Turkey uses the Turkish lira, a currency that has experienced significant inflation and depreciation against major currencies in recent years. This context has shaped how residents and visitors think about holding and spending money in Turkey.
Published September 15, 2026 · 2 min read
The Turkish lira has seen significant value depreciation against currencies like the US dollar in recent years, a widely reported economic trend. This inflation has affected purchasing power for residents and made exchange rates a more active concern for anyone holding lira. Because of this, some people in Turkey have looked for ways to hold savings in more stable assets.
Some residents and businesses in Turkey have shown interest in holding savings in US-dollar-pegged stablecoins as a way to preserve purchasing power during periods of lira volatility. Stablecoins offer a digital, dollar-pegged alternative that can be held outside the traditional banking system. This does not replace the lira for everyday spending, but it provides one option for those concerned about currency depreciation.
Card payment is widely accepted in Turkish cities, particularly in tourist and urban areas. Standard card terminals work with international Visa and Mastercard, and many businesses are set up to accept foreign cards. This makes cards a practical option for both residents and visitors who want to avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
Nexus Pay is a crypto wallet with a Visa card, funded across six networks and offering in-app coin swaps. When you use the card in Turkey, your stablecoin balance converts to Turkish lira at the point of payment or ATM withdrawal, at the rate applicable at that moment. This gives you a way to spend from your crypto holdings directly, without needing to move funds through an exchange first.
If you hold stablecoins and want to spend in Turkey, you have a few paths:
Each method has different steps and fee structures, so the right choice depends on how you manage your funds and where you are spending.
Opening…