WalletConnect restricts access for users in Russia
ForkLog
Web3-protocol WalletConnect, which allows connecting integrated wallets such as MetaMask or Safe, has announced restrictions on access for customers in Russia.
Dear WalletConnect community,
In light of the latest legal and OFAC guidance, WalletConnect has restricted the availability of the WalletConnect Protocol in Russia. Certain regions of Ukraine were temporarily impacted; service has since resumed.
WalletConnect’s Web3 protocol is once again available in Russia.
“In line with ongoing efforts to optimise access and responsible risk management, we are resuming WalletConnect service in Russia and the corresponding regions of Ukraine,” the developers noted.
“In light of the latest legal directives and OFAC notices, WalletConnect has restricted the availability of the protocol in Russia”, the project’s X account said.
The move took effect on Monday, October 30, and affected some regions of Ukraine. The statement said that service has since been restored.
In October 2021, OFAC OFAC issued guidance for crypto industry participants on compliance with the sanctions regime. The document recommended using “geolocation tools” to identify and block IP addresses from sanctioned jurisdictions.
WalletConnect CEO Pedro Gomes explained in a user notice that the need to disable IP addresses from restricted regions was linked to the Ukraine situation.
“There were some incorrect reports that we blocked other countries not subject to sanctions. We can confirm that no other jurisdiction was affected,” Gomes emphasised.
Users in the comments doubted that there were direct OFAC directives concerning protocols like WalletConnect, which effectively serve to transmit messages. The project’s decision was also described as not in the spirit of decentralisation.
“Very cringe. It seems you’re not all in for Web3 after all. Rest in peace,” wrote the founder of KKTeam under the handle Krakovia.
Very cringe. Seems you're not all in for web3, after all. Rip
Earlier reports showed that Russians use crypto firms in Estonia and Lithuania to circumvent sanctions. For the same purpose, Russian citizens are buying verified accounts of the European Wirex service.
