HTX has added Russia to its list of restricted jurisdictions, becoming the latest international cryptocurrency exchange to limit services for users in the country. The move follows separate decisions by Bitget and MEXC to discontinue services in Russia and Belarus during October 2026, further reducing access to international trading platforms for customers across the region.

HTX Updates User Agreement to Restrict Russia

According to Russian business media outlet RBC, HTX has included Russia in its restricted-jurisdiction list under its user agreement. The policy covers individuals residing in Russia, as well as companies registered in or primarily operating from the country. Under the agreement, HTX holds the authority to restrict services, suspend withdrawals, or close affected accounts.

The exchange has not publicly specified when the Russia restrictions took effect or whether affected accounts have already been suspended. The contract also grants HTX the right to alter the list of restricted jurisdictions in response to changing legal requirements and its offered services, without individually notifying each user. It is up to customers to check the relevant terms and confirm their own eligibility.

暗号資産取引所HTX、ロシアをサービス提供制限地域に追加 ロシア経済メディアRBCによると、暗号資産取引所HTXは利用規約を改定し、ロシアをサービス提供制限地域に追加した。対象はロシア在住者や滞在者、同国で登記・事業運営する企業で、… #bitbank_breaking — ビットバンクプラス・マーケット情報 (@bitbank_markets) October 24, 2026

Russia now sits alongside a number of other jurisdictions currently restricted by HTX, including the United States, the United Kingdom, EU member states, Singapore, Hong Kong, Iran, and Syria. Some locations face additional restrictions concerning derivatives. These limitations stem from the exchange's geographic access policy, although the contract itself does not state the exact grounds for adding Russia to the list. Restricted-jurisdiction lists of this kind are a common compliance mechanism across the international exchange industry, typically maintained to manage sanctions exposure and licensing obligations that vary by market.

A distinction remains important between trading restrictions and withdrawal suspensions: the former limits the use of exchange products, while the latter affects the right to withdraw funds from an account. Although the contract permits HTX to take such actions, there is no information indicating that the restrictions have been applied to all Russian accounts.

Bitget and MEXC Discontinue Russian Services

HTX's action resembles steps taken by Bitget, which named Russia and Belarus — along with Kazakhstan — as prohibited jurisdictions. The Bitget restrictions covered access to trading and products beginning October 18, and users whose accounts were limited were advised to withdraw their assets by October 26, according to the company's terms of use.

▪️ Bitget blocks users from Russia and Belarus Both countries have been added to its list of restricted jurisdictions. Users must withdraw their funds by October 19. pic.twitter.com/ovlGwgBWi2 — NFT NEWS (@NFTNews_EU) October 18, 2026

On October 20, MEXC announced that it would stop serving clients from Russia and Belarus. Its official announcement indicated that all affected users would be notified individually about the deadlines by which they must close their positions and withdraw their cryptocurrency.

The exchanges' decisions differ in scope and in deadlines, depending on where an account is held. Users should therefore review each platform's official notices to understand which procedures apply to them. The situation highlights how important it is to know an exchange's withdrawal rules before relying on any international trading service.

Sanctions and Compliance Concerns Frame the Move

The restrictions arrive amid broader scrutiny of cryptocurrency services associated with Russia. In July 2026, HTX was listed among services subjected to EU sanctions measures concerning Russia, based on accusations that the platform had enabled Russian users to bypass sanctions. According to media reports, those measures also prohibited EU companies from carrying out transactions on the exchange.

While the accusations are relevant context for HTX's decision to update its terms of service agreement, they alone cannot establish the underlying reasons for Russia's inclusion on the restricted-jurisdiction list. HTX has not provided any official information linking the sanctions measures to the terms update.

According to Nikita Zuborev, senior analyst at cryptocurrency service comparison website BestChange, the threat of secondary sanctions and the rising cost of compliance have been making Russian users increasingly undesirable for foreign exchanges.

Russia Reshapes Its Own Crypto Rules

Russia has also amended its domestic digital-asset regulations governing the licensing of cryptocurrency trading platforms, under new legislation that took effect on September 1. The Central Bank of Russia has licensed Sberbank to conduct cryptocurrency exchange operations under the local digital-asset framework. Together, these changes point to a shifting landscape for cryptocurrency services operating in Russia.

For Russian clients, the immediate question is whether they still have access to their accounts, trading services, and withdrawals. Companies doing business in Russia face additional uncertainty, since HTX's restrictions apply not only to individual users but also to companies registered in or primarily operating from the country.

Attention now turns to whether HTX will clarify the implementation date, the handling of existing accounts, and the applicable withdrawal rules. Customers are advised to monitor exchange communications and review their account terms ahead of any deadlines. Current reports do not indicate that additional international exchanges plan to restrict Russian clients.