Cryptocurrency Exchange Uphold Leaves Venezuela Due to US Sanctions
Uphold, a New York-based cryptocurrency exchange, has announced it is closing its operations in Venezuelan markets. The company, which has already had problems with users in the country in the past — shutting down accounts and requiring KYC controls that some users deemed excessive — declares that the exit from Venezuela has to do with the “complexity of complying with U.S. sanctions.”
Uphold, a New York-headquartered cryptocurrency exchange and stock trading platform, has announced that it will no longer serve customers registered in Venezuela. The company, which serves more than 184 countries according to its own data, argues that the current situation between Venezuela and the U.S is the cause of this decision.
We´re very sorry to tell you that Uphold has decided to withdraw from Venezuela owing to the increasing complexity of complying with U.S. sanctions. Venezuela was one of the first countries to embrace Uphold and we love serving our customers there. We are taking this step very reluctantly.
However, the company also stated that it hopes to return to Venezuelan markets as soon as the conditions allow it. The company is not allowing new users from Venezuela to open accounts, and has prompted Venezuelan users to withdraw their funds before July 31 via bank accounts linked to their Uphold accounts, or via cryptocurrency transactions. Also, accounts with a zero balance will be automatically closed by the exchange.
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