Your withdrawal request has remained “under review” for days, or you can access your account but cannot transfer assets. Standard support responses may provide little explanation. The first step is to distinguish a technical delay from a regulatory or compliance review and from a restriction imposed by a competent authority.
In brief: A pending withdrawal does not necessarily mean that a platform is unlawfully withholding your assets. However, an indefinite process supported only by vague responses should not be treated as self-explanatory. The stage of the transaction, the scope of the restriction and any information or documents still required should be clarified in writing.
What stage has the withdrawal actually reached?
A platform request number is not the same as an on-chain transaction hash. A withdrawal that has not yet been broadcast to the network, a transaction awaiting blockchain confirmations and a transfer sent through the wrong network are different situations. A Turkish-lira withdrawal to a bank and a crypto transfer to another wallet also involve different operational processes.
If a transaction hash has been issued, check the network, destination address and status. A platform screen marked “completed” does not by itself prove that assets reached the intended recipient, while a blockchain confirmation delay caused by network congestion is not the same as an account restriction.
Why may additional review be required?
Possible reasons include incomplete customer information, a source-of-funds review, transfer-information requirements, account-security concerns or an official measure that the platform must implement. Rules applicable to crypto-asset service providers can change, so an old waiting period found online should not be assumed to apply to every transaction.
Ask which information or document is outstanding, when it was requested and whether the restriction affects only one transaction or the entire account. Suspicious transaction reporting rules can prevent disclosure of certain details, but this does not prevent you from keeping a complete record of your own applications.
Preparing an application file
- Account-holder details and the platform user or UID number.
- Date, amount, asset and destination of the withdrawal request.
- The platform request number and any on-chain transaction hash.
- Complete error messages and support correspondence.
- Deposit records and documents showing acquisition of the assets.
- Documents submitted to the platform and the dates on which they were provided.
Repeated support messages can obscure what has changed. A concise chronology referring to the original ticket number is usually more useful than opening multiple disconnected tickets. Passwords, private keys and recovery phrases should never form part of this file.
Why the platform’s legal status matters
Identify the legal entity actually providing the service. The brand name, the company named in the user agreement and the entity receiving fiat payments may differ. Current SPK lists and announcements should be read according to their stated legal effect; appearing on a list should not be treated as a guarantee covering every aspect of the service.
Where the contractual counterparty is abroad, governing-law and dispute-resolution clauses, practical enforcement and the location of the relevant service provider may need separate consideration. A Turkish-language website does not necessarily mean that every dispute will be handled in Türkiye.
Potential legal routes
Depending on the facts, contractual remedies, restitution of assets or a claim for loss may be considered. A criminal complaint is a separate matter and should be based on facts that genuinely support suspicion of an offence; not every operational delay amounts to fraud.
If a judicial measure exists, continuing to write to customer support alone may not resolve the issue. The application to the competent file and the demand directed to the service provider serve different purposes.
Frequently asked questions
Will paying more money unlock the withdrawal?
Verify any claimed fee through official documentation. A demand to send “tax”, “security”, “collateral” or “unlock” money to a personal account or wallet is a serious warning sign.
Can I claim market losses caused by the delay?
That depends on the legal basis of the claim, the platform’s responsibility and the causal connection between the delay and the alleged loss. Market movement does not automatically result in compensation.
Should I close the account?
Preserve the records first and determine how closure may affect pending requests. Losing access to transaction history can make later proof more difficult.
DISCUSS YOUR CASE
Discuss a blocked crypto withdrawal
We can review your withdrawal request, the platform’s responses and any account restrictions to assess your options under Turkish law.
A brief summary and important dates are enough for an initial enquiry. Send documents only when requested by our lawyers, through the channel they specify. Do not share passwords, one-time codes or wallet keys.
Sources and legislation
Capital Markets Board (SPK): Crypto-asset service providers
MASAK: Current legislation and crypto-asset regulations
Code of Criminal Procedure No. 5271
Originally prepared on 8 September 2026. This article provides general information on Turkish law. Remedies and deadlines should be assessed against the documents and circumstances of each case. The image is illustrative.
Related reading
My Crypto Assets Were Stolen
I Sent Money to a Fake Crypto Investment Platform
Related practice area: Crypto Assets & Blockchain Law.