Turkish authorities have detained four people as part of an investigation into Vebitcoin, a cryptocurrency exchange platform, Reuters reported, citing a statement from a local prosecutor on Saturday.
- The action comes a day after state-run media announced bank accounts associated with the exchange had been frozen and a probe had begun following an announcement on Vebitcoin's website that says the exchange had stopped all of its activities due to financial strains. The most recent tweet on the exchange's Twitter feed said payments were delayed because of the strains.
- Vebitcoin is now the second crypto platform in a week to face troubles after authorities detained 62 people with suspected ties to the Thodex platform, which went offline on April 18 and its CEO has gone missing amid claims of missing funds.
- It's not been a kind month for crypto in Turkey. Thodex went offline two days after the central bank announced a ban on the use of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment, effective April 30.
- The ban is being enacted at a time when crypto use was soaring as the Turkish lira has faced significant outside selling pressure.
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