ChainCatcher report: The European Union has further tightened restrictions on Belarus regarding crypto assets, prohibiting Belarusian citizens and residents from owning, controlling, or managing crypto service providers regulated under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). According to Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1847 adopted by the Council of the European Union, this measure extends the EU’s sanctions framework targeting Belarus’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The new rules will take effect on July 24, with expanded restrictions targeting the crypto industry coming into force on August 25. Under MiCA’s definitions, the affected services include operating crypto trading platforms, crypto asset exchange, execution and transmission of client orders, crypto asset issuance services, asset transfer services, investment advice, and portfolio management. This restriction coincides with the end of MiCA’s transition period on July 1. Previously, the EU required unlicensed crypto firms to cease operations or face regulatory enforcement. The EU stated that this expanded restriction is part of its broader effort to combat the use of crypto platforms to circumvent sanctions against Russia. Previously, in its 21st round of sanctions against Russia, the EU extended transaction prohibitions to 14 crypto-related service platforms outside the EU and established a mechanism to enable future bans on transactions with any foreign crypto service providers deemed to assist Russia in evading sanctions. Market participants note that as the MiCA regulatory framework fully takes effect, the EU is further strengthening its regulatory control over the crypto industry through licensing requirements and sanction mechanisms.
EU Expands Crypto Restrictions on Belarus, Bans Citizens from Controlling MiCA-Regulated Providers
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Summary
On-chain news: The European Union has expanded sanctions against Belarus, prohibiting its citizens from owning or managing crypto service providers under the MiCA framework. The measure, effective August 25, targets exchanges, asset issuance, and portfolio management.
Crypto news: The EU aims to prevent crypto platforms from assisting Russia in evading sanctions. This action follows the end of the MiCA transition period on July 1 and builds upon prior bans of 14 non-EU crypto platforms.
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