The European Council officially added crypto exchange HTX to the European Union sanctions list on Thursday, July 24, 2026, as part of a new package of restrictions targeting Russia. This formalized decision serves as a direct amendment to existing sanctions regulations tied to the conflict in Ukraine. The inclusion of the exchange, formerly known as Huobi Global, marks a fresh step by the bloc to tighten cross-border fund flows.
HTX was sanctioned alongside 17 other institutions. The EU designated the 18-entity list as offshore crypto or payment service providers that undermine embargo efforts. According to statements from relevant authorities, this group of entities is accused of frustrating the primary objectives of the restrictions imposed on Russia. The financial institutions and crypto entities on the list are strongly suspected of acting as a financial lifeline for the country’s war machine operations.
Growing List Following UK Ban
The European Union’s action follows a series of regulatory penalties previously targeted at HTX. UK authorities led similar measures by sanctioning the digital asset trading platform in May 2026. In their ruling at the time, the UK stated they held reasonable grounds to suspect the crypto platform was providing operational support to the Russian government.
Amid mounting pressure from major European jurisdictions, the exchange is still attempting to defend its stance. A company representative previously told Cointelegraph that regulatory compliance remains an absolute priority for their business operations. However, these defense arguments have not proven sufficient to ease regulator suspicions as authorities continue to cut off remittance channels.
Sanctions Expand to Belarus
The European Union’s maneuver on Thursday extended beyond blocking offshore service providers. Simultaneously, the economic bloc formalized separate restrictions aimed directly at Belarusian citizens and residents. Authorities across the continent now prohibit this group from owning, controlling, or managing crypto exchanges as well as any type of digital asset service providers.
The tightening of regulations for Belarusian individuals is enforced directly under the MiCA framework. This series of restrictive amendments sends a clear message to crypto market participants: attempting to facilitate transactions that evade official sanctions can lead to complete isolation across European markets.
Reported by Cointelegraph.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
