KuCoin exits Russia and Belarus: what account holders should do

What happened. KuCoin says that, in line with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, it will discontinue services for users in Russia and Belarus effective immediately. This covers access to all KuCoin products, services and features.

How the wind-down works. The exchange promises an orderly process that lets affected users close positions and withdraw their assets. Affected accounts get a notification with deadlines and instructions. If you have not received one, KuCoin says no action is required, though your account stays subject to its Terms of Use and restrictions.

What changed in the terms. KuCoin's Terms of Use, last updated on 29 October, list Russia and Belarus as Restricted Locations. The list also includes the US, Singapore, mainland China and Hong Kong, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, France, the Netherlands, Ontario and British Columbia, and Crimea and the occupied parts of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

Not the first. In October Bitget (added Russia and Belarus to its prohibited list on 16 October), MEXC (20 October) and HTX (Russia is on its prohibited list) have already pulled back from Russia. KuCoin is the fourth major exchange this month.

What we do not know. How many days KuCoin gives to withdraw: deadlines come in personal notices, not publicly. How it decides a user's country: documents, address or IP. What happens to assets not withdrawn in time. This is an overview, not trading advice.

Confirmed facts

• On 29 October KuCoin announced it is discontinuing services for users in Russia and Belarus with immediate effect.^[1]
• The change covers access to all KuCoin products, services and features.^[1]
• KuCoin promises an orderly termination so users can close positions and withdraw; deadlines and instructions come in a notification.^[1]
• If you have not received a notification, KuCoin says no action is required.^[1]
• KuCoin's Terms of Use, updated 29 October, list Russia and Belarus as Restricted Locations along with the US, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and others.^[2]
• On 20 October MEXC announced it is ending services for users in Russia and Belarus.^[3]
• According to The Moscow Times, Bitget clients in Russia and Belarus cannot open new trades since 18 October.^[4]
• HTX's user agreement lists Russia among jurisdictions whose residents are barred from all services.^[5]

Implications

• ConfirmedKuCoin users in Russia and Belarus need to close positions and withdraw within the deadlines in their notice.
• Our readingThe list of major exchanges available from Russia keeps shrinking; others may follow.

Still unknown

• How many days users get to withdraw.
• How the exchange decides a user's country.
• What happens to assets not withdrawn in time.

Who it affects

Russia, Belarus. KuCoin users in Russia and Belarus and anyone choosing a crypto exchange

Sources

1. KuCoin: Important Notice: Discontinuation of Services in Russia and Belarus October 29, 2026 · official
2. KuCoin: KuCoin Terms of Use (last updated 29 Oct 2026) October 29, 2026 · official
3. MEXC: Service update for users in Russia or Belarus October 20, 2026 · official
4. The Moscow Times: Crypto exchanges Bitget, MEXC end services for customers in Russia and Belarus October 20, 2026 · media
5. HTX: HTX User Agreement October 23, 2026 · official