Is MEXC Leaving Russia and Belarus? Restrictions, Withdrawals, and Where to Trade Next
On October 20, 2026, reports began circulating in crypto communities that MEXC was ending services for users in Russia and Belarus. Traders immediately had questions: Will accounts be frozen? How much time will users have to withdraw their funds? And which exchange can they move to?
No official announcement confirming a complete shutdown of MEXC services in both countries has been verified so far. However, restrictions are already in place. Since May, traders in Russia and Belarus have been unable to open new positions in certain futures contracts.
Here's what has been confirmed, what the restrictions mean for open positions and trading bots, and whether Bybit is a viable alternative.
What Restrictions Has MEXC Introduced for Russia and Belarus?
On May 18, 2026, MEXC restricted the opening of new positions in selected futures pairs for users in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Armenia.
The affected contracts include SIRENUSDT, ENAUSDT, LUNCUSDT, TIAUSDT, FETUSDT, PENDLEUSDT, and dozens of others.
Existing positions could still be managed and closed. Traders were allowed to adjust margin and leverage, place closing orders, and continue trading futures pairs that were not affected by the restrictions.
On October 14, MEXC published an updated overview of restricted and prohibited jurisdictions. Russia and Belarus were not explicitly listed among the countries subject to a complete service ban.
That means the October 20 reports cannot yet be treated as confirmation that all accounts will be frozen or closed. A separate official announcement outlining the scope and deadlines would be needed.
Will MEXC Freeze Funds Held by Russian and Belarusian Users?
Trading restrictions and withdrawal freezes are not the same thing. Losing the ability to open new futures positions does not automatically mean losing access to assets held in a spot wallet.
If MEXC begins closing individual accounts, the terms of each notice will matter: which operations remain available, when existing positions must be closed, and how withdrawals will be handled.
As of now, no universal withdrawal deadline for users in Russia and Belarus has been confirmed. Any dates circulating without an official exchange announcement should be treated cautiously.
Futures traders face an additional problem. An open MEXC futures position cannot be transferred directly to another exchange. It must be closed on MEXC, and any replacement position would have to be opened at the prevailing market price elsewhere.
For traders running leverage, multiple DCA entries, or simultaneous Long and Short positions, that can be considerably more complicated than transferring a USDT balance.
What Should MEXC Users Do Now?
Even if your account is operating normally, it makes sense to check your withdrawal options and have a backup exchange ready.
- Check your account status. Review MEXC's in-app notifications and emails. If your account has been restricted, confirm the exact conditions with official support.
- Review open positions. Check leverage, margin, unrealized PnL, and pending orders. If the exchange sets a deadline for closing positions, calculate the potential cost of exiting before that deadline.
- Check withdrawal options. Make sure the required blockchain networks are available, the destination address is correct, and the receiving exchange supports the asset. For larger transfers, consider sending a small test transaction first.
- Export your trading history. Save records of orders, executions, fees, deposits, and withdrawals.
- Prepare a backup exchange. If you're running trading bots on MEXC, check how quickly your strategies can be deployed elsewhere and which settings will need to change.
Creating an account with false information or using a VPN to bypass regional restrictions is not a reliable workaround. It can trigger further account reviews and create additional problems when accessing your funds.
Bybit as an Alternative to MEXC
Bybit is one option for traders who need spot markets, futures, and API access for automated trading.
As of October 20, 2026, Russia and Belarus are not named in Bybit's general list of excluded jurisdictions. However, individual services, particularly fiat transactions, have their own regional restrictions. Access also depends on residency, KYC requirements, and the exchange's current terms.
Crypto Resources traders have another advantage: our trading infrastructure already supports Bybit. ST Bot, Spot Bot, and Trap Radar Bot can execute trades through the Bybit API.
Registering through the Crypto Resources Bybit referral link also gives eligible users access to additional platform benefits:
- Free PRO crypto screeners with personal Telegram alerts.
- One free Trap Radar PRO.
- Higher Trap Radar limits and more API connections on paid plans.
- A reduction in Crypto Resources trading bot fees from 25% to 20% of profitable trade results.
To activate these benefits, connect your Bybit UID to your Crypto Resources account and maintain more than $500 in trading volume over the previous 30 days.
These are Crypto Resources partner benefits. The reduced bot fee is not a discount on Bybit's own trading commissions.
How to Move Trading Bots from MEXC to Bybit
Automated trading introduces another risk: if an exchange stops accepting new orders, a trading strategy may no longer work as intended.
Consider a bot that opens a Short during a local pump and waits for another signal before adding to the position. If new orders are restricted, the planned DCA entry cannot be executed. The existing position, however, remains exposed to market movements.
A similar problem arises when Long and Short positions are managed independently. Closing one side without accounting for the other changes the strategy's overall exposure.
A practical migration process looks like this:
- Review and settle positions on MEXC without leaving existing trades unmanaged.
- Open an eligible Bybit account and complete the required identity verification.
- Create a separate API key for Crypto Resources, with withdrawal permissions disabled.
- Check trading pairs, leverage, position mode, order sizes, and DCA settings.
- Test execution in Bybit Demo before moving to live trading with limited position sizes.
You can move a strategy to another exchange, but you cannot transfer an open futures position.
Identical settings also won't guarantee identical execution. Liquidity, spreads, slippage, and available contracts vary between exchanges.
For the full setup process, see our guide: How to Connect a Trading Bot to Bybit via API.
What Happens to Trading Bots When an Exchange Introduces New Restrictions?
For someone simply holding crypto, the main concern is whether withdrawals will remain available. For an algorithmic trader, the problem goes further.
Exchange restrictions can affect new entries, position increases, pending orders, and API operations. Even when closing positions is still permitted, parts of the strategy may no longer be executable.
This is especially relevant for systems built around DCA, repeated entries, opposing positions, and dynamic order management.
API functionality and access to funds need to be monitored separately. A working terminal and a positive USDT balance do not necessarily mean that a bot can execute every action required by its strategy.
Having a second exchange with a tested API connection can help restore trading operations more quickly. It does not, however, eliminate the possibility of new regional restrictions in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MEXC Really Leaving Russia and Belarus?
Reports surfaced on October 20, 2026, but an official announcement confirming a complete shutdown has not been verified. Restrictions on selected futures contracts have been in effect since May 18.
What Is the MEXC Withdrawal Deadline for Russia and Belarus?
There is no confirmed general deadline for users in either country. Check official MEXC announcements and any notices specifically issued to your account.
Is Bybit Available in Russia and Belarus?
Neither country is included in Bybit's general list of excluded jurisdictions as of the publication date. However, certain services may be restricted, and account eligibility depends on residency, verification requirements, and applicable regulations.
Can I Transfer an Open Futures Position from MEXC to Bybit?
No. Futures positions cannot be transferred directly between exchanges. You must close or otherwise settle the position on MEXC and open a separate trade on Bybit if the relevant product is available to you.
Bottom Line
Reports of MEXC ending services in Russia and Belarus still need official confirmation, but regional trading restrictions are already in effect. Since May 2026, they have directly affected access to selected futures contracts.
For active traders, the practical response is to check account status, review open positions, and prepare a backup exchange. That matters even more when trading through API-connected bots that depend on continuous access to order execution.
Bybit is worth considering as an alternative, provided your account meets the exchange's requirements. And because Crypto Resources already supports Bybit, existing strategies can be adapted rather than rebuilt from scratch.
Last updated: October 20, 2026.