KuCoin exits Russia and Belarus amid tightening EU crypto sanctions

KuCoin has stopped serving customers in Russia and Belarus, becoming the third major crypto exchange to restrict services in the region within two weeks. The decision, effective immediately, covers all products. Customers will receive individual deadlines to close positions and withdraw funds. The exchange cited applicable legal and regulatory requirements without naming a specific new rule. This move follows the EU's 21st Russia sanctions package adopted on July 23, which targeted 170 entities and 48 individuals, and KuCoin's prior blocking of transactions linked to A7 entities, Rapira and HTX. Semrush estimates Russia generated 1.03 million visits to KuCoin's website in September, accounting for 3.93% of global visits, suggesting roughly 1.77 million Russian registrations based on KuCoin's total user base of over 45 million.