Regulation

Turkey Plans to Let Watchdog Freeze Bank and Crypto Accounts

A crypto currency exchange shop in Istanbul. 

Photographer: Nicole Tung/Bloomberg

Turkey is preparing to give its financial crime watchdog Masak expanded powers to freeze and restrict access to bank and cryptocurrency accounts, as part of a clampdown on money laundering and financial crime.

The proposed measures, which align with anti-money laundering criteria set by the Financial Action Task Force, or FATF, are expected to be introduced through a bill to parliament, according to people familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity as the plan isn’t yet public.