How To Use Bybit in the US — 2025 Methods and Risks

The United States is one of Bybit's 'Service Restricted Countries', making it challenging to access an account while in the country. The platform blocks US IP addresses, which left me wondering if I could still use my account when visiting in a few months. I'm sure other account holders share my frustration, especially knowing that Bybit is highly regarded globally, earning an AA rating (CCData 2024)¹.

Can you use Bybit in the US? Non-US citizens can use their Bybit accounts while in the US, if their account was created in a country that Bybit supports, and their KYC and identity are consistent. Still, I discovered this comes with risks, such as limited withdrawals or sudden account freezes — something I desperately want to avoid.

In this article, I’ll clearly explain what Bybit allows, what’s risky, and how to avoid account issues while you’re temporarily in the US. With this information, you can manage your crypto confidently, avoiding any unpleasant surprises.

What Are the Risks of Using Bybit in the US?

Bybit isn’t licensed to operate in the US and states that it "does not offer services or products to users... in the United States..." When I was planning my trip to sunny California, I wondered if I could even log in to my Bybit account — I know I shouldn't check my crypto every day, but it has become part of my morning routine, along with a cup of very strong, black coffee.

Once I looked into it more closely, I realized there are a few key risks to watch out for:

• Violating terms of service/fraud concerns. Using tools like VPNs or false identification to bypass country restrictions violates Bybit’s terms (Bybit 2025)². If caught, it could lead not just to account closure but also to the possible loss of funds tied up in the account.
• Account suspension, freezing, or termination. Bybit’s user agreement states that US residents aren’t allowed to register or use the platform. If Bybit detects that your location is in the US or that you misrepresented your location, it may terminate your account and liquidate open positions.
• Loss of access to funds. If your account is frozen, you might not be able to withdraw your funds. Since you’re violating the terms of service (even if unintentionally), the platform may restrict your ability to move your assets.
• Regulatory & legal risk. In the US, cryptocurrency platforms must be officially registered and comply with rules established by agencies such as the SEC and CFTC. Bybit isn’t licensed there, which creates a risk for anyone trying to use it. While it’s rare for individual travelers to face direct legal trouble, the possibility is still there.
• Transparency and oversight. Because Bybit isn’t regulated in the US, there’s less protection if something goes wrong. That could mean fewer safeguards against issues such as fraud, poor management, or incomplete information about risks.

How To Safely Use Bybit in the US — Easy Guide

All I want to do is check balances and possibly make a quick trade while visiting the US, but Reddit users and other crypto chat forums have warned me that I'll likely encounter error messages, blocked logins, or failed KYC checks. So, my team and I investigated the safest ways to access Bybit in the US.

Here are a few ways you can still access Bybit securely and reduce the risk of getting flagged:

Contact Bybit Support Before Traveling to the US

One of the safest steps you can take is to reach out to Bybit support before you arrive in the US. If you already have an account, explain your situation and let them know you’ll be traveling temporarily. Their team can clarify what restrictions might apply to your account and whether you’ll still be able to log in to check balances or make withdrawals while in the US.

This step may feel simple, but it can save you a lot of stress later. If Bybit is aware of your travel plans in advance, you're less likely to run into sudden freezes or withdrawal issues. Even if they cannot guarantee full access, you’ll at least know what to expect.

You can reach Bybit support via 24/7 chat or email. If you need help right away, live chat is the fastest option. With chat support, you can connect directly to an agent, explain your situation, and usually get a response within minutes.

If your issue isn’t urgent, you can also submit a support ticket through the Help Center.

1. Go to the Help Center. Visit Bybit’s Help Center and sign in with your account.
2. Click Submit Case. You’ll find this option in the top right corner of the page. It will take you to the support form.
   You can choose from different support options such as disputes, appeals, or account recovery
3. Fill in your account details. Enter your User ID (UID) and the email address associated with your Bybit account so that the team can verify your identity.
   The dropdown menu helps direct your request to the correct department
4. Describe your issue clearly. In the message box, explain your situation in detail. For example, let them know you will be traveling to the US temporarily and ask how this might affect your account access.
5. Add screenshots or files (optional). If you have error messages or notifications that you want to share, you can attach them directly to your ticket.
6. Submit your request. Once everything is complete, click Submit. You’ll receive an automatic confirmation email with a case number, allowing you to track the request.
7. Wait for a response. Bybit support is available 24/7, and most users report receiving a response within a day, which is also my experience. For urgent issues, you can follow up through live chat.

Securely Use Bybit in the US With a VPN

A VPN enables safe access to Bybit from anywhere. It works by routing your internet traffic through a secure server in another country, masking your real IP address, and protecting your data from snooping. This enables secure access to trading sites and helps facilitate normal functioning from almost any location.

Please note that, like other cryptocurrency exchanges, Bybit requires Know Your Customer (KYC) checks based on your identification documents. If the account was created and verified with documents from a supported country, it should be possible to continue using it securely with a VPN connection.

Here’s how to set it up step by step:

1. Pick a trustworthy VPN. Select a provider known for strong security, fast speeds, and a strict no-logs policy. Make sure it has multiple server locations in countries where Bybit operates, such as Canada, Australia, or Singapore. I recommend picking a VPN that can remain undetected, so look for one that uses obfuscation.
   It offers the best speeds for trading without lag
2. Install the VPN on your device. Download the app for your computer, phone, or tablet. Most leading VPNs allow you to connect several devices at once, so you’re protected everywhere.
   Select a server in a country where Bybit is available
3. Connect to a server. Open the app and choose a location outside the US. For best performance, pick a geographically close country. You can also double-check with an IP address checker tool to confirm that your location has changed.
   ExpressVPN lets you switch between protocols for optimized speed and reliability
4. Log in to Bybit. With your VPN active, visit the Bybit website or open the mobile app. If an account is verified and in good standing, there should be no problems trading.
   With your VPN active, you can safely use Bybit anywhere

Quick Comparison Table: VPN Bybit Features

Not every VPN works reliably with Bybit. After testing several providers, I noticed some had weak speeds or lacked features that traders really need. The VPNs below stood out for their security, stability, and performance.

How To Withdraw Safely From Bybit Without Verification Issues

If your verification is complete, you can withdraw without major issues as long as you follow Bybit’s rules. Withdrawing from Bybit can involve transferring funds to a personal crypto wallet, sending them to another exchange, or converting them to fiat currency.

Why Is Bybit Banned in the US?

Why does Bybit not work in the USA? Since 2021, Bybit has blocked US users because it does not meet the strict regulations required to operate in the country (Koinly 2021)³. The US is one of the most stringent markets for crypto exchanges, with rules that encompass everything from customer identity verification to financial reporting. Bybit lists the US as a restricted jurisdiction in its own Service Agreement, which means US citizens cannot complete KYC, and US IP addresses are blocked.

The biggest reason is compliance. In the US, exchanges must register with financial watchdogs, such as FinCEN, and comply with anti-money laundering laws. They also need money-transmitter licenses in many states and a special BitLicense in New York.

Additionally, if an exchange offers derivatives such as futures or perpetual contracts, it must be registered with the CFTC. If any tokens on the platform are considered securities, the SEC also becomes involved. These layers of regulation make it complicated and expensive for offshore platforms like Bybit to operate legally.

US regulators have also demonstrated their willingness to hold platforms accountable for ignoring the rules. In recent years, the SEC and CFTC have filed lawsuits against several major exchanges for operating without approval in the United States, and some have faced substantial fines and even criminal charges. For example, in 2024, the CFTC charged KuCoin for illegally offering futures, swaps, and leveraged retail commodity transactions to US customers without registration and for AML failings (CFTC 2024)⁴.

In 2025, BitMEX was fined $100 million after pleading guilty in 2024 to BSA/AML program failures (Justice.gov, 2025)⁵. These cases show the downside of serving US users without full compliance, which helps explain Bybit’s US block.

The US Treasury’s OFAC also requires virtual currency businesses to screen for sanctioned regions and individuals, and to establish robust sanctions programs. If a platform fails to do this, it can face enforcement actions, mainly if it deals with high-risk countries. This is another reason many exchanges avoid the US market unless they have robust compliance systems in place.

Bybit has taken the more straightforward route of blocking the US entirely. So when people say Bybit is “banned” in the US, it really means the company chose not to operate there. To obtain approval, Bybit would need to undergo expensive and complicated regulatory steps. Until that happens, US residents and anyone logging in with a US IP address will continue to be blocked.

The Current Status of Bybit in the US

Right now, Bybit isn’t available to people in the United States. The company itself lists the US as a restricted country, which means US residents cannot open new accounts or complete KYC. If you try to log in from a US IP address, you may be blocked or flagged, even if you set up your account while living abroad.

For you as a user, this means Bybit simply won’t work the same way in the US as it does elsewhere. You might still be able to log in, but features can be restricted, KYC may fail, and in some cases, funds can be frozen.

What US Traders Should Know After the 2025 Hack

In February 2025, Bybit suffered one of the most significant crypto exchange breaches in history, when hackers stole approximately $ 1.5 billion in Ethereum (Reuters, 2025)⁶. The FBI traced the attack to the North Korean Lazarus Group, also known as “TraderTraitor,” and released a list of wallet addresses connected to the stolen funds. For US traders, this has profound implications. Any interaction with those addresses could be considered contact with sanctioned entities, which can carry legal consequences.

Bybit responded by confirming that customer balances remain backed one-to-one. The exchange absorbed the loss, resumed withdrawals, and introduced a recovery bounty for anyone who helps track or freeze the stolen funds. This meant that traders did not immediately lose access to their assets, which is different from past exchange hacks where users were left with frozen accounts.

The impact on US users goes further. Bybit officially lists the United States as a restricted jurisdiction. Following such a significant security incident, compliance measures are likely to become stricter. Traders in the US may face more stringent account checks, temporary holds on withdrawals, or even account closures if the platform detects US-related activity. For anyone in the US, using Bybit now carries more risk than before.

Another consequence is the rise of scams targeting worried users. Following high-profile hacks, phishing emails, fake “fund recovery” services, and copycat websites often emerge. The safest approach is to follow only official announcements from Bybit and government agencies such as the FBI.

Best Bybit Alternatives Available in the US

Bybit may not be available in the United States, but that doesn’t mean US traders are out of options. Several exchanges and decentralized platforms offer reliable alternatives that strike a balance between compliance, usability, and advanced trading features.

Apex Omni

Apex Omni is a decentralized exchange where you can trade perpetual contracts straight from your wallet. Since it runs on blockchain, you keep complete control of your funds with no middleman involved. For US traders, it’s a strong option because it offers leveraged trading that most regulated US platforms don’t. Your assets stay in your wallet, and trades happen through smart contracts.

The biggest downside I’ve found is that the interface isn’t as smooth as that of larger apps, and customer support is limited. But if you want a Bybit-style experience without leaving the US, Apex Omni is one of the closest choices.

Kraken

If trust and security are your top priorities, Kraken is a solid choice. It’s fully regulated in the US, has been around for years, and lets you trade a wide range of coins while also offering staking and margin options.

You don’t have to worry about whether it’s safe to use. With Kraken, you can trade a wide range of coins, stake assets to earn rewards, and even use margin if you want more advanced tools. The regular app is ideal for everyday trading, while Kraken Pro offers detailed charts and advanced order types for those who want to delve deeper.

The main drawback is that US rules prevent Kraken from offering the high-leverage derivatives you’d find on Bybit. But if you want a platform that’s safe, compliant, and still powerful enough for serious trading, Kraken is a solid choice.

dYdX

dYdX is a decentralized exchange focused on derivatives trading. You don’t need an account; instead, you connect your crypto wallet and trade directly on the blockchain. I appreciate how this allows me to stay in control of my funds at all times, which I view as a significant trading advantage. The platform is also easy to use, with fast execution and ample liquidity.

The drawback is that dYdX can feel intimidating if you’re new to crypto. It’s designed more for experienced traders who are comfortable with decentralized platforms and self-custody. Still, if you want something similar to Bybit while staying in the US, dYdX is one of your best options.

Perpetual Protocol

Perpetual Protocol uses virtual automated market makers (vAMMs) to provide liquidity for perpetual futures. It’s a decentralized option that allows US traders to access derivatives markets legally, though it requires some familiarity with DeFi tools.

Traders connect their wallets and trade directly on-chain, which means they keep custody of their assets instead of handing them to a centralized exchange. However, I find this platform a bit complex for beginners.

GMX

GMX is a decentralized exchange where you can trade spot and perpetual futures straight from your wallet. It runs on Arbitrum and Avalanche, so trades are fast, and fees stay low. Instead of trusting a centralized exchange, you maintain control over your funds throughout. Unfortunately, the main drawback is that it can be less beginner-friendly, and customer support is limited since everything runs through smart contracts.

FAQs on Using Bybit in the US

References

1. https://www.ccdata.io/reports/exchange-benchmark-april-2024
2. https://www.bybit.com/en/help-center/article/Service-Restricted-Countries
3. https://koinly.io/blog/does-bybit-report-to-the-irs/
4. https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/8884-24
5. https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/global-cryptocurrency-exchange-bitmex-fined-100-million-violating-bank-secrecy-act
6. https://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/fbi-says-north-korea-was-responsible-15-billion-bybit-hack-2025-02-27/