MEXC Discontinues Services in Russia and Belarus
The cryptocurrency exchange is winding down operations in these nations to align with global regulatory standards.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Investing
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MEXC has officially announced the discontinuation of its services for users located in Russia and Belarus. The exchange is coordinating an orderly exit, providing affected users with specific deadlines to close their positions and withdraw assets.
Why it matters
The decision reflects an ongoing effort to maintain compliance with international regulatory standards and evolving sanctions. This move follows a broader trend of crypto exchanges restricting access in specific jurisdictions to mitigate legal risks.
MEXC previously updated its user agreement in May 2025 to ban services across 13 distinct jurisdictions including the US, Canada, and the UK. These restrictions represent a significant expansion from the platform's earlier, more open operational model.
The players
MEXC
MEXC is a global digital asset trading platform that provides spot and futures trading services to users worldwide.
Bitget
Bitget is a centralized cryptocurrency exchange that offers derivatives trading and copy trading features to a global user base.
The details
Users will be notified of their required timelines to wind down activities through in-app messages and registered email addresses. The firm is mandating this structured exit process to ensure account holders can secure their funds without a sudden service freeze.
Timeline
May 2025: MEXC prohibited services in 13 jurisdictions.
May 2026: MEXC restricted futures positions in Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, and Belarus.
Mid-October 2026: Bitget implemented a service ban in Russia and Belarus.
October 20, 2026: MEXC announced service discontinuation for Russia and Belarus.
November 16, 2026: Full offboarding of Dutch users is scheduled to conclude.
Market Dynamics
The exchange is adjusting its operational footprint to comply with international financial sanctions regimes, which standardizes its risk profile across multiple markets. This trend of service withdrawal mirrors the broader consolidation of digital asset platforms responding to increased regulatory scrutiny.
Users in the affected regions must act promptly to close open positions and transfer holdings to alternative platforms before their specified deadlines. Failing to withdraw assets within the provided timeframe may complicate the recovery of funds from the exchange.
The takeaway
Crypto investors should regularly monitor platform service agreements to stay informed about potential regional access restrictions. Maintaining assets in self-custody wallets can provide greater protection against sudden service terminations on centralized exchanges.
Further reading
For more on the current climate for digital asset platforms, visit the Investing section.
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