# Bitget Bans Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan in Updated Terms of Service The crypto exchange expands its restricted jurisdictions list following a major security breach. - **Source:** [INCRYPTED](https://brifing.si/source/7cd4625d-3f08-4cc1-983d-4c7d991839ba) - **Published:** 2026-10-17 - **Topic:** [Finance](https://brifing.si/c/finance) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/2359ed6b-b1c6-4253-818d-f81f831e87ad ## Expanded Geographical Restrictions Bitget officially updated its Terms of Use on October 16, 2026, adding Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan to its list of prohibited jurisdictions. This move restricts residents of these nations from accessing the platform's services. The exchange maintains the authority to modify this list of restricted territories at its own discretion. ## Global Compliance Framework The updated list includes a wide range of countries beyond the newly added states, such as the United States, Canada, Germany, France, and Japan. Additionally, the platform prohibits access from regions like Iran, North Korea, and specific territories including Crimea. These measures reflect a broader strategy to align with international regulatory requirements. ## Corporate Verification Protocols Bitget has implemented specific procedures to verify legal entities that may have ties to the United States. This mechanism is designed to ensure that corporate accounts comply with American legislation. By scrutinizing these connections, the exchange aims to mitigate potential legal exposure and maintain operational integrity within its complex global regulatory environment. ## Context of Security Incident These policy changes follow a significant security breach that occurred in late September 2026. During this incident, the platform experienced an unauthorized withdrawal of assets totaling approximately $351.6 million. While the exchange confirmed that private keys remained secure, the event necessitated a comprehensive review of the platform's operational and user access policies. ## Financial Protection Measures To address the aftermath of the September breach, Bitget utilized its user protection fund, which holds over $464 million in assets. This fund is intended to cover losses incurred by users during security incidents. The exchange is leveraging these reserves to maintain market confidence despite the substantial financial impact of the unauthorized asset withdrawal. ## Attribution and Investigation CEO Gracy Chen and various on-chain analysts have explored potential links between the September security breach and North Korean hackers. Despite these initial assessments, a definitive attribution of the attack has not been confirmed. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing as the exchange continues to evaluate its security infrastructure and risk management. ## Future Strategic Outlook Despite the recent security challenges and the tightening of regional access, Bitget maintains its long-term strategic goals. CEO Gracy Chen has reiterated that the company remains committed to its plans for a public listing within approximately three years. This indicates a focus on institutionalizing the exchange's operations despite current regulatory and security hurdles. ## Operational Impact Analysis The exclusion of major markets like Russia and Kazakhstan signals a shift toward prioritizing jurisdictions with clearer regulatory frameworks. By consolidating its user base, Bitget aims to stabilize its operations following the $351.6 million loss. Stakeholders should monitor further updates to the Terms of Use as the exchange continues to refine its global footprint. ## Sources covering this story - https://incrypted.com/bitget-vnesla-rf-belorus-y-kazakhstan-v-spysok-zapreshchennykh-stran/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._