Russian authorities wish to banish WhiteBIT, a preferred cryptocurrency alternate within the area, over its involvement in efforts to fund Ukraine’s protection within the face of ongoing Russian aggression.
Prosecutors in Moscow accuse the EU-registered buying and selling platform of actively supporting the Ukrainian aspect for the reason that begin of the full-scale Russian invasion practically 4 years in the past, and blame it for facilitating capital flight from Russia.
Russian prosecutors goal cryptocurrency alternate WhiteBIT
Russia’s Prosecutor Normal’s Workplace has declared the actions of WhiteBIT and its community of associates and subsidiaries within the fintech W Group, “undesirable” within the Russian Federation, with out elaborating on the results.
An announcement issued Friday alleged:
“This European crypto buying and selling platform is utilized by cryptocurrency exchanges and exchangers to conduct numerous transactions, together with organizing ‘grey’ schemes to withdraw funds from Russia, in addition to different unlawful actions.”
Russian prosecutors additionally highlighted that the alternate has actively supported the Ukrainian Armed Forces for the reason that first days of what Moscow continues to name “the particular army operation” on the territory of its neighbor.
WhiteBIT is being accused of “implementing numerous applications in collaboration with the Kyiv regime establishments,” in response to the press launch, which additional detailed:
“In 2022, WhiteBIT’s administration transferred a complete of roughly $11 million to them. $900,000 was allotted for the acquisition of drone techniques.”
The prosecutor’s workplace identified that the crypto firm’s executives take part in worldwide charity auctions, donating the proceeds for a similar goal.
It famous that a few of the UAVs bought with the cash find yourself within the palms of the Azov Brigade of Ukraine’s Nationwide Guard, regarded by Russia as a terrorist group.
“WhiteBIT cooperates with the Ministry of International Affairs of Ukraine. Since Might 2022, the alternate has been offering technical assist to the United24 fundraising platform, created on the initiative of the President of Ukraine to gather cryptocurrency donations,” the announcement added, quoted by Russian-language crypto media within the area.
Ukrainian-rooted WhiteBIT is one in every of Europe’s largest coin buying and selling platforms
WhiteBIT, which manufacturers itself as the most important European crypto alternate by site visitors, is definitely among the many high buying and selling venues for digital belongings on the Previous Continent.
Based by Ukrainian entrepreneur Volodymyr Nosov in 2018 and registered in Lithuania, it has develop into a significant international platform, as a part of the W Group, with thousands and thousands of customers throughout many international locations.
Nosov, who can be the CEO of WhiteBIT, has been acknowledged for his efforts to advertise crypto adoption in wartorn Ukraine, together with via numerous partnerships and charitable initiatives.
Ukrainian coin utilization spiked amid the bitter struggle with Russia, which additionally introduced fiat restrictions imposed by the Nationwide Financial institution of Ukraine (NBU) underneath martial legislation through the preliminary phases of the battle.
The invaded Japanese European nation ranked among the many world’s high adopters within the 2025 Geography of Cryptocurrency report produced by the blockchain analytics agency Chainalysis.
The authorities in Kyiv have been taking steps to legalize cryptocurrencies and correctly regulate the nation’s rising digital-asset economic system.
Their first try to try this, in early 2022, was postponed by the Russian army assault, which began in February of that yr.
In September 2025, lawmakers within the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s unicameral legislature, permitted a invoice “On Digital Asset Markets,” as reported by Cryptopolitan. On the time, Nosov welcomed the event, emphasizing its significance:
“A window of alternative has opened for attracting crypto investments and repatriating international belongings of Ukrainian crypto fans.”
In the meantime, Russia has additionally taken the trail towards regulating quite than banning cryptocurrencies and associated actions, though it’s clearly going to do it the Russian manner.
The nation legalized the mining of digital currencies in August 2024 and launched an “experimental” authorized regime for restricted crypto transactions the next spring.
The non permanent association has been primarily used to bypass Western monetary restrictions in cross-border commerce and for strictly managed crypto funding by “extremely certified” buyers.
Then, in late December 2025, the Financial institution of Russia introduced a brand new regulatory idea that goals to acknowledge cryptocurrencies and stablecoins as “financial belongings” and broaden investor entry.
Officers in Moscow are insisting the nation wants its personal crypto infrastructure to faucet into the income generated by the booming mining sector, cut back dependence on international buying and selling platforms and restrict capital flight via digital belongings.
