The Russian Prosecutor’s Workplace has declared the actions of European Bitcoin (BTC) alternate WhiteBIT and its W Group group on Russian territory “undesirable.” The choice bans all types of cooperation, transactions and promotions associated to the platform within the nation, marking a brand new chapter within the advanced internet of digital finance and geopolitical sanctions.
Russian authorities They justify this measure with a sequence of accusations. They declare the alternate facilitates “schemes to illegally withdraw funds from the nation,” a declare that echoes Moscow’s considerations about capital flight. Furthermore, and extra forcefully, the Prosecutor’s Workplace accuses WhiteBIT of “supporting the Ukrainian army” because the begin of “particular army operations” in February 2022.
Based on an official assertion from the Legal professional Common’s Workplace, WhiteBIT was scheduled to switch roughly $11 million in 2022. It’s said that of this quantity, $900,000 was particularly allotted to the acquisition of drone techniques for the Ukrainian army.
The platform can be notable for offering technical help to United24, an initiative launched by the President of Ukraine in Might 2022 in cooperation with the Ministry of International Affairs to gather donations in Bitcoin and different digital property.
The assertion goes additional by mentioning WhiteBIT’s participation in a charity public sale that enabled the acquisition of drones supposed for members of the Azov group, which is banned in Russia.
This designation as “undesirable” The listing of international organizations Russia considers a risk grows to nationwide safety. Previous instances reminiscent of Amnesty Worldwide in 2025 reveal the scope and seriousness of those measures.
Russia’s resolution highlights rising geopolitical tensions and the position of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies within the Russia-Ukraine battle. WhiteBIT is likely one of the most related exchanges on the continent, primarily based in Europe, with origins in Ukraine, and has been working for over 6 years.
WhiteBIT’s view on Bitcoin
WhiteBIT responded to the Russian Prosecutor Common’s Workplace’s resolution with a press release saying that the transfer clearly confirms its constant pro-Ukrainian place. Nonetheless, the alternate has refused to function in Russia because the large-scale invasion started in February 2022.
In response to a request for remark from CriptoNoticias, the staff behind the alternate It added that it had blocked all customers from Russia and Belarus. And the buying and selling pair with the Russian ruble was abolished. This resolution resulted within the lack of roughly 30% of its person base on the time.
The corporate acknowledged that it has maintained a pro-Ukrainian stance since signing a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of International Affairs in 2022. Below the settlement, WhiteBIT offered consular help providers within the international locations the place it has places of work and supported the ministry’s disaster heart and 24/7 helpline for Ukrainian nationals overseas.
WhiteBit has confirmed that it’s facilitating crypto donations to main charities and humanitarian organizations in Ukraine. In complete, WhiteBIT and Whitepay Collected over $160 million in crypto donations For humanitarian and protection functions.
The assertion particulars that WhiteBIT has donated roughly $11 million straight from its personal funds to help humanitarian efforts for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and civilians in the course of the 4 years of large battle.
For that reason, founder Volodymyr Nosov has been acknowledged nationally for his contributions, together with awards from the Presidential Initiative UNITED24, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, safety providers and army intelligence businesses.
Regardless of Russian sanctions and the preliminary impression on its operations, WhiteBIT says it has elevated its measurement and worldwide presence greater than eightfold since 2022. For all these causes, the designation as an undesirable group is Closes the opportunity of returning to the Russian market and strengthen geopolitical polarization within the digital asset ecosystem.
Whereas the Russian authorities views WhiteBIT as a risk to its safety and capital management, Ukrainian exchanges have reaffirmed their dedication to Ukraine and the values it considers non-negotiable. This case illustrates how crypto platforms can develop into involuntarily or deliberately concerned in conflicts within the context of protracted wars and intersecting sanctions.
