Hassan Maishera
TL;DR
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Russia’s prosecutor general has banned WhiteBIT due to the exchange’s financial and technical support for Ukraine-linked initiatives.
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WhiteBIT has donated over $11 million to support the Ukrainian army and civilian population.
WhiteBIT Crypto Exchange Banned in Russia
Russia has declared the WhiteBIT cryptocurrency exchange undesirable, banning the platform from operating in the country over support for Ukraine's military.
In a statement by the Prosecutor General’s Office, WhiteBIT provided financial and technical support to Ukraine-linked initiatives, including fundraising programs tied to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russia’s law dictates that entities designated as "undesirable organizations" must cease operations in the country. Individuals or entities that cooperate with the organizations risk fines and criminal charges carrying prison terms.
According to the authorities, WhiteBIT's management transferred roughly $11 million in 2022 toward Ukrainian defense-related causes, including funds earmarked for drone procurement. The Prosecutor General also accused WhiteBIT of enabling "gray" schemes to move funds out of Russia.
This aligns with figures published on WhiteBIT's own website, with WhiteBIT publicly disclosing its charitable contributions tied to Ukraine-related initiatives since the start of the war.
Based in Lithuania, WhiteBIT crypto exchange openly acknowledged its support for Ukraine. The company previously revealed that it provided technical infrastructure for United24, a crypto-enabled fundraising platform launched at the initiative of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for humanitarian and defense purposes.
This isn’t the first time crypto entities have faced bans in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. In July 2025, the Ukrainian government imposed sanctions targeting Russian financial and crypto schemes, blacklisting 60 legal entities and 73 Russian nationals linked to sanctions evasion and military financing.
WhiteBIT has been expanding its services globally. The cryptocurrency exchange entered the U.S. market in December after expanding operations in Australia, Argentina, and Brazil, among other markets, last year.
