On July 1, Turkey's cryptocurrency exchange Paribu integrated the leading prediction market platform, Polymarket, becoming the first in the country to offer its users trading on event outcome contracts.
Transactions took place in the DeFi section of the app using the exchange's balance through a non-custodial wallet. However, Paribu excluded markets related to sports, esports, and Turkish politics in compliance with local online gambling laws, according to industry media.
The launch sparked a wave of criticism from major Turkish media outlets amid a government campaign against illegal gambling and the blocking of Polymarket in several jurisdictions. Just a day later, Paribu unexpectedly closed access to the new section without providing a reason, calling the halt temporary. The exchange has not specified when access might be restored.