The EU’s sanctions packages 20 and 21 tighten the crypto landscape by extending restrictions on Russia and Belarus-linked transactions and providers, expanding the operating environment for global exchanges.

Package 21, adopted in late July 2026, bans 14 crypto-asset service providers from certain transactions and extends restrictions on Russian nationals on crypto-asset company boards, while introducing a tool to block dealings with third-country providers aiding Moscow.

Regulators have also sanctioned HTX for helping Russians evade measures, signaling a broader crackdown on crypto activity tied to Russia.

MEXC’s withdrawal from the Netherlands mirrors a wider EU-coordinated retreat, underscoring regulatory pressure as a primary driver.

The article notes translations and AI-assisted translation, with a brief mention of The Moscow Times’ stance and reader-support appeal.

Industry expert Nikita Zuborev cites higher compliance costs and sanctions risk, making Russian customers less attractive to international exchanges.

Belarus faces a similar risk due to EU alignment with Russia, rendering Minsk’s continued service untenable for compliant exchanges.

MEXC will stop serving users in Russia and Belarus and will notify affected customers with deadlines to close positions and withdraw assets.

Bitget and MEXC are pulling back from Russia and Belarus to align with international regulatory requirements.

Bitget specifically added Russia and Belarus to its prohibited jurisdictions, demanding asset withdrawals by a specified Moscow-time deadline, after which positions may be forcibly closed and accounts restricted.

The moves suggest a broader exodus of international crypto exchanges from the Russian market amid rising regulatory pressure and potential secondary sanctions.

EU pressure targets preventing Russian residents from aiding evasion schemes, affecting exchanges with European ambitions.