Bitget, Bybit, OKX , and three other exchanges were blocked by Belarus from December 10th after authorities discovered illegal advertising practices.
Belarus has implemented a ban on access to six global cryptocurrency exchanges, marking an escalation in the Eastern European nation's efforts to control digital asset activity. The decision, effective December 10th, targets major platforms including Bitget, Bybit, OKX, BingX, Weex, and Gate.com, and was issued by the Ministry of Information based on allegations of inappropriate advertising under the Mass Media Law.
The Enterprise Unit of the Republic for Telecommunications Supervision has confirmed this restrictive measure, which was introduced following an announcement from the Minsk City Administration Committee regarding the detection of infringing advertising content on relevant internet resources. The Ministry of Information is acting in accordance with Article 51-1 of the Law on Mass Communications, while users attempting to access these websites will receive a standard notification that access is restricted by decision of the competent authority.
Measures to control Capital outflows.
This abrupt freeze comes just months after President Aleksandr Lukashenko publicly expressed his displeasure overBelarusian citizens using cryptocurrency exchanges to transfer Capital abroad. Lukashenko instructed officials to adjust the regulatory framework to ensure only platforms deemed legitimate could operate in Belarus, reflecting deeper concerns about Capital controls and financial sovereignty.
The Ministry of Information stated that specific details regarding the nature of the advertising violations would only be provided directly to the owners of the affected platforms. To restore access, the exchanges must comply with a strict process under Article 51-2 of the Mass Media Act, including submitting an application after rectifying the alleged violations along with any other relevant legal violations.
Although some users report still being able to access these platforms via virtual private networks, this method carries serious risks. Bypassing geographic restrictions can violate the exchange's terms of service and lead to account suspension, as these platforms often have systems that detect logins from restricted regions or masked IP addresses.
