How to exchange Russian rubles for Turkish lira in Northern Cyprus

As is well known, the official currency in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is the Turkish lira (TRY). Below, we’ll go over how, as of early 2026, Russian rubles can be exchanged for lira in Northern Cyprus: via cash, online services, and cryptocurrency.

• Exchanging rubles for lira offline
• Exchanging rubles for lira online
• Exchanging rubles via USDT (cryptocurrency)
• Frequently asked questions

Exchanging rubles for lira offline

The liveliest and most flexible market for exchanging rubles to lira in the TRNC right now is private exchange operations.

In the Telegram group «Currency Exchange», many advertisements are posted for buying rubles and other currencies and exchanging them for lira (as well as euros and dollars). Typically, the offers include:

• in-person meetings and “hand-to-hand” transactions;
• exchanging rubles for lira at rates close to the market rate, accounting for fees;
• official exchange offices marked by chat admins as verified. You can access the list from the «Currency Exchange» group or via the direct link.

Important: do not send prepayments to unknown people without guarantees. It is safer to use:

• in-person meetings;
• recommendations from acquaintances or verified chat administrators;
• exchanges at officially operating exchange offices.

Classic exchange offices in the TRNC usually work with TRY / EUR / USD / GBP and do not accept cash rubles directly. Therefore, private exchangers are most commonly used for rubles.

It is still not possible to receive cash rubles or lira within the TRNC via the “Zolotaya Korona” system. One workaround is to take a ferry to Anamur (Turkey), collect the transfer there, and then return to the TRNC with cash.

Exchanging rubles for lira online

Online schemes are convenient because they allow transferring rubles to lira without cash in Russia.

• Transfer via “Zolotaya Korona” to a bank account (IBAN).
  You send rubles from Russia and receive lira on a Turkish bank card. The list of supported banks, limits, and fees change periodically, so it is necessary to check current conditions in the app or on the service’s website before making a transfer. You can read more about which Russian cards are accepted by “Zolotaya Korona” in our article.
• Exchange via verified online exchangers.
  In the same Telegram group «Currency Exchange», cashless exchanges are sometimes offered: you send cashless rubles (e.g., from a Russian bank card) and receive lira on a Turkish or Northern Cypriot bank card in return.

More complex routes are also possible:

• exchange rubles for another currency (e.g., tenge, lari, or som) to a bank card in Kazakhstan, Georgia, or Kyrgyzstan;
• withdraw foreign currency at an ATM in Turkey or the TRNC with conversion to lira.

Drawbacks of these schemes: several consecutive conversions, fees, and the risk of exchange rate changes between transactions.

In all cases, general safety rules apply: do not transfer large amounts to strangers and check the reputation of exchangers.

Exchanging rubles via USDT (cryptocurrency)

Cryptocurrency remains one of the most flexible tools for transferring funds between countries, including Northern Cyprus.

The basic scenario looks like this:

• you create a crypto wallet and buy the stablecoin USDT with rubles (on an exchange or via P2P platforms);
• then you contact one of the verified crypto exchangers in Northern Cyprus;
• transfer USDT to the specified address;
• receive lira in cash at the exchanger's office or to a local bank account you specify.

Crypto exchanger offices are available in all major cities of the TRNC — Nicosia, Kyrenia, Famagusta, Iskele, Guzelyurt, and Lefke. Many operations can be carried out directly in the office in front of you.

Advantages:

• relatively fast transfer of funds;
• ability to choose the rate and commission through different exchangers and P2P services;
• no need to “expose” a Russian card in foreign systems.

Disadvantages: market volatility, risk of errors during transfers, and the need to understand basic crypto hygiene (seed phrases, two-factor authentication, etc.).

Frequently Asked Questions about Money in the TRNC

Do Mir cards work in Northern Cyprus?

No. Payment system Mir cards are not accepted in Northern Cyprus — neither at terminals nor ATMs. Even if a point or ATM technically attempts to service them, it cannot be relied upon as a stable payment method.

Do UnionPay cards work in Northern Cyprus?

The situation with UnionPay cards is constantly changing. Previously, many travelers noted that UnionPay cards from some non-sanctioned Russian banks worked at ATMs and terminals operated through Turkish acquirers. Currently, according to reviews:

• some UnionPay ATMs and terminals do not accept them at all;
• the same card may work in one ATM and not in another;
• conditions for Russian issuers are gradually tightening.

Practical conclusion: UnionPay should be considered only as an additional tool, not the primary one. Before traveling, check with your bank whether foreign transactions are available and be prepared for refusals.

Can I receive a transfer via Western Union?

Receiving a transfer via Western Union in Cyprus is generally possible, but several points should be considered:

• the system officially operates internationally, but the set of specific banks and agent locations changes periodically;
• in some cases, they issue not lira but foreign currency (EUR or USD), which then needs to be exchanged locally;
• before sending a transfer, check available pickup points and receiving currency on the official Western Union website or app.

A detailed guide is in our article: how to correctly send a Western Union transfer to Northern Cyprus.

What is the safest way to exchange rubles for lira?

The most predictable options are using verified crypto exchangers for USDT exchange or sending money to Russian bank cards. However, note that Russia has Federal Law No. 115-FZ “On countering the legalization (laundering) of proceeds from crime and financing of terrorism,” so the safest option is still cryptocurrency.

There is currently no completely “risk-free” method: sanctions, banking restrictions, and rule changes occur quite often, so always check the current conditions before a specific operation.

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