The IEEE Blockchain Turkey National Summit was organized by the IEEE Blockchain Turkey Working Group under the auspices of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority.
The summit, attended by Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan and Information and Communication Technologies Authority President Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu, was joined by numerous figures from the public and private sectors.
Speaking at the opening of the summit, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan stated that blockchain technology first entered people's lives with cryptocurrency in 2008 and is the new way to conduct transactions transparently.
Sayan said, “Blockchain technology, which restores the privacy principle that we are now struggling to hold onto among information technologies, is a subject that our Ministry is focusing on with the utmost sensitivity. Because studies on this technology have the potential to prevent large companies and authorities from holding our people's right to privacy and intimacy.”
Drawing attention to the fact that failure to properly protect data poses a serious threat not only to individuals but also to states and large companies, Sayan stated, “The global average cost of a data breach can reach up to 4.88 million dollars. These figures clearly show that alongside the opportunities brought by the digital world, there is a serious security vulnerability. This is exactly where blockchain technology comes into play. It is one of the most notable innovations in recent years in the search for solutions to data security problems.”
Noting that Bitcoin's total market value is approaching 2 trillion dollars and the total value of cryptocurrencies is around 3.3 trillion dollars, Sayan said, "According to research, the global blockchain size in the healthcare services market is estimated to reach 77.59 billion dollars by 2031. Blockchain solutions are expected to generate revenue exceeding 94 billion dollars by the end of 2027. Additionally, it is projected that this structure will manage 10% to 20% of the global economic infrastructure by 2030 and provide approximately 3.1 trillion dollars in business value in this process."
Emphasizing that the connection between cryptocurrency and domestic and national production is of great importance not only financially but also technologically and strategically, Sayan concluded his speech by saying, “Our priority has always been domestic and national production. Having a cryptocurrency unit that is entirely our own is one of our biggest goals. By developing a domestic cryptocurrency, we will support Turkey's digital transformation goals and contribute to the creation of an independent economic infrastructure. Additionally, by strengthening national technologies and increasing Turkey's global competitiveness in the digital economy, we will contribute to our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ‘Turkey Century’ vision.”
President Karagözoğlu: Blockchain is Among Today's Most Critical Technological Solutions
BTK President Ömer Abdullah Karagözoğlu also stated in his speech that blockchain technology is accepted as one of the cornerstones of the future digital economy, undergoing significant transformation on a global scale.
Karagözoğlu said, "This technology, which paves the way for fundamental changes in many sectors such as finance, healthcare, logistics, security, and energy, ranks among today's most critical solutions with its advantages like transparency, security, and efficiency."
Stating that collaboration between the public and private sectors is vital to expand the scope of blockchain-based projects in Turkey, Karagözoğlu said, “Regarding blockchain-based digital currencies, whose popularity is rapidly increasing worldwide, the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey is implementing the Digital Turkish Lira Project. Another public initiative related to blockchain is the Blockchain Research Laboratory launched by TÜBİTAK. Looking at the civil society aspect, various studies are being conducted to support the widespread adoption of blockchain technology in our country and to increase sectoral collaborations.”
Karagözoğlu concluded his speech by saying, “As BTK, we continue our efforts to develop the technical infrastructure in this field and to encourage innovative ideas. We are working hand in hand with our universities, sector stakeholders, and civil society organizations to promote the widespread adoption and development of this technology in our country. Additionally, by making the most efficient use of the opportunities offered by blockchain technology, we aim to position Turkey more strongly in global competition.”