Türkiye refutes rumor over Morgan Stanley’s withdrawal from Istanbul Stock Exchange

Türkiye’s Communications Directorate’s Disinformation Combat Center (DMM) has issued a statement follows claims that Morgan Stanley withdrew from the Istanbul Stock Exchange (BIST) on Wednesday.

According to the statement, some media outlets have shared news articles with this claim, which the DMM labeled as manipulative. The statement from DMM includes the following points:

“Certain news outlets claiming that ‘world-renowned bank Morgan Stanley has withdrawn from Borsa Istanbul (BIST) contain manipulative content. Morgan Stanley had previously applied to waive its existing operational licenses. This application was approved by the Capital Markets Board (CMB), leading to the cancellation of the company’s ‘Limited Authorization Brokerage Firm’ license. Additionally, Morgan Stanley was removed from the Borsa Istanbul membership following the decision made by the Borsa Istanbul Board of Directors on March 12, 2025. Morgan Stanley has not been actively facilitating trades at Borsa Istanbul for many years. The claim that Morgan Stanley’s waiver application on March 12 was a result of current developments in our country does not reflect the truth.”

Morgan Stanley’s decision regarding Istanbul Stock Exchange

Morgan Stanley Menkul Degerler A.S. (Morgan Stanley Securities Inc.) voluntarily withdrew from its membership from the Istanbul Stock Exchange. The decision was approved by the Borsa Istanbul Board of Directors and was officially communicated to the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) on March 19, 2025.

Morgan Stanley Menkul Degerler A.S. was a brokerage firm in the Turkish capital markets yet had remained inactive for many years.