Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget has rolled out new restrictions affecting users in Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, a that could compel certain customers to close their trading and withdraw their digital assets by October 21, 2026.

The company revised its terms of use on October 16 to add the three countries to its list of prohibited jurisdictions. Bitget was quick to clarify, however, that the account closures target selected users rather than every customer on its platform.

New Trading Restrictions Take Effect

Under the revised terms, affected customers face limits on trading activity and account access. According to reports, some users were blocked from opening new positions, placing orders, or subscribing to additional products beginning October 18.

Those customers are required to close outstanding positions and withdraw their cryptocurrency holdings before 10:00 a.m. Moscow time on October 21. Accounts that still carry open positions once the deadline passes could be closed automatically, and affected users may lose access to their accounts as the restrictions take hold.

October 21 is not, however, a universal cutoff for everyone affected. Bitget said it will deliver individualized instructions through email, in-app messages, and push notifications.

Bitget Confirms Limited Scope of Closures

In an announcement issued October 17, Bitget characterized the decision as a one-time measure affecting certain customers and stressed that its trading platform will continue operating normally for eligible users.

The exchange also moved to reassure customers that their funds remain safe, adding that its support team will assist affected account holders with withdrawals, outstanding orders, and other account-related concerns.

The updated prohibited-jurisdiction list also covers several other markets, including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Singapore—though many of those restrictions predate the October changes. The exchange has not disclosed how many customers will lose access, nor has it identified a specific regulatory order behind the latest move.

Compliance Pressure Mounts on Crypto Platforms

The decision underscores the growing weight of geographic eligibility rules across centralized cryptocurrency exchanges, as platforms increasingly enforce country-specific restrictions while managing regulatory and compliance obligations. Maintaining a prohibited-jurisdiction list is a standard mechanism for exchanges serving a global user base, and the breadth of Bitget's list—already spanning major markets such as the United States, Japan, and Singapore—reflects the differing regulatory requirements platforms face across the markets in which they operate.

For affected Bitget customers, the immediate priority is to review official account notifications and complete required withdrawals within their individual deadlines. Users who have not received termination notices can continue accessing the exchange, provided they meet its eligibility requirements.

Bitget has not said whether the restrictions might eventually extend to additional customers. For now, the October 21 deadline remains especially important for users who have received direct closure instructions, and email, in-app messages, and push notifications remain the channels Bitget has said it will use to communicate individualized instructions.

Source: CryptoMeter io — Bitget Restricts Russia and Belarus Users, Sets October 21 Crypto Withdrawal Deadline