If you live in Turkey and want to buy Bitcoin or Ethereum with Turkish Lira, you’ve probably heard of Paribu. It’s one of the most talked-about crypto platforms in the country. But is it actually good? Or are you just paying more for less?
What Is Paribu, Really?
Paribu is a cryptocurrency exchange built for Turkey. Launched in 2017, it was one of the first local platforms to let people trade crypto directly with Turkish Lira (TRY). Unlike Binance or Coinbase, you can’t deposit USD, EUR, or GBP here. You need TRY. And you need to be a Turkish resident with a valid ID and proof of address. It doesn’t try to be everything. No futures. No margin trading. No API access. No leverage. That’s by design. Paribu wants to be simple - the kind of platform your mom or dad can use without reading a manual. It’s like a local grocery store: not the biggest selection, but everything you need is there, and it’s easy to find.How Much Does It Cost to Trade on Paribu?
Fees are where Paribu starts to feel heavy. If you’re just buying a little Bitcoin every month, you might not notice. But if you trade often, the numbers add up fast. Standard taker fees (buying at market price) are 0.35%. Maker fees (placing limit orders that add liquidity) are 0.25%. Compare that to Binance, which charges as low as 0.1% for takers and even less if you use BNB. Paribu’s fees are among the highest in the region. You can lower fees by trading more. Paribu uses a 10-tier system. The more you trade in a month, the lower your fees go - down to 0.06% for takers and 0.01% for makers. But hitting those tiers means trading tens of thousands of TRY every month. For most casual users, that’s not realistic. Deposits? Free. You can send TRY from any of the 9 partner banks instantly. Even non-partner banks can use FAST transfers, which clear within minutes. Withdrawals? Also free for TRY. For crypto, withdrawal fees are reasonable. Bitcoin withdrawals cost 0.0005 BTC - cheaper than many global exchanges.What Coins Can You Trade?
Paribu supports between 150 and 190 cryptocurrencies, depending on the day. That’s a lot for a local exchange. You’ll find Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, Dogecoin, and even niche tokens like fan tokens from Turkish football clubs. But here’s the catch: only about 22 of those have direct TRY trading pairs. That means if you want to buy something like Polkadot, you first have to buy Bitcoin or Ethereum with TRY, then swap it for Polkadot. Two trades. Two sets of fees. That’s not ideal. Global exchanges like Binance let you buy 1,000+ coins directly with USD or EUR. Paribu’s selection is solid for Turkey, but it’s not built for serious portfolio diversification.
Security: Is Your Money Safe?
Paribu uses two-factor authentication (2FA) and transaction codes. That’s basic, but necessary. It doesn’t offer hardware security keys like YubiKey, nor does it publicly guarantee cold storage insurance - something exchanges like Coinbase do. There’s no public proof of reserves. You can’t verify that Paribu actually holds the Bitcoin it claims to. That’s a red flag for some users, but not uncommon among local exchanges in emerging markets. The platform has never been hacked. That’s good. But it’s also not audited by third parties. In Turkey’s evolving crypto landscape, that’s a risk you accept when you choose a local platform over a global one.App and Interface: Built for Beginners
The Paribu app is where it shines. Clean. Fast. No clutter. The mobile app (iOS and Android) mirrors the website perfectly. You can buy, sell, check prices, and set price alerts with one tap. It uses TradingView for charts - a big plus. You get candlestick charts, indicators, drawing tools. It’s not as powerful as a professional trader’s setup, but it’s more than enough for someone checking if Bitcoin is going up or down before hitting buy. The website is just as simple. No confusing tabs. No hidden menus. You see your balance, your open orders, and a big green “Buy” button. It’s designed for people who don’t want to spend hours learning how to trade.Customer Support: Available, But Not Always Responsive
Paribu advertises 24/7 support. And technically, that’s true. You can call +90 850 303 60 00 anytime. You can also submit tickets or message them on Twitter. But users report long wait times. Some say they waited 12+ hours for a ticket reply during busy market days. No live chat. No chatbot. If you need help fast, you’re stuck waiting. The support team speaks Turkish. If you don’t speak Turkish, you’re out of luck. There’s no English option. That’s fine if you’re local. It’s a dealbreaker if you’re not.
Who Is Paribu For? And Who Should Avoid It?
Use Paribu if: - You’re in Turkey and want to buy crypto with TRY - You’re new to crypto and want something simple - You don’t need advanced tools like stop-loss orders or grid bots - You trust local platforms over global ones - You’re okay paying higher fees for convenience Avoid Paribu if: - You want to trade with USD, EUR, or other foreign currencies - You’re an active trader looking for low fees and high liquidity - You need API access for automated trading - You want futures, leverage, or staking rewards - You don’t speak Turkish Most Turkish users start with Paribu. Then, once they get comfortable, they move part of their portfolio to Binance or KuCoin for better fees and more coins. That’s not a flaw - it’s a common path.How Does It Compare to BtcTurk?
Paribu’s biggest local rival is BtcTurk. Both are Turkish, both accept TRY, both are regulated. But BtcTurk supports over 100 cryptocurrencies with direct TRY pairs - more than Paribu. It also has a slightly more advanced interface and offers staking. Paribu wins on app design and customer service responsiveness (in Turkish). BtcTurk wins on coin selection and staking features. If you’re choosing between them, pick Paribu if you care more about ease of use. Pick BtcTurk if you want more coins and passive income options.The Bottom Line: A Solid Starter Exchange - But Not a Final Destination
Paribu isn’t perfect. The fees are high. The tools are basic. The language barrier is real. But it’s not trying to be perfect. It’s trying to be the easiest way for a Turkish person to buy their first Bitcoin. And for that? It works. If you’re just starting out in crypto and live in Turkey, Paribu is one of the safest, simplest places to begin. The app is reliable. The deposits are fast. The verification process is straightforward - just your ID and a utility bill. But if you’re serious about trading, you’ll eventually outgrow it. That’s okay. Most people do. Paribu isn’t meant to be your lifelong exchange. It’s your on-ramp. Use it to get comfortable. Learn the basics. Then, when you’re ready, move your larger holdings to a global exchange with lower fees and more options. In Turkey’s crypto scene, Paribu plays a real role. It’s not flashy. It’s not cheap. But for millions of Turkish users, it’s the first step into the world of digital money.Can I use Paribu if I’m not in Turkey?
No. Paribu only accepts Turkish Lira deposits and withdrawals. You must have a Turkish ID and proof of residence to open an account. Even if you’re a Turkish citizen living abroad, you likely won’t be able to verify unless you can provide a Turkish address. International users are blocked at the sign-up stage.
Does Paribu offer staking or earn interest on crypto?
No, Paribu does not currently offer staking, yield farming, or interest-bearing accounts. You can only buy, sell, and hold crypto. If you want to earn passive income from your holdings, you’ll need to use another platform like Binance or KuCoin.
Is Paribu regulated by the Turkish government?
Yes. Paribu is registered with the Capital Markets Board of Turkey (SPK) and complies with local anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) rules. This makes it one of the few crypto exchanges in Turkey with official regulatory approval - a big advantage over unregulated platforms.
Can I trade crypto with credit cards on Paribu?
No. Paribu does not accept credit or debit cards. You can only deposit Turkish Lira via bank transfer - either from one of its nine partner banks (instant) or through FAST transfers from other Turkish banks (usually under 15 minutes). This limits convenience but reduces fraud risk.
How long does account verification take on Paribu?
Most users report verification takes 24 to 48 hours. You need to upload a photo of your Turkish ID and a recent utility bill or bank statement showing your address. Once submitted, the system checks your details against government databases. If everything matches, you’re approved. Delays usually happen during holidays or high traffic periods.
Does Paribu have a desktop app for Windows or Mac?
No. Paribu only offers a mobile app for iOS and Android, and a responsive website for desktop browsers. There’s no native Windows or Mac application. Most users manage their accounts through the mobile app or browser, and both work reliably.
Are there hidden fees on Paribu?
Paribu is transparent about its fees. There are no hidden charges for deposits or TRY withdrawals. The only fees are the trading fees (maker/taker) and crypto withdrawal fees, which are listed clearly on their website. Be aware that when you swap one crypto for another (like BTC to ETH), you pay two trading fees - one for each trade.
Can I use Paribu to trade altcoins like Solana or Shiba Inu?
Yes. Paribu supports over 150 cryptocurrencies, including Solana, Shiba Inu, Polygon, and many others. However, you can only buy them directly with TRY if they’re listed as a TRY trading pair. For most altcoins, you’ll need to first buy Bitcoin or Ethereum with TRY, then swap it. This adds extra cost and complexity.
