Why Is Binance Cutting Off Transactions With 16 Firms?
Binance will stop processing transactions involving 16 cryptocurrency exchanges and service providers as sanctions enforcement tightens around platforms accused of facilitating payments linked to Russia and Iran.
Five of the firms have already been cut off. Restrictions on Shelbit and Aban Tether Exchange took effect on August 7, while Binance stopped processing transactions involving A7 Nigeria, A7 Africa and PilotFinance Ltd. on August 13.
Another 11 entities will be blocked beginning August 23: Rapira, Aifory Pro, ABCeX, WhiteBird, NoOnecrypto, Tradex, Monease, BitPapa, Exnode/Exnode Pay, HTX, formerly Huobi, and EXMO Ltd.
Most are relatively small platforms, but HTX is a major global centralized exchange. Its inclusion makes the decision more consequential for users who regularly transfer crypto between large trading venues.
“Binance is required to adhere to the regulatory requirements in the jurisdictions in which it operates,” the exchange said. “These measures are necessary to meet those requirements and to help maintain a safe and secure environment for our users and their assets.”
Binance warned customers not to send or receive funds through the exchange when those transactions involve any of the named entities after their respective cutoff dates. Transfers detected after the restrictions begin will be subject to compliance review and could result in wallet restrictions.
How Do EU Sanctions Affect The Binance Restrictions?
The decision closely follows sanctions imposed by the European Union against many of the same companies. EU authorities added HTX and several other crypto firms to sanctions measures connected to Russia in July, with transaction restrictions scheduled to begin August 23.
The EU accused the named companies of helping frustrate restrictions imposed over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. HTX was accused of providing financial services connected to A7 Limited Liability Company, a Russia-linked cross-border payments business that appears connected to A7 Nigeria and A7 Africa.
Nearly every company on Binance’s restricted list was also included in the EU sanctions measures, with Shelbit and Aban Tether Exchange among the main exceptions.
Those two exchanges were separately sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department over allegations involving Iran-linked money laundering and sanctions evasion. Binance’s restrictions therefore bring together companies targeted under several different sanctions regimes rather than one single enforcement action.
The UK also sanctioned HTX earlier this year over alleged support for Russia and unlawful financial promotions. Blockchain investigators have separately alleged that the exchange rotated hot wallets and funding addresses after the UK restrictions were introduced.
Investor Takeaway
Binance’s restrictions show how sanctions can isolate a crypto platform even without shutting it down directly. Once major exchanges refuse transfers involving a sanctioned venue, access to liquidity, counterparties and international users can become progressively more difficult.
What Does The HTX Ban Mean For Crypto Liquidity?
HTX is the most notable company affected because of its size and international customer base. The exchange rebranded from Huobi after TRON founder Justin Sun acquired a major stake through an investment vehicle in 2022.
Cutting transaction links between Binance and HTX does not prevent HTX from operating, but it can make moving assets between the two platforms more difficult. Users who previously transferred crypto directly may need to use alternative exchanges, wallets or settlement routes after August 23.
That creates additional compliance risk for users as well. Funds that move indirectly through sanctioned entities can still attract scrutiny if transaction-monitoring systems identify exposure further along the transfer chain.
For exchanges, the issue extends beyond whether they directly serve sanctioned customers. Regulators increasingly expect platforms to monitor counterparties, wallet histories and flows involving other service providers. A transfer originating from an otherwise verified customer can therefore face restrictions if another exchange in the transaction path is prohibited.
Could More Crypto Exchanges Face Similar Restrictions?
Binance’s action shows how quickly sanctions imposed by governments can affect relationships between private crypto platforms. Exchanges operating across multiple jurisdictions have to account for EU, UK, U.S. and other sanctions frameworks when determining which counterparties they can continue to support.
This raises the cost of compliance for global platforms because restrictions have to be incorporated into wallet screening, deposit monitoring and withdrawal controls. It also increases the risk that smaller exchanges lose access to larger counterparties if regulators question their ownership, customer base or payment relationships.
The August 23 deadline will be particularly important because that is when Binance’s restrictions expand to HTX and ten other entities. Users with exposure to those platforms may need to restructure transfer routes before then, while affected exchanges face a harder task maintaining access to global crypto liquidity.
For the wider market, the case shows that sanctions enforcement is increasingly being carried out through connectivity between platforms. An exchange does not have to disappear for its business to be impaired; losing transaction access to major counterparties can itself reduce liquidity and raise operating friction.