The number of companies applying for cryptocurrency licenses in Turkey has increased to 76, including Coinbase, KuCoin, and others
ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, the cryptocurrency landscape in Turkey is undergoing a significant shift as major companies like Coinbase and KuCoin join the competition for the country's operating licenses. Following an update to the regulatory framework by the Capital Markets Board of Turkey (CMB), the number of applications has surged. Initially, 47 crypto companies applied for licenses under the new regulatory framework, which has now expanded to 76, including new entrants like Coinbase, KuCoin, and Gate.io.Previously recognized entities such as Binance, Bitfinex, and OKX have also participated in the application process. Despite these advancements, the CMB clarified that being listed on the "operating companies list" does not equate to obtaining official authorization. Each company still needs to receive formal approval from the board, which depends on the issuance of secondary legislation. The list will be updated as companies address regulatory deficiencies or as the CMB concludes its investigations.Turkey's Minister of Finance and Treasury, Mehmet Simsek, stated in January that local cryptocurrency legislation is nearing completion, but the anticipated draft has yet to be submitted to parliament. This regulatory uncertainty has not deterred businesses from seeking licenses, reflecting the industry's optimism and the country's strategic importance in the global cryptocurrency market. This wave of applications emerged following the implementation of the Capital Markets Law Amendment, which took effect on July 2. The law aims to provide a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency service providers in Turkey.According to data from Chainalysis, Turkey is the fourth-largest cryptocurrency market in the world, with an estimated trading volume of $170 billion. This trading volume positions Turkey ahead of significant markets such as Russia, Canada, Vietnam, Thailand, and Germany.