Belarus Bars Citizens From Using Foreign Crypto Exchanges

TLDR:

• Belarus blocks Bitget, ByBit, OKX and others after regulators cite inappropriate advertising on their websites.
• Users report access failures and warnings that VPN logins may risk account freezes on restricted exchanges.
• Officials confirm actions align with Article 511 of the Law on Mass Media, expanding oversight of crypto activity.
• A new centralized wallet registry tracks addresses linked to suspected criminal fundraising in ongoing cases.

Belarus bars citizens from using foreign crypto exchanges after state authorities moved to block several major global trading platforms on December 10. 

Local users reported that Bitget, ByBit, and OKX stopped opening through national internet providers. These platforms were added to the official stop list managed by BelGIE f ollowing a decision by the Ministry of Information.

Beltelecom users attempting to access ByBit were met with a notice reading: “Access to the information resource is restricted on the basis of the decision of the authorized body of the Republic of Belarus.” Others stated that platforms loaded only through VPN tools.

Exchanges warn that masked IP activity from restricted jurisdictions may result in account freezes, raising concerns among users who rely on these platforms.

Authorities Explain Website Blocks and Cite Advertising Violations

Belarus bars citizens from using foreign crypto exchanges after the Ministry of Information later clarified the reason behind the sudden restrictions. 

The ministry stated that “inappropriate advertising was revealed” on okx.com, bitget.com, bingx.com, bybit.com, weex.com, and gate.com. The decision was made under Article 511 of the Law on Mass Media, giving regulators authority to block access.

This update arrived as crypto communities were debating the motive behind the blocks. Before the announcement, traders questioned whether the restrictions were tied to a broader tightening of digital asset oversight. 

The immediate disappearance of multiple platforms fueled discussions in online groups, where users shared their access issues and screenshots of the restriction notice.

Reports also circulated referencing coverage from The Moscow Times, which noted that ByBit and OKX were founded by executives from China but operate globally. 

Traders said this background did not shield the platforms from Belarusian regulatory action, especially after the ministry’s statement on advertising concerns.

New Wallet Registry Adds Further Control to Crypto Activity

Belarus bars citizens from using foreign crypto exchanges as the country strengthens its monitoring tools. 

Last month, the Belarusian branch of Sputnik reported that the government launched a centralized registry of crypto wallets suspected of involvement in criminal fundraising. According to State Control Committee chairman Vasily Gerasimov, “the registry is designed to track wallets used to move funds raised by criminal groups.”

This development pointed to a coordinated regulatory shift rather than isolated decisions. The introduction of the registry supports investigations linked to financial crimes and increases the state’s ability to monitor on-chain activity.

Crypto users reacted on social platforms, sharing concerns about long-term access to global markets under the new environment. 

Tweets circulating in trading communities referenced the blocks and expressed uncertainty about whether platforms would remain accessible. The series of actions reflects a tightening framework that now limits the ability of Belarusian citizens to engage freely with foreign crypto services.

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