BitMEX sets Sept. 23 shutdown, with trading limits from Aug. 26

BitMEX users now face a fixed exit schedule. The exchange said it will shut down at 04:00 UTC on Sept. 23, giving customers about two months to withdraw funds, but traders with open exposure have an earlier deadline to manage positions.

New registrations have already been halted. From 04:00 UTC on Aug. 26, BitMEX will apply risk limits that leave users in reduce-only mode, meaning positions can only be cut, not expanded. The exchange also said it may force-close contracts during the wind-down, and any positions still open at the Sept. 23 cutoff will be closed immediately.

The notice does not offer a way to transfer positions elsewhere. Traders who want to keep the same market exposure on another venue would need to open a separate trade.

Users who miss the closure time will still be able to access their accounts to view balances and records and request withdrawals. But accounts that remain funded after that point, if KYC verified, will face a monthly custody-style charge set at the higher of $50 equivalent or 1% per year on the remaining balance. BitMEX also warned that withdrawals could be delayed by extra reviews or blockchain conditions, and said there is no priority withdrawal service.