovation underground, or force a compliant rebirth? Stay tuned for updates on this evolving narrative.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. CoinCryptoNewz is not responsible for any losses incurred. Readers should do their own research before making financial decisions.