Binance Blocks HTX and EXMO. Sixteen Platforms Cut Off Amid Sanctions Push Binance has announced it will block transactions with 11 cryptocurrency platforms starting 23 August, including HTX and EXMO, as part of broader efforts to comply with global sanctions. The move follows earlier actions by the exchange, which had already restricted access to five smaller platforms—Shelbit, Aban Tether Exchange, A7 Nigeria, A7 Africa, and PilotFinance—earlier in August. Binance attributed the decision to "recent regulatory developments" but did not specify which actions triggered the changes. The affected platforms total 16, aligning with the 14 crypto-related entities listed in the EU’s 21st Russia sanctions package, adopted in July, plus Shelbit and Aban Tether, which were added separately by the U.S. Treasury on 7 August. Other exchanges had already begun limiting exposure to HTX before Binance’s announcement. According to Finance Magnates, transfers linked to HTX were being rejected by Bybit and Telegram Wallet prior to the news. HTX, formerly known as Huobi, has contested its designation under UK sanctions, arguing that the designation applies only to a separate legal entity rather than the exchange itself. The UK’s sanctions authority, however, stated that HTX is covered through common ownership with the entity named in the designation. HTX’s daily spot trading volume has dropped sharply, from over $5 billion in late 2025 to $572.8 million as of 14 August, according to CoinGecko. EXMO, on the other hand, has taken a more definitive stance, announcing it will wind down operations entirely rather than contesting the designation. This contrasts with HTX’s approach, highlighting the varying responses from platforms facing sanctions. Binance’s own compliance record remains under scrutiny. In November 2023, the exchange paid approximately $4.#us_treasury #eu #binance #htx #exmo
