Access to BestChange, a well-known crypto aggregator, has been restricted in Russia. Roskomnadzor has not yet provided reasons for the blockage.
BestChange Blocking
The Russian federal agency overseeing communications, known as Roskomnadzor, has restricted access to BestChange, one of the largest crypto aggregators in Eastern Europe. A spokesperson for BestChange stated that their legal team is currently working on regaining access to the website.
History of Restrictions
BestChange was established in 2007 and was first blocked in 2017 by a St. Petersburg court. The court claimed Bitcoin was a monetary surrogate and the irreversible nature of blockchain transactions complicated enforcement. The ban was lifted in 2018, but in 2019 Roskomnadzor blocked it again, only to lift the restriction a few months later.
New Ad Regulations
Following the introduction of new Bitcoin mining and crypto ad regulations in Russia, the country's largest search engine, Yandex, swiftly updated its ad policy. The new rules prohibit ads for virtual assets and services that facilitate moving crypto via Russian infrastructure.
The closure of BestChange might signal tighter control over crypto aggregators in Russia. Yandex's new advertising rules and increased oversight highlight ongoing changes in cryptocurrency regulation.
