Saltık 
The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) has published an evaluation report on the initial phase of its ambitious Central Bank Digital Turkish Lira Project. This significant endeavor seeks to introduce a central bank digital currency (CBDC) distinguished by its innovative features, including self-sovereign identity and offline transaction capabilities.
Originally published in Turkish last year, the report has now been made available in English as of February 19th. The primary focus of the initial phase was the development of key components such as the digital identity system, currency infrastructure, and wallet functionality. Notably, a modular design approach was adopted, enabling seamless component replacement within the system for enhanced flexibility.
Collaborating with various partners, including the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye, Aselsan, and Havelsan, the project aims to facilitate intermediated retail transactions while also exploring solutions for wholesale payments through separate channels. Emphasizing programmable payments over programmable money, the project prioritizes the creation of contract templates and robust privacy safeguards, including self-sovereign identity mechanisms.
Phase II of the project will delve deeper into smart and offline payment solutions, addressing both legal and economic considerations. This next phase also aims to explore protocols for enabling offline transactions and integrating digital transactions into mobile applications operated by intermediaries.
In addition to its CBDC efforts, Turkey is actively working on establishing a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. This initiative reflects the country’s commitment to addressing regulatory concerns, with the ultimate goal of bolstering its position in the global financial landscape.”