Venezuelans are facing restrictions on accessing Binance, a popular crypto exchange, due to government measures following a controversial presidential election. The Venezuelan government has limited access to the Binance website, affecting many users who rely on the platform for peer-to-peer transactions involving stablecoins like USDT and Bitcoin. In response to the blockade, local group VE sin Filtro recommended using a virtual private network (VPN) to bypass the restrictions.
Concerns have been raised about the use of VPNs and potential consequences for user accounts on Binance. Journalist Jose Antonio Lanz questioned whether Binance would treat Venezuelan users using VPNs differently from users in other countries facing restrictions. Binance has not yet provided a response to these concerns.
In addition to the restrictions on Binance, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro imposed a 10-day ban on the social media platform X. Maduro accused the platform’s owner, Elon Musk, of “inciting hate and fascism” and ordered the platform to be removed from circulation. This move came after election authorities declared Maduro the winner of the July 28 election, a result disputed by the opposition, who claimed their candidate had actually won.
The United States rejected the election results, supporting the opposition’s claim of victory. The situation in Venezuela remains tense, with restrictions on both crypto exchanges and social media platforms complicating the political landscape. As Venezuelans navigate these challenges, the use of VPNs has become a crucial tool for accessing essential services online.