Belarus Blocks Bybit, OKX, Bitget Over Regulatory Violations

Belarus has unexpectedly blocked access to several major cryptocurrency exchanges, including Bybit, OKX, and Bitget. This contradicts the government's previous pro-crypto stance.

The block was enforced on December 10 by the Ministry of Information and BelGIE.
Users in Belarus receive a notice citing the Mass Media Act when attempting to access these sites.
The government claims "inappropriate advertising" but has not specified violations. Details are left for the platforms to disclose.

Reasons for Blocking

The action follows a notification from the Minsk City Executive Committee and is based on Article 51 of the Mass Media Law.
Websites can be blocked for media violations or content deemed risky to national interests.
Exchanges OKX and Bitget have not made public statements about the blockage.
None of the blocked exchanges have High-Tech Park (HTP) status, which is required for legal crypto transactions in Belarus.

Despite these actions, Binance and KuCoin remain accessible, leading to questions about selective enforcement.

Many users resort to VPNs to bypass restrictions, although this may violate platform rules.

Impact and Considerations

The restrictions highlight regulatory risks for firms with ties to Belarus.
Institutions may reassess relationships due to the volatile policy environment.