Twitch has stopped all payments from the platform to Russian broadcasters. It joins a growing list of companies that have cut financial ties with Russia as the US and European Union continue to impose economic sanctions against the country. A number of Russian banks have been banned from the SWIFT international payment system due to sanctions. Co-payment providers Visa and Mastercard recently stopped all services in Russia after the country invaded Ukraine. According to The Washington Post, Russian broadcasters were notified via email last weekend that Twitch would not be able to pay. The email reads, “Payments to the financial institution associated with your Twitch account have been blocked due to sanctions.” These sanctions may limit or affect your access to payments, your ability to monetize your stream, and/or your ability to financially support other creators.”
The email stated that if Twitch does not have access to a different financial institution, the platform will make an effort to pay Russian broadcasters as soon as possible.
Russian broadcasters share their troubles on Twitter and raise awareness about their situation. Commander_Ivy, Twitch's partner streamer, expressed his disappointment in a tweet, stating that PayPal is no longer a viable alternative.
“So PayPal stopped working in Russia today and Twitch will no longer pay Russian broadcasters,” Commander_Ivy said. “Thank you so much for cutting off my only source of income. I'm sure this will solve all the world's problems."
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to affect the livelihoods of Russian and Ukrainian creators in many ways, different sections of the Twitch community have come together in solidarity with Ukraine. On February 28, popular Twitch streamer Hasan Piker raised $100.000 in partnership with CARE to help Ukraine.
Kaynak
