18.03.2025 13:40
The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) announced that all operating licenses of Pay Fix, Aypara, and İninal have been suspended. In a statement from the bank, it was reminded that an investigation is being conducted into the three companies. The reasons for the suspension of operations were listed one by one.
Last week, as part of the illegal betting investigation, many individuals, including Erkan Kork, the owner of Bankpozitif, were arrested, and following the operation, the operating licenses of three electronic payment institutions providing services in Turkey were suspended. It was learned that Ininal and Pay Fix were involved in the illegal betting investigation, and Erkan Kork, the owner of Flash TV, was arrested.
Decisions were made regarding the activities of the payment institutions mentioned in the illegal betting investigation. The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey announced that all operating licenses of Pay Fix, Aypara, and Ininal have been suspended. The bank's statement included the following expressions:
"ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL MEASURES HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED"
The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) deemed it necessary to inform the public regarding the news in the media about the investigation conducted by judicial authorities concerning Pay Fix Electronic Money and Payment Services Inc. (Pay Fix), Ininal Payment and Electronic Money Services Inc. (Ininal), and Aypara Payment Institution Inc. (Aypara), among others, under its supervision and control.
In the process leading to the suspension of the operating licenses of Pay Fix, Aypara, and Ininal under Law No. 6493;
- On September 30, 2024, with the CBRT decision numbered 11724/21323, administrative and financial measures were implemented regarding Pay Fix under the eighth paragraph of Article 21 of Law No. 6493.
- On February 28, 2025, with the CBRT decision numbered 11799/21398,
- the operating licenses of Pay Fix to provide payment services specified in the (b) and (c) clauses of the first paragraph of Article 12 of Law No. 6493, limited to the acceptance of the payment instrument, were suspended in accordance with the eighth paragraph of Article 21 of Law No. 6493.
- Additionally, it was decided to impose an administrative fine under Article 27 of Law No. 6493.
- Furthermore, as a result of the evaluations made within the scope of the investigation, with the CBRT decision dated March 14, 2025, numbered 11811/21410, all operating licenses of Pay Fix, Aypara, and Ininal under Law No. 6493 were suspended.
The CBRT continues its supervision and monitoring activities proactively to ensure that payment and electronic money institutions operate safely, uninterruptedly, effectively, and efficiently. In this context, the inspection reports prepared are shared with relevant public institutions and organizations for evaluation within their areas of responsibility.
"THE REASON FOR SEIZING THE COMPANIES IS TO CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION HEALTHILY"
Prof. Dr. Afşin Şahin, a faculty member at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University, evaluated the new regulations introduced in the laundering of illegal betting revenues and the fight against financial crimes as a guest of Abdurrahman Yazıcı. Explaining the reasons for the decision to seize Flash TV, Şahin stated that illegal betting revenues were laundered through real estate, vehicles, cryptocurrency assets, and company investments. Emphasizing that the authority of the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) to seize companies is used to ensure the healthy progress of investigations, Şahin expressed that online financial transactions and payment systems need to be monitored more strictly. He also mentioned that increasing sanctions against illegal betting advertisements could provide deterrence.