Binance will stop processing transactions tied to HTX, EXMO Ltd. and nine other crypto platforms starting August 23, expanding a sanctions-driven list to 16 exchanges. The new curbs follow EU and UK sanctions on HTX and US Treasury action against two other platforms already cut off this month.
Binance will no longer process transactions from 16 exchanges, including five cryptocurrency platforms it had already restricted, the exchange said in an announcement. Binance cited compliance with regulatory requirements in the jurisdictions where it operates.
New curbs start August 23
Starting August 23, Binance will restrict transactions with Rapira, Aifory Pro, ABCeX, WhiteBird, NoOnecrypto, Tradex, Monease, BitPapa, Exnode/Exnode Pay, HTX (Huobi Global SA) and EXMO Ltd. Users who send or receive funds through Binance involving these entities after the cutoff date will face a compliance review that Binance said may lead to wallet restrictions.
Binance said the restrictions are required to meet regulatory obligations in the jurisdictions where it operates. According to Binance: "necessary to meet those requirements and to help maintain a safe and secure environment" for users and their assets.
Five platforms already cut off
Binance had already restricted Shelbit and Aban Tether Exchange starting August 7, then added A7 Nigeria, A7 Africa and PilotFinance Ltd. to the list on August 13. Nearly every newly blocked firm, aside from Shelbit and Aban, also appears on the EU's updated sanctions list targeting entities the bloc accuses of frustrating restrictions tied to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
HTX faces overlapping sanctions
The EU sanctioned HTX in July for allegedly helping Russia circumvent those restrictions, in part through links to A7 Limited Liability Company, a Russia-linked payments firm seemingly connected to A7 Nigeria and A7 Africa. The UK had separately sanctioned Huobi Global S.A. in May over alleged Russia ties and unlawful financial promotions. TRM Labs said HTX had been rotating hot wallets and funding addresses in a way that could make sanctions screening harder. HTX rejected the claim, describing the transfers as routine security procedures used across the industry.
Iran-linked accusations preceded the curbs
Shelbit and Aban Tether Exchange were sanctioned by the US Treasury Department over alleged Iran-linked money laundering. Wallets tied to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps allegedly sent more than $1 million to Shelbit addresses, which in turn allegedly moved over $2 million to IRGC-controlled wallets. Aban Tether was separately accused of processing funds tied to sanctioned Iranian exchanges Nobitex, Wallex, Bitpin and Ramzinex.
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