Bitget bans users in Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, giving traders until October 21 to withdraw

Bitget is shutting out users in Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus, giving existing customers until October 21 to close positions and withdraw their funds, Kommersant reported.

The exchange added the three countries to its prohibited jurisdictions in a user agreement update dated October 16, with new trades, orders and subscriptions blocked from October 18.

Bitget’s crypto trading restrictions take effect October 18

The updated agreement establishes a short transition period for users in Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. Although the changes were introduced on October 16, the restrictions on new transactions are scheduled to begin on October 18.

From that date, affected customers will no longer be permitted to initiate new trades, place orders or subscribe to services covered by the revised terms. The restrictions could affect users who actively manage cryptocurrency portfolios, execute short-term trading strategies or use the platform to access digital asset markets.

The October 21 deadline gives existing customers three calendar days after the restrictions begin to close their positions and withdraw their assets.

The distinction between stopping new transactions and restricting account access is significant. Users may initially retain a limited opportunity to settle existing positions and transfer their holdings, but that window will close once the withdrawal deadline passes.

Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus users face account restrictions

The restrictions cover residents of three countries across the Eurasian region: Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

The decision is particularly relevant to traders who use a single exchange to manage multiple cryptocurrencies, maintain trading positions or access services linked to their accounts.

However, the reported announcement does not establish that cryptocurrency trading is prohibited generally in any of the three countries. It concerns access to Bitget’s platform and should not be interpreted as a blanket ban on digital asset activity across Russia, Kazakhstan or Belarus.

Nor does the available report establish whether the restrictions apply to every service offered by Bitget in precisely the same way. Customers should check the revised user agreement to determine which products and account functions are affected.

The exchange’s decision could also prompt affected users to review alternative platforms, although any replacement service would have its own eligibility requirements, withdrawal rules and compliance procedures.

What Bitget’s crypto trading decision means for customers

The revised policy places the burden on affected users to act within a narrow timeframe. Customers who want to exit their positions must do so before the October 21 deadline, while those holding assets on the platform need to review the applicable withdrawal procedures.

The announcement does not include official statements from Bitget executives explaining the rationale for the decision. It also provides no figures on the number of affected customers, the volume of assets held by residents in the three countries or the potential financial impact of the restrictions.

Without those details, it remains unclear how extensively the change will affect Bitget’s user base in Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus.

The restrictions nevertheless demonstrate how exchange-level access policies can directly affect cryptocurrency users, independently of whether a country has imposed a general prohibition on digital assets.

Users in the affected jurisdictions should review Bitget’s official communication, identify any outstanding transactions and confirm the steps required to withdraw eligible assets before access is restricted.

The key dates are October 18, when the reported restrictions on new activity begin, and October 21, when the deadline for closing existing positions and withdrawing assets expires.

Bitget has not, according to the supplied report, disclosed whether the restrictions will be temporary or permanent. Further clarification from the exchange would be needed to establish the policy’s long-term implications for customers in the three countries.