Bybit is not available to US residents, and there is no separate Bybit US exchange equivalent to Bybit EU, which operates under the MiCA regulatory framework. The global platform lists the United States among its excluded jurisdictions, meaning US residents cannot officially register, deposit funds, or trade on Bybit.

Some traders attempt to bypass this restriction with a VPN, particularly to access perpetual futures and higher leverage. However, changing your IP address does not change your residency. It can also place your account, open positions, and access to withdrawals at risk.

 

Is Bybit Legal in the US?

Calling Bybit illegal can be misleading. The exchange operates legally in several markets, but it is not registered or authorized to provide its services to US residents.

The United States appears on Bybit’s list of excluded jurisdictions alongside Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, and several sanctioned regions. You can check whether Bybit is available in your region using our free Bybit Country Checker.

Bybit also states that providing false information about your location or residence can result in immediate account termination and liquidation of open positions. 

When Bybit says its services are unavailable in the US, this means US residents are not eligible to:

• Open and verify a Bybit account
• Deposit funds for trading
• Use spot or derivatives markets
• Access Bybit Earn products
• Participate in promotions or rewards
• Operate an account through a VPN

There is also no regional Bybit.US platform. This differs from Europe, where Bybit operates through Bybit EU GmbH. That entity received a MiCAR license from Austria’s FMA and serves eligible residents across the European Economic Area.

Therefore, finding the Bybit website or downloading its app does not mean you are eligible to use its trading services.

 

Why Bybit Blocks US Traders

Bybit is heavily focused on derivatives trading. Its platform offers perpetual futures, margin trading, options, and leveraged positions across 100+ crypto markets.

In the United States, derivatives such as futures, swaps, and options fall under the CFTC’s regulatory framework. Platforms offering these products must meet registration, reporting, customer protection, and market surveillance requirements.

Bybit would also need systems that comply with US AML rules, identity verification standards, and applicable state requirements. Operating a separate American platform would therefore involve far more than adding the United States to its country list.

For now, Bybit has chosen to exclude US residents instead of establishing a licensed American entity.

 

Can You Use Bybit With a VPN?

A VPN can replace your visible US IP address with an IP from another country. This may allow you to load pages or reach parts of the signup process, but it does not make your account eligible.

Users attempting to access Bybit through a VPN can run into several problems:

• Registration restrictions: Bybit may block signup attempts linked to US IP addresses.
• KYC rejection: US identity documents or addresses can reveal your actual residency.
• Location monitoring: Sudden IP changes can trigger an account review.
• Additional verification: Bybit may request documents confirming your address or source of funds.
• Account termination: False location information can result in the account being closed.
• Position liquidation: Open trades may be closed when services are terminated.
• Withdrawal delays: Access to funds may be delayed while identity or residency is reviewed.

A VPN only changes how your internet connection appears. It does not change your address, tax status, identity documents, or the terms governing your account.

Even if an account initially works, a later KYC request can expose the discrepancy. This may happen during a large withdrawal, account recovery request, security review, or change in login activity. The trader is then left trying to verify an account they were never eligible to operate.

Using a VPN to bypass Bybit’s regional restriction also violates the platform’s terms. It should not be treated as a reliable method for accessing offshore derivatives.

 

Does Bybit Report to the IRS?

Bybit does not currently report customer transactions to the IRS or issue Form 1099-DA to US taxpayers. Since the exchange does not operate in the United States, it is not subject to the routine reporting requirements applied to registered US crypto brokers.

 

Alternatives to Bybit for US Users

The closest Bybit alternative depends on the features you need. Coinbase is suitable for users seeking spot trading, recurring purchases, USD deposits, staking, and a familiar advanced trading interface. Eligible US traders can also access perpetual-style futures with up to 10x leverage through Coinbase Financial Markets.

Kraken is closer to Bybit for active traders. Kraken Pro combines spot, margin, advanced order types, staking, and CFTC-regulated perpetual futures for eligible US clients. Its trading interface and derivatives access make it the stronger option for users trying to replace more of the Bybit trading experience. However, Kraken does not provide services to residents of New York or Maine.

 

Bottom Line

If you came here hoping to find a Bybit US platform, the answer is no. A VPN may get you past the initial IP block, but it does not make your account eligible and can create problems during KYC checks or withdrawals. However, you still have other trading options. You can go through our article on the top US crypto exchanges to compare the available platforms and find one offering the features you wanted from Bybit.

 

FAQs

1. Is There a Bybit US Exchange?

There is no separate Bybit US exchange. American residents are excluded from Bybit Global, unlike European users served through Bybit EU.

 

2. Can US Residents Use Bybit Abroad?

Temporary travel does not change a person’s residency. A US resident remains ineligible even when connecting from a country where Bybit operates.

 

3. Can Bybit Restrict Withdrawals?

Bybit may request additional verification before processing a withdrawal. Accounts linked to restricted jurisdictions can face review, closure, or delayed access.

 

4. Is Bybit Available in the UK?

Bybit is available in the UK for spot trading and P2P services following its December 2025 relaunch. However, UK users receive a restricted product selection, and crypto derivatives remain unavailable to retail traders under FCA rules.

 

5. Is Bybit Available in Canada?

Bybit is not available to Canadian residents, so residents cannot officially register, deposit funds, or trade through Bybit Global.