Record fines from MASAK to crypto companies: Icrypex, which has been in the headlines for scandals recently, was also under investigation

Crypto asset service providers were brought under the scope of Law No. 5549 on the Prevention of Laundering Proceeds of Crime as of May 1, 2021, and the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) defined these organizations as obligated institutions. Within the same year, MASAK audited whether the obligations within this scope were being fulfilled.

As a result of the audits, a total of 18 million 800 thousand TL in administrative fines were imposed on four different crypto asset service providers in 2022. The fines were issued due to the failure to fulfill obligations such as know-your-customer (KYC) procedures, suspicious transaction reporting, and the submission and preservation of information and documents.

The companies fined and their amounts were as follows:

Paribu Teknoloji AŞ: 8 million TL

Bitci Teknoloji AŞ: 4 million 250 thousand TL

Icrypex Bilişim AŞ: 4 million 100 thousand TL

BTC Türk: 2 million 450 thousand TL

IT HAD BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH SCANDALS

Gökalp İçer, Chairman of the Board of the cryptocurrency exchange ICRYPEX, was arrested for supplying drugs and attempted murder.

Göksu Çelebi, who allegedly used drugs with Gökalp İçer, who was arrested on charges of "supplying drugs" and "attempted murder," also lost his life.

Following the arrest decision, the company issued a written statement saying, "We would like to inform the public that this process has no impact on our company's operations. ICRYPEX is a crypto asset trading platform established in Turkey in 2018, operating with a strong capital structure and corporate governance approach. Our platform, which has adopted user security and transparency as its fundamental principles, has proven its reliability in the sector with its staff consisting of experienced professionals, advanced technological infrastructure, and effective operational processes."

The full text of the statement made from ICRYPEX's official account is as follows:

To the Public Information

In line with the news that has appeared in the press in recent days regarding our Chairman of the Board, Mr. Gökalp İçer, he has decided of his own free will to step down from his position as Chairman of the Board until the legal process is concluded, in order to ensure that our company's corporate reputation and operations are not negatively affected in any way.

The ongoing legal process regarding a personal matter involving ICRYPEX Chairman of the Board Gökalp İçer has no connection with ICRYPEX's legal entity, financial structure, operations, or user services. We would like to inform the public that this process has no impact on our company's operations.

ICRYPEX is a crypto asset trading platform established in Turkey in 2018, operating with a strong capital structure and corporate governance approach. Our platform, which has adopted user security and transparency as its fundamental principles, has proven its reliability in the sector with its staff consisting of experienced professionals, advanced technological infrastructure, and effective operational processes.

Standing out with its high transaction volume and transaction speed, ICRYPEX continues its activities uninterruptedly and stably with its strong partnership structure and identity as a financial institution compliant with regulations. It will continue to resolutely provide added value to its users and business partners, and provide sustainable support and services in the coming period.

We would like to inform you that the security, continuity, and legal integrity of the services we offer to all our users are under the guarantee of ICRYPEX.

Regards"

News Source: 12punto