Binance is set to stop processing transactions involving 11 cryptocurrency platforms, including HTX and EXMO, from August 23, 2026, following the European Union’s latest sanctions targeting crypto and financial service providers accused of undermining restrictions on Russia.
The move comes after the EU added 14 crypto-related service providers to its Russia sanctions framework as part of its 21st package of sanctions. While three of those entities became subject to the restrictions on August 13, the remaining 11 named crypto platforms are scheduled to face transaction bans from August 23.
Why Binance Is Blocking Transactions With the Platforms
The transaction restrictions stem from the EU’s decision to target non-EU financial institutions and crypto-asset service providers that it says significantly frustrate the objectives of its sanctions against Russia.
The EU’s official legal text lists the affected entities under its Russia sanctions framework and specifies August 23, 2026as the effective date for the 11 platforms.
For Binance, compliance with applicable sanctions means transactions involving the designated entities will no longer be processed where the restrictions apply.
The measure should not be interpreted as Binance shutting down its broader European operations or banning all transactions involving foreign cryptocurrency exchanges. It specifically concerns entities identified under the EU sanctions regime.
Which 11 Crypto Platforms Are Affected?
The 11 crypto-related entities scheduled to face the transaction prohibition on August 23 are:
- Rapira
- Aifory Pro (Sooty Ltd.)
- ABCeX (Nueva Cryptologia S.A.S. DE C.V.)
- WhiteBird
- NoOnecrypto INC.
- Tradex (Brightum LLC)
- Monease Ltd
- BitPapa
- Exnode and Exnode Pay (Arvix)
- HTX (HUOBI GLOBAL SA)
- EXMO Ltd
These names are explicitly included in the EU’s official sanctions documentation, with August 23 listed as their effective date.
HTX and EXMO Among the Most Recognizable Names
The inclusion of HTX is particularly significant because it is one of the world’s larger cryptocurrency exchanges.
The EU identifies the entity as HTX (HUOBI GLOBAL SA) in its sanctions documentation. HTX was originally established as Huobi and later adopted the HTX name. The exchange has also been associated with Tron founder Justin Sun.
EXMO Ltd, another established cryptocurrency platform, is also included in the same group.
The EU’s action means people and companies subject to EU jurisdiction will be prohibited from engaging in transactions with the designated entities once the restrictions become effective.
EU Targets 14 Crypto-Related Services in Total
Although Binance’s latest restriction involves 11 platforms taking effect on August 23, the EU’s broader sanctions package covers 14 crypto-related service providers.
The three other entities — A7 Nigeria, A7 Africa and PilotFinance Ltd — have an earlier effective date of August 13, 2026.
This distinction explains why reports referring to the August 23 action describe 11 platforms, even though the EU’s sanctions package identifies 14 crypto-related entities in total.
The EU’s official register separates the entities according to their respective effective dates.
EU Says the Measures Are Linked to Russia Sanctions Enforcement
The latest restrictions are part of the EU’s broader effort to prevent Russia from accessing alternative financial channels that could weaken Western sanctions.
The European Council said its 21st sanctions package expanded restrictions on financial institutions, crypto platforms and other entities considered relevant to sanctions evasion. The package also introduced a mechanism that could allow the EU to impose transaction restrictions on crypto service providers operating in countries that systematically and persistently fail to prevent sanctions circumvention.
The new framework is therefore broader than a simple list of individual exchanges.
The Ban Is a Transaction Restriction, Not a General Asset Freeze
An important distinction is that the EU measure is a transaction ban rather than an across-the-board asset freeze against all assets associated with the listed crypto platforms.
Under the measure, EU persons and companies are prohibited from directly or indirectly engaging in transactions with the designated entities. The Block reported that the restrictions against HTX do not constitute an asset freeze.
This distinction could be important for customers who have previously interacted with one of the affected platforms.
The precise treatment of existing customer assets and any permitted withdrawals can depend on the applicable sanctions rules, authorization procedures and the jurisdiction involved.
What the Binance Change Means for Users
For Binance customers, the immediate impact will primarily concern transfers involving the sanctioned platforms.
Users attempting to move funds between Binance and a designated platform may find that the transaction is rejected or otherwise prevented from being processed once the relevant restrictions take effect.
Customers who regularly transfer cryptocurrency between exchanges should therefore review their transaction arrangements before the deadline and ensure they understand the applicable restrictions in their jurisdiction.
Binance’s compliance systems already incorporate sanctions and transaction-monitoring controls as part of its broader regulatory framework.
HTX Has Previously Faced Regulatory Action
The EU’s action against HTX follows other regulatory scrutiny involving the exchange.
In May 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on HTX in connection with allegations involving financial support to Russia-linked networks. HTX disputed the allegations and has rejected claims of wrongdoing.
The EU’s July action represents a separate sanctions measure under the bloc’s Russia-related restrictions.
The developments highlight the growing regulatory pressure on global crypto platforms to monitor their exposure to sanctioned entities and prevent prohibited financial flows.
Why the Binance Move Matters for the Crypto Industry
Binance is one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges by trading activity, making its compliance decisions significant for the broader digital asset market.
When a major exchange blocks transactions involving a particular platform, it can make cross-exchange transfers more difficult and potentially affect liquidity between the two ecosystems.
The development also demonstrates how traditional sanctions policy is increasingly being applied to cryptocurrency infrastructure.
Crypto transactions can move across borders quickly, but centralized exchanges remain subject to the laws and sanctions regimes of the jurisdictions in which they operate.
EU Crypto Sanctions Are Becoming More Comprehensive
The latest package shows that European regulators are increasingly treating cryptocurrency platforms as part of the wider financial infrastructure relevant to sanctions enforcement.
The EU’s official regulation identifies the designated entities as non-EU institutions and service providers whose activities are considered to significantly frustrate the objectives of restrictions imposed over Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The bloc has also created a mechanism for potentially expanding restrictions to crypto service providers located in countries that repeatedly fail to prevent sanctions evasion. No country has been added under that broader mechanism so far, according to reporting on the measure.
What Happens After August 23?
From August 23, 2026, the transaction restrictions against the 11 listed platforms will take effect under the EU sanctions framework.
Binance and other regulated or compliance-focused cryptocurrency businesses operating in affected jurisdictions will need to ensure their transaction systems prevent prohibited dealings.
For crypto users, the development reinforces the importance of checking the regulatory status of counterparties before sending funds across exchanges.
Because sanctions rules can differ depending on a customer’s location, users should rely on official exchange notices and applicable legal guidance rather than assuming that a transaction permitted in one jurisdiction will also be permitted in another.
Conclusion
Binance will stop processing transactions involving 11 crypto platforms from August 23, 2026, including major names such as HTX and EXMO, as the latest EU Russia sanctions take effect.
The restrictions are part of the European Union’s 21st sanctions package and target crypto-related service providers that the bloc says undermine its efforts to enforce restrictions on Russia. The EU has designated 14 crypto-related entities in total, with 11 taking effect on August 23 and three others — A7 Nigeria, A7 Africa and PilotFinance — already subject to restrictions from August 13.
For Binance users, the change means transactions involving the designated platforms may no longer be processed where the EU sanctions apply. The development also highlights how cryptocurrency exchanges are increasingly required to integrate sanctions compliance directly into their transaction infrastructure.
As governments intensify scrutiny of crypto-based financial channels, exchanges are likely to face continued pressure to identify sanctioned counterparties and prevent transactions that could facilitate sanctions evasion.
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