**Venezuela Blocks Binance Amid Election Unrest**
Venezuela's government has blocked access to the crypto exchange Binance, social media platform X, and other online services following disputed presidential election results. Local anti-censorship group VE sin Filtro reported a DNS block on Binance, affecting its website and mobile app.
Binance confirmed the block, assuring users their funds are safe and that they are monitoring the situation closely. The exchange's P2P service remains popular in Venezuela, where locals seek alternatives to the inflated bolívar. VE sin Filtro advised using a VPN to bypass the block.
The block came after President Nicolas Maduro ordered a ten-day ban on X, following a public spat with its owner, Elon Musk. The encrypted messaging app Signal was also blocked but remains functional with censorship circumvention enabled.
The election has sparked widespread protests, with both Maduro and rival Edmundo González claiming victory. The government-controlled electoral authority declared Maduro the winner with just over 51% of the vote, but González disputes this, claiming he won with nearly 70%. The international community has largely not recognized Maduro's victory and has called for a detailed vote count.