Quick answer: Bitget added Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan to its Prohibited Countries in Terms of Use updated Oct. 16, 2026. Per user notices quoted by Interfax, affected users lose new trading on Oct. 18 and must close positions and withdraw by Oct. 21, 2026, at 07:00 UTC, when logins become restricted.
Crypto exchange Bitget is cutting off users in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Its Terms of Use, marked “Last updated: October 16, 2026,” now list all three countries among its Prohibited Countries. Affected users have only days to move their money.
The change matters because Bitget is a top-tier venue. It handled about 8,017 BTC (roughly $653 million) in 24-hour spot volume on Oct. 17, 2026, per CoinGecko data at 12:54 UTC. That makes this one of the largest exchange exits from the region this year.
What did Bitget announce?
On Oct. 17, 2026, at 05:17 UTC, Bitget posted a statement on its official X account. In it, the exchange said it had “made the decision to discontinue services for certain users.” It called the move “a one-off exercise for certain users only” and said “your funds remain safe.”
The post did not name the countries. However, the updated Terms of Use do. Residents of a Prohibited Country, and entities set up or operating there, may not use Bitget’s services. In addition, the terms bar attempts to get around the restriction.
Wu Blockchain and The Defiant first flagged the link between the terms update and the user notices.
When is the Bitget withdrawal deadline?
Bitget says each affected user gets a direct notice by email, in-app message or push notification. In addition, that notice sets out “relevant deadlines and withdrawal arrangements” for the account. As a result, dates can differ between accounts.
Russian news agency Interfax quoted the notices that users received. Specifically, they set two key times:
- Oct. 18, 2026, 10:00 Moscow time (07:00 UTC): new trades, orders and subscriptions become unavailable.
- Oct. 21, 2026, 10:00 Moscow time (07:00 UTC): remaining positions close automatically and account login is restricted.
So affected users should close positions and withdraw assets before Oct. 21. Waiting until the last hour is risky, because withdrawal queues and network fees can spike near a hard cutoff.
What should Bitget users in Russia, Belarus or Kazakhstan do now?
First, check your email and the app for an official notice. Bitget said that users who did not get one “can continue to use your account as usual.”
If you did get a notice, these steps help:
- Cancel open orders and close futures or margin positions yourself. Otherwise, the system closes them at whatever price is available on Oct. 21.
- Redeem earn and staking products early. Some products have lock-up or redemption delays.
- Withdraw to a wallet you control or to another exchange that serves your country. Our self-custody wallet setup guide covers the basics.
- Test with a small amount first, then send the rest. Double-check the network for each token.
Also, be careful with links. Bitget warned users to rely only on its official website, app, Support Center and verified social accounts. Scammers often copy exchange notices during forced exits, so read our guide on how to spot crypto scams.
Why is Bitget leaving Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan?
Bitget has not given a reason beyond calling the move a one-off. Therefore, any link to sanctions, licensing or local rules is still speculation.
Still, the timing fits a wider trend. Russia is building its own licensed crypto system, with banks such as Sberbank and VTB on the Bank of Russia’s first crypto registers. Under that law, Russian banks must start rejecting transfers to suspected unauthorized crypto operators from July 1, 2027. Elsewhere, regulators keep pushing offshore exchanges out, as South Korea did when it blocked KuCoin, MEXC and 25 other platforms on Oct. 13.
Market implications
For now, though, the direct market effect looks small. Bitget’s own token, BGB, traded at $1.90, down 2.2% in 24 hours, per CoinGecko at 12:54 UTC. Bitcoin was at $81,405, down 0.7%.
The bigger effect is on where regional traders go next. For example, some will likely move to local licensed providers. Others may try peer-to-peer markets or other offshore exchanges, which carry their own risks. Meanwhile, each exit like this narrows the list of large global venues open to users in sanctioned or tightly regulated markets.
Bitget Russia FAQ
Is Bitget banned in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan?
Yes. Bitget’s Terms of Use, updated Oct. 16, 2026, list Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan as Prohibited Countries. Residents and entities established or operating there may not use Bitget’s services.
What is the Bitget withdrawal deadline for affected users?
Notices quoted by Interfax say new trades stop on Oct. 18, 2026, at 07:00 UTC. Users must close positions and withdraw by Oct. 21, 2026, at 07:00 UTC, when logins are restricted. Bitget says each account’s notice has its own dates.
Are funds on Bitget safe after the change?
Bitget said on Oct. 17, 2026, that “your funds remain safe” and that its support team will help with withdrawals and pending orders. Users should still withdraw well before their deadline.
What happens to open Bitget positions after the deadline?
According to the notices quoted by Interfax, any positions still open on Oct. 21, 2026, at 07:00 UTC will be closed automatically at market prices.
Can I keep using Bitget if I did not get a notice?
Bitget said users who did not receive an official notification can keep using their accounts as usual, subject to the platform’s terms.
This article is for information only. It is not financial advice. Always DYOR (do your own research) before you trade or move funds.
