Bitget Restricts HTX, EXMO & Other Entities Amid Sanctions Crackdown
Highlights
- Bitget is applying enhanced compliance controls on 16 entities, including HTX and EXMO, in three waves across August 7, 13, and 23.
- The move mirrors Binance and traces back to US OFAC sanctions and the EU's 21st Russia sanctions package.
- HTX contests the actions, with Justin Sun saying restrictions apply only to UK and EU users as settlement talks continue.
Bitget has announced enhanced compliance controls on transactions linked to 16 designated entities, including HTX and EXMO, citing overlapping US and EU regulatory actions.
The exchange joins Binance in applying staggered restrictions on the same platforms, signaling a coordinated industry-wide response to enhanced compliance control demands from Western regulators.
Bitget Sets Three-Wave Restriction Timeline
In an official announcement published August 15, Bitget confirmed that enhanced compliance controls will roll out in three phases across different entity groups.
The first wave, effective August 7, targets Aban Tether Exchange and Shelbit (Shelbit General Trading LLC).
A second wave on August 13 covers A7 Africa, A7 Nigeria, and PilotFinance Ltd.
The largest group, effective August 23, includes ABCeX, Aifory Pro, BitPapa, EXMO Ltd, Exnode and Exnode Pay, HTX (Huobi Global SA), Monease Ltd, NoOnecrypto INC., Rapira, Tradex, and WhiteBird.
Bitget said any direct or indirect transactions involving these entities may face enhanced compliance controls, rejection, account restriction during review, or account termination for terms-of-use breaches.
Users are urged to verify that transaction sources, originating addresses, and intermediary providers carry no links to the named entities.
This mirrors the timeline Binance confirmed a day earlier.
As CoinGape reported, Binance also moved to restrict transactions involving HTX, EXMO and nine other platforms.
The aim is to apply the same staggered August 7, 13, and 23 dates across an overlapping list of entities.
The parallel timing and near-identical entity lists suggest both exchanges are responding to the same regulatory directives.
Regulatory Background: OFAC, the EU Russia Package, and the HTX Dispute
The first two restriction waves trace back to US OFAC sanctions imposed on August 7.
Authorities accused Shelbit and Aban Tether of processing crypto tied to Iran-linked sanctions evasion, including transfers connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The August 23 wave is driven by the EU’s 21st Russia sanctions package, adopted in July 2026.
The package named HTX under its legal entity Huobi Global SA, EXMO, and related platforms.
CoinGape previously covered how the EU targeted HTX and other crypto exchanges under the Russia sanctions framework, citing suspected facilitation of Russia-linked financial flows.
HTX has contested the scope of both the UK and EU actions. Justin Sun stated on X that the Binance restrictions apply only to UK and EU users and that HTX does not conduct business in those regions.
I have been in communication with Binance. This matter concerns only Binance’s UK and EU users. HTX does not conduct business in the UK or EU, and settlement negotiations with UK and EU regulators are already in progress. Any users affected in the course of these negotiations are…
— H.E. Justin Sun 👨🚀 🌞 (@justinsuntron) August 14, 2026
The exchange earlier argued that UK sanctions targeted Huobi Global SA as a distinct legal entity and did not affect the online platform or user funds.
HTX is aware of the recent developments regarding the UK sanctions designations. The HTX exchange is committed to full compliance with all applicable laws and to cooperation with law-enforcement agencies worldwide.
The UK’s designation arrived today without prior notice or any…
— HTX (@HTX_Global) May 26, 2026
The UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation took a broader position, ruling that the designation also covers the HTX exchange because Huobi Global owns the platform.
HTX said it remains in settlement talks with UK and EU regulators.
For investors, parallel restrictions from two of the largest CEXs raise friction for liquidity routing or arbitrage touching the named entities.
Exchanges with stronger compliance infrastructure are positioned to absorb displaced trading flow.
Monitor for further CEX alignments, on-chain volume shifts away from restricted platforms, and any update from HTX on user and trading activity.
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