Let's start with the explanation. Infura is a platform that allows decentralized platforms to connect to the Etherium blockchain without having to run their own node. Accordingly, it takes care of the nodes and keeps them running, while other projects don't take the time and effort to do so. As noted on Infura's website, the company allows you to connect to the ETH blockchain with a single line of code.

In this regard, the platform has the ability to block users by IP address. This is exactly what happened the day before to residents of certain territories.

What happened to MetaMask?

Management of the Infura platform, which hosts nodes on the Ethereum network and manages the blockchain infrastructure on behalf of companies, claims that the problem was unintentional and has already been resolved. According to Infura, it arose due to an inadvertent change in IP blocking settings as part of the current sanctions against Russia. More details were provided by a ConsenSys representative in an interview with Decrypt.

Infura is closely monitoring changes in the US sanctions programmes announced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, and is narrowly tuning its internal processes to comply with legal requirements. The restrictions currently apply to Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Syria, and the Crimea and Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. Infura’s compliance with legal requirements is mandatory and does not reflect the platform’s views on any public policy issue.

ConsenSys co-founder Joe Lubin

Russia was not mentioned in the list of banned countries, but ConsenSys confirmed that Infura is blocking access to all IP addresses in the three problematic regions. MetaMask’s official Twitter account reported that Infura’s reconfiguration caused problems with the Etherium wallet itself, but the problem has now been resolved. Experts continue.

MetaMask is a client-side cryptocurrency wallet that is supposed to make the blockchain as accessible as possible to everyone. Infura had problems with the reconfiguration this morning, but they have already been fixed.

The MetaMask support page with the headline “Why MetaMask and Infura can’t serve certain areas” talks about “MetaMask and Infura are not available in certain jurisdictions for the sake of compliance”. The message was updated on Thursday and no longer includes MetaMask in either the title or the explanation. It now reads as follows.

By default, MetaMask accesses the blockchain via Infura, which is not available in some jurisdictions due to legal compliance.

Recall that the US, the European Union and other jurisdictions have imposed tough sanctions against Russia. In addition to freezing hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign reserves and severing certain Russian banks’ links to the SWIFT communications network, Western countries have also imposed restrictions on state companies, government officials and oligarchs.


However, the heads of major cryptocurrency platforms do not yet plan to ban Russians from accessing the platform without a directive to do so. In particular, this idea was voiced by the head of Coinbase exchange Brian Armstrong. You can read more of his remarks here.

MetaMask error seen by users from sanctioned territories

US sanctions apply to companies doing business in the US, including ConsenSys and its products. This makes sure that no assets are used to circumvent sanctions. However, cryptocurrency transactions between most individuals will not be directly affected. Therefore, Infura’s blocking of “certain jurisdictions” does not mean that residents of Russia or disputed territories will not be able to use crypto at all.


We believe that this situation turned out to be unpleasant, as it hints at the centralization of the digital assets niche. However, it is possible to use MetaMask without any restrictions, but you will have to configure and run your own node. This requires additional knowledge, hardware and time.