31.03.2026 14:15
One of the crypto cards operating despite the activity ban in Turkey, KAST, has decided to withdraw from Turkey; here are the details.
The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) explicitly prohibited the use of cryptocurrencies in payments, either directly or indirectly, with its regulation dated April 16, 2021. However, recently, foreign-based crypto card services continued to operate in Turkey and promote themselves to Turkish users. Experts reminded that this situation is not a "gray area," and the ban is clear and indisputable.
As News.com, we comprehensively addressed the legal status of crypto cards in Turkey in our research news published on March 13, 2026. In the mentioned news, it was documented that KAST does not have a SPK license, banking permission, or e-money institution status. Experts emphasized that the platform's promotional activities in Turkey could be considered as unlicensed crypto service provision on their own. Following the news, a concrete step was taken.
KAST TO SUSPEND SERVICES ON APRIL 30
KAST published an official announcement regarding its card services. The announcement stated that due to changes in local regulations, the card partner decided to suspend services in Turkey, and accordingly, KAST card services would be temporarily halted in Turkey as of April 30, 2026.
According to a Turkish statement shared by an anonymous KAST account on X, it was noted that existing customers could continue to use all KAST features other than card services, and all balances in the accounts were safe and accessible. It was also mentioned in the announcement that efforts were ongoing to reactivate the service, but no specific date could be shared at this stage. The fact that existing Turkish users would continue to use KAST also raised questions.