Exchange policies change regularly, and with crypto regulation in the US moving toward a more controlled environment, several major updates have recently affected American users. So, is KuCoin available in the US? KuCoin has changed its policies several times, from making KYC mandatory to fully restricting US access. In this article, we will look at these changes, including its latest update on US IP access restrictions and the process for withdrawing assets from restricted accounts.

 

Is KuCoin Available in the US?

No, KuCoin is no longer available in the US. If you are returning to an old account and cannot log in, this is not a temporary issue. KuCoin announced on January 16, 2025 that it would close US accounts from January 23, 2025. Since then, accounts verified as belonging to US residents have had their logins disabled, while access from US IP addresses has also been restricted.

Users who still have funds on the exchange are not locked out of their assets, but withdrawals now require a recovery process through KuCoin support

 

Why Is KuCoin Unavailable in the US?

KuCoin left the US after facing criminal and civil action over how it had served American users. The main issue was not crypto trading itself, but that KuCoin offered trading, money transmission, futures, swaps, margin, and other leveraged products without completing the registrations required in the United States.

The US Department of Justice charged KuCoin and two of its founders in March 2024, alleging that the exchange operated an unlicensed money-transmitting business and failed to maintain adequate anti-money laundering and identity verification systems. Prosecutors said KuCoin had received more than $5 billion and sent more than $4 billion in suspicious or criminal proceeds since launching in 2017.

The CFTC also filed a separate case over KuCoin’s derivatives business. According to the CFTC, KuCoin allowed US customers to trade futures, swaps, margin products, and other leveraged crypto contracts without registering with the CFTC. It also alleged that KuCoin’s previous KYC controls did little to prevent American customers from using these products.

This was not KuCoin’s first problem with US regulators. In December 2023, the exchange agreed to pay more than $22 million and stop serving New York customers after the state found that it had operated without registering as a securities and commodities broker-dealer.

The federal case eventually led Peken Global, the company operating KuCoin, to plead guilty in January 2025. It agreed to pay more than $297 million, including a $112.9 million criminal fine and $184.5 million in forfeiture, and keep KuCoin out of the US market for at least two years.

The CFTC case was later resolved in March 2026 with a permanent injunction preventing KuCoin from giving US participants direct access to its trading system without the required registration, along with a $500,000 civil penalty.

So, KuCoin’s US shutdown was not a voluntary policy adjustment. It followed years of allowing American customers to access services that the platform was not registered to provide.

 

Is KuCoin Legal in the US?

KuCoin is not authorized to serve users in the United States. Its Terms of Use list the US, including its territories, among the platform’s restricted locations. This means US residents are not permitted to create an account, trade, or access KuCoin’s services, even through a VPN. Doing so would violate KuCoin’s terms and could result in the account being suspended or restricted.

 

Can US Citizens Use KuCoin With a VPN?

No, a VPN does not make KuCoin available to US users. KuCoin can use automated compliance checks to review IP addresses, account locations, device activity, and KYC information. If these details do not match, the account may be flagged, restricted, or suspended. This could prevent you from trading or accessing your funds normally, so using a VPN only creates a higher risk of getting the account blocked.

 

How Can US Users Withdraw Funds From KuCoin?

The normal withdrawal window ended once KuCoin’s US restrictions took effect on January 23, 2025. So, if you still have funds in an old KuCoin account, you can no longer log in and withdraw them through the usual process. All withdrawals must now be handled with help from KuCoin customer support. Here is how US users can withdraw funds from a KuCoin account:

Step 1: Head over to the KuCoin support request page in your browser.

Step 2: Open the “Issue Type” menu and select “USA User Inquiries” option. This option is specifically for US users who cannot access their accounts or withdraw their remaining funds.

Step 3: Enter an active email address where KuCoin can contact you. Make sure you have access to this inbox, as the support team will use it to send updates and request any additional information. Click “Next” and complete the remaining information requested on the form.

Step 4: KuCoin’s customer support team will review your request and contact you within seven business days. They may ask for additional account details or documents to confirm that you own the account, so respond promptly to avoid further delays.

Step 5: KuCoin will review your identity documents to confirm that the account belongs to a US resident. Once your identity has been verified, you will need to wait around 30 to 60 days to receive a link to the asset claim page.

KuCoin charges a one-time service fee of 30 USDT, or the equivalent amount in another currency, for assisted asset retrieval. This fee does not include blockchain network fees or any other costs that may apply when transferring the assets.

 

Best KuCoin Alternatives in the US

KuCoin is no longer an option for US users, but there are still exchanges that can replace some of its main features. Kraken is the better choice for users who want a well-established US exchange, while Bitunix may suit traders looking for more altcoins and access to derivatives.

Kraken

Kraken is a suitable KuCoin alternative for users who prefer a regulated exchange with spot trading, recurring purchases, staking, and advanced order types. It lists fewer low-cap altcoins than KuCoin, but it is easier for US users to access and has built a strong reputation for security and compliance. You can read our complete Kraken review to learn more about its fees, supported assets, account requirements, and trading features before signing up.

Bitunix

Bitunix is better suited to active traders who used KuCoin for futures, leverage, and less common altcoins. Its interface is straightforward, and users can access both spot and perpetual markets. Availability may still depend on your location, so it is worth checking the latest account requirements before depositing funds. You can read our complete Bitunix review for a closer look at its fees, leverage limits, supported markets, and security measures.

 

Bottom Line

KuCoin’s US policy changed in stages, moving from mandatory KYC and limited access to a complete closure of American accounts in January 2025. KuCoin is now unavailable in the US, and neither new nor returning users can access its trading services. Anyone with assets still held on the exchange must contact customer support, complete identity verification, and use the assisted asset retrieval process. With KuCoin no longer serving American traders, you can go through our list of the best crypto exchanges available in the US to pick a platform that offers the coins, trading markets, and account features you need.

 

FAQs

1. Can I still use KuCoin in the US?

No. KuCoin no longer allows US residents to create accounts, trade, or access its services. Accounts and US IP addresses have been restricted since January 2025.

 

2. Did KuCoin close US accounts?

KuCoin closed accounts identified as belonging to US residents on January 23, 2025. Returning users may therefore find that they can no longer log in normally.

 

3. How do I withdraw money from KuCoin in the USA?

Submit a ticket through KuCoin’s support request page and select USA User Inquiries as the issue type. After verifying your identity, you may wait 30 to 60 days for the claim-page link. A one-time 30 USDT service fee applies.

 

4. Can old US users still access KuCoin?

No. Even accounts created before the restrictions can no longer access KuCoin normally. Users with remaining funds must complete the assisted asset retrieval process through customer support.