Freedom Holding Corp’s Turkish arm, Freedom Yatırım Menkul Değerler A.Ş., has secured an operating license from the Capital Markets Board of Türkiye (CMB) on August 18, 2026, becoming the first foreign brokerage to obtain full authorization in the country since 1992. The approval signals a significant advance in the group’s strategy to deepen its brokerage presence and expand its capital‑market infrastructure across the region.
A Landmark Licensing Achievement
The license, granted by the CMB, represents a historic moment for Freedom Holding Corp. “This operating license marks a pivotal milestone for our company,” said Timur Turlov, founder and chief executive officer. “It signals our entry into the Turkish brokerage market as the first broadly authorised foreign firm in 34 years.”
Global Footprint and Financial Scale
Freedom Holding Corp. operates through more than 200 offices in over 20 countries spanning North America, Europe and Asia. According to its most recent SEC filing, the company’s total assets reached US$14 billion as of June 30, 2026, with brokerage activities contributing roughly 39 % of net revenue.
Expanding Access to International Markets
Freedom Yatırım plans to leverage its parent’s proprietary trading platform, TraderNet, to build a two‑way bridge between the Turkish market and global capital markets. The aim is to broaden the reach of Turkish investors to international opportunities gradually, using the group’s extensive brokerage capabilities. Integration with Borsa İstanbul has already been completed, enabling clients across the network—more than 870,000 accounts—to trade in Turkish securities. The infrastructure is expected to attract greater foreign participation in Turkey’s capital markets and strengthen ties with global exchanges.
Building a Digital Financial Ecosystem
In a recent move, Freedom Holding Corp. acquired a 99.32 % stake in Turkish Bank A.Ş. via its subsidiary Freedom Finansal Hizmetler A.Ş., prompting shareholders to change the bank’s name to Freedom Bank A.Ş. Together, Freedom Bank and Freedom Yatırım are positioned to form the backbone of a digital financial ecosystem in Turkey, integrating banking, investment and other digital services.
“Our ambition in Turkey extends beyond brokerage,” explained Turlov. “We intend to create an integrated digital ecosystem around Freedom Bank and Freedom Yatırım, bringing together banking, investment and other services, inspired by the Freedom SuperApp model in Kazakhstan and tailored to local needs.”
Local Leadership and Long‑Term Vision
Vladimir Pochekuev, partner at Freedom Holding Corp. and chairman of Freedom Yatırım’s board, emphasized the importance of blending global expertise with local insight. “Turkey is a long‑term market for us,” he said. “We aim to combine our technology, financial strength and international capital‑market know‑how with deep local knowledge to build a sustainable business here.” Pochekuev also thanked the CMB for its constructive and professional engagement during the licensing process.
Preparing for Operations
With the license in hand, Freedom Yatırım is poised to launch its services, drawing on the group’s international brokerage experience and the newly acquired banking platform to deliver a comprehensive digital financial offering in Turkey.
Operational Readiness and Service Launch
After securing its operating licence, Freedom Yatırım has moved into the final phase of preparing for a full‑scale entry into Turkey’s capital markets. The firm is now engaged in extensive system‑wide testing and is polishing its operational procedures to ensure a smooth market debut.
The brokerage plans to roll out an investment platform that blends cutting‑edge technology with a user‑centric design, meeting both the regulatory framework of the Turkish market and the specific expectations of local investors.
“Turkey boasts a sizable and increasingly sophisticated pool of investors who are keen to broaden their portfolios across different markets and asset classes. Our strategy will centre on marrying global market access with deep local knowledge and delivering a high level of client service,” explained Vusal Mamedov, senior adviser to Freedom Yatırım’s board.
About Freedom Yatırım Menkul Değerler A.Ş.
Freedom Yatırım Menkul Değerler A.Ş. functions as a subsidiary of Freedom Finansal Hizmetler A.Ş., which itself is wholly owned by Freedom Holding Corp. The Capital Markets Board of Turkey (CMB) granted approval for the company’s formation in 2025, and after satisfying all regulatory conditions, the firm received its brokerage licence in 2026. Leveraging the group’s international know‑how and a nuanced understanding of Turkey’s financial landscape, Freedom Yatırım aims to provide investors with forward‑looking investment products and services.
About Freedom Holding Corp.
Freedom Holding Corp. operates a diversified financial services network across 24 jurisdictions, including Kazakhstan, the United States, several European Union members, Uzbekistan and Armenia. Its global headquarters are situated in New York City. In Kazakhstan, the group is actively building a comprehensive financial and digital ecosystem that encompasses Freedom Bank, Freedom Broker, the insurance arms Freedom Life and Freedom Insurance, as well as lifestyle platforms such as Arbuz.kz, Freedom Ticketon and Aviata.
The company’s shares are listed on the NASDAQ, the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) and the Astana International Exchange (AIX) under the ticker FRHC. Freedom Holding Corp. is supervised by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and is a constituent of the Russell 3000 Index.
With system validation underway and a clear service blueprint in place, Freedom Yatırım is positioned to introduce a technologically advanced, client‑focused brokerage offering to Turkish investors, marking another step in the group’s broader expansion strategy.
