Payment methods are feverish in Turkey: what's going on with Havale and why the market is under pressure.

The instability of payment methods has increased markedly in Turkey: channels are shutting down, limits are jumping, and local bank transfers are particularly affected Havale.

Method locks.
С Nov. 24 through Nov. 28. a commission is coming to Turkey FATF - an international anti-money laundering organization. The country has recently come off the gray list, and now its job is to show that the financial system is under control. (fountain)
To prevent a return to the list, the Central Bank of Turkey (CBT) is acting aggressively: in October-November there were suspended or revoked licenses from a number of payment companies (Papara, IQ Money, Vepara, Fzypay) including those who catered to the “gray” niches. (fountain)

Limit jumps: PSPs are slashing amounts to stay out of harm's way.
Another problem is the abrupt change of limits within the payment methods themselves. This is already a defensive reaction of providers before FATF inspections: they limit amounts, cut the allowable range of transactions and may temporarily reduce throughput. The Central Bank's measures are directly related to the tightening of AML controls. (fountain)
For brands, this means: yesterday the method accepted 10,000 TRY, today it accepted 2,000 TRY, tomorrow it is unavailable. And so on in a circle.

The Havale is under attack.
Havale method is one of the key A2A bank transfers in Turkey, which is actively used in e-commerce and especially in the high-risk verticals like betting and gambling. According to industry reports, wire transfers and A2A channels occupy the most 14-16% online payments in Turkey, making them a significant part of the local payment infrastructure. That's why, amid the strengthening of AML controls and the country's preparations for the FATF visit, any methods with reduced transparency - including Havale - are the first to fall under restrictions: providers are slashing limits, tightening checks and temporarily shutting down the channel at the slightest risk.
And this has a direct impact on the gray iGaming market: operators are faced with disruptions in cash registers and the constant instability of payment methods. (fountain)

Why is Turkey so nervous?
Because going back to FATF gray list means:

• A decline in the confidence of international banks,
• complication of correspondent settlements,
• rising transaction costs,
• decreased investment.

This is a blow to the entire economy, so the regulator is acting as tough as possible.

What for operators and PSPs to do right now:

1. Prepare backup methods.
   You can't rely on Havale or EFT as the main channels. At least 2-3 alternatives.
2. Only work with licensed providers.
   Check providers' statuses against Turkish sources (CB). Companies under investigation - risk zone.
3. Introduce technical monitoring every 10-30 minutes.
   Tracking:
   • of disabling methods,
   • changes to the limits,
   • spikes in failures.
4. Negotiate risks with clients.
   It's better to explain upfront that instability is a consequence of the regulatory sweep, not the brand's own problems.

Conclusion.
The Turkish payments market is experiencing turbulence: blocked methods, jumping limits and pressure on Havale - a direct consequence of preparations for the FATF visit and Turkey's attempt to stay off the “gray list”. For iGaming operators this means the need to work flexibly, keep backup channels and constantly monitor the situation.