Becoming a professional client has become more difficult: Major change in investor criteria from the CMB

The Capital Markets Board has raised the financial asset threshold required for professional client status from 1 million TL to 10 million TL, and the transaction volume requirement from 500 thousand TL to 5 million TL.

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Becoming a professional client has become more difficult: Major change in investor criteria from the CMB

The Capital Markets Board (CMB) made a comprehensive update to the criteria for classifying investors in its bulletin dated December 19, 2025. With the principle decision of the Board's Decision-Making Body, the financial thresholds regarding professional client and qualified investor statuses have been increased.

FINANCIAL ASSET THRESHOLD RAISED

The total financial assets required to be accepted as a professional client upon request have been increased from the 1 million TL level to 10 million TL.

TRANSACTION VOLUME REQUIREMENT UPDATED

The transaction volume criterion, which was previously applied as 500 thousand TL, has been raised to 5 million TL with the regulation.

PARALLEL INCREASE FOR LEGAL ENTITIES

It was stated that the amounts foreseen for institutional investors to obtain professional client status will also be increased in line with individual investors.

EXCEPTION FOR FUND INVESTMENTS

The existing financial limits will continue to apply to investors who will purchase participation shares in real estate investment funds (REIF) and venture capital investment funds (VCIF). Qualified investors within this scope have been exempted from the new threshold increase.

VESTED RIGHTS WILL BE PROTECTED

The rights of those who gained professional client or qualified investor status by meeting the necessary conditions before December 19, 2025, will be protected and their statuses will be maintained.