Canadian NFT-marketplace blocked accounts and assets of Russians
The Dapper platform has closed the possibility for Russian citizens to sell, change and withdraw their tokens. Now you can only view them in your personal cabinet
Canadian NFT-marketplace Dapper has blocked the accounts of Russians. The accounts themselves have not been closed, but the platform has suspended the ability to buy, sell, exchange and withdraw tokens and assets from accounts linked to Russia, the company said in an explanation.
On Oct. 6, the EU approved a new sanctions package in which it banned, inter alia, the maintenance of cryptocurrency accounts of Russians. Prior to this, users from Russia were permitted to keep on European cryptoservices up to 10 000 €, now the limitations extend to any amount.
Canadian platform Dapper is not subject to EU directives. However, the company said its partner, which handles payment processing and asset storage, is subject to EU regulations and has instructed the marketplace to take action on all accounts belonging to individuals affected by the Oct. 6 EU restrictions.
The project team noted that the accounts have not been closed. Russians can continue to access and view their NFTs. In a further emphasis, it is stressed that all NFTs will remain the properties of the owners.
Late last week, Anatoly Aksakov, head of the State Duma Committee on Financial Market, commented on the new EU sanctions. In his opinion, restrictions on crypto-assets of Russians will only encourage Russia to develop its own blockchain technology for the circulation of digital financial assets.
