EU Slams Brakes on Russian Crypto Services with 21st Sanctions Package

The European Union has tightened its sanctions on Russia by targeting 14 cryptocurrency-related service platforms in six jurisdictions. The move is part of the EU's 21st sanctions package, which was approved on July 23, 2026, and adds a total of 218 listings.

The 14 crypto services on the list include HTX (HUOBI GLOBAL SA) and EXMO Ltd, among others. These platforms are tied to jurisdictions such as Georgia, Panama, UAE, Marshall Islands, Kyrgyzstan, and Belarus.

The EU has also introduced a new mechanism that allows it to impose a full third-country ban on crypto-asset services if required. This means that the EU could prohibit its entities from providing or receiving crypto services to or from an entire jurisdiction.

Crypto exchanges, OTC desks, wallets, and payments platforms operating in the EU must now freeze onboarding for these listed services before the entry dates, which are set for August 2026. They also need to update their sanctions screening layer to block both brand and corporate names, map dependencies, re-paper contracts, train customer support, and engage with banks early.