With more than 500,000 users across 180+ countries, Uphold has become a popular platform for buying, holding, and transferring digital assets. Despite its wide availability, the exchange cannot operate everywhere due to regional regulations and compliance limits.
This guide breaks down Uphold restricted and supported countries, helping you understand where the platform is available and where access is limited. You will also find practical alternatives if Uphold is not accessible in your region, ensuring you can continue your crypto journey without interruption.
🌍 Free Uphold Country Checker
Due to regulations, Uphold does not support every country. To ensure that you are eligible to register on the exchange, you can use our free Uphold country checker.
Simply type in your country and see if you can use the platform or if your country is restricted.
Uphold Restricted & Banned Countries
Like most major financial platforms, Uphold faces regulatory limitations in specific regions, and it is no exception here. As of 2025, the exchange is unavailable in several countries due to local compliance requirements. Below is the list of regions where Uphold is not legally accessible, according to its official resource on Non-Supported Jurisdictions.
Countries Fully Restricted From Using Uphold:
- Anguilla
- Antarctica
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Bouvet Island
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Cuba
- Eritrea
- Fiji
- French Southern Territories
- Guinea
- Heard and McDonald Islands
- Iran
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Mali
- Mauritania
- North Korea
- Palau
- Russian Federation
- Samoa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
- Vanuatu
- Virgin Islands (U.S.)
Locations Where Uphold Does Not Allow New Accounts:
In addition to fully restricted regions, Uphold also maintains a second category of jurisdictions where new account registrations are not permitted.
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- American Samoa
- Angola
- Aruba
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- China
- Congo (Democratic Republic)
- Congo (Republic)
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Crimea
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Ethiopia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Guinea-Bissau
- Haiti
- Hungary
- India
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kosovo
- Libya
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New York (U.S.)
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Russian Federation
- Serbia
- Sint Maarten
- Somalia
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania, United Republic of
- Togo
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- Uzbekistan
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zimbabwe
Uphold Supported Countries
Uphold offers its services across a wide range of regions and maintains regulatory compliance in most supported countries through proper licensing and operational oversight. The platform is accessible in major markets such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and several others, giving users in eligible regions the ability to buy, hold, and transfer digital assets with ease.
To confirm whether your country is supported, you can use our Uphold Country Checker or visit the supported jurisdictions list for detailed coverage.
Is Uphold Available in the United States?
Uphold is available in the United States, serving residents across various states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, and Georgia. However, residents from New York cannot open new accounts and people from the Virgin Islands cannot access its services at all.
Uphold adheres to regulatory requirements in each state, ensuring compliance with money transmission licenses and related regulations.
Residents can find specific contact information for formal complaints or inquiries in their respective states, as Uphold maintains transparency and cooperation with local regulatory authorities. Stay informed and engaged with Uphold’s services, tailored to meet the needs of users in the USA.
Can Uphold be Accessed Via VPN?
Uphold via VPN is not advisable, as it may result in severe legal consequences. For example, U.S. regulations explicitly state that engaging in such actions could lead to a 20-year imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Uphold maintains strict compliance with legal standards, and attempts to bypass restrictions through VPNs compromise legal standing and financial security. Uphold users should prioritize adherence to regulations and avoid attempting unauthorized access through VPNs.
Uphold Alternatives
If you are exploring alternatives to Uphold in the US where it’s unavailable, BYDFI, a notable cryptocurrency, offers users ample opportunities for exceptional services. Read out our detailed BYDFI review for further insights about the platform.
Alternatively, if you live outside the US consider BTCC stands as a reliable option with low fees and substantial trading volume. Check out our comprehensive BTCC review for additional details.
Bottom Line
Uphold works smoothly for users in supported regions, and it remains a reliable choice for managing digital assets. If it is available in your country, you can explore the platform more deeply through our complete Uphold review.
If your region is restricted, you still have practical options. Instead of stopping your trading plans, you can look into our list of the best Uphold alternatives and choose a platform that fits your location and trading style. The aim is to help you find a setup that works without unnecessary complications.
FAQs
1. Is Uphold available in the US?
Uphold is available in the United States, serving residents across various states except for the Virgin Islands. The platform adheres to state-specific regulations, holding licenses such as the Money Transmission License in Alabama and Money Transmitter License in Arizona.
2. Is Uphold available in Canada?
Yes, Uphold is available in Canada. However, users must acknowledge and accept the associated risks outlined in the Uphold Canada – Platform Risk Statement. Uphold is actively pursuing registration and exemptive relief under Canadian securities laws, with ongoing applications. Notably, there is no guarantee of approval, and in the absence of granted relief, Uphold’s services may be subject to modifications or withdrawal.
3. Is Uphold available in the UK?
Yes, Uphold is available in the United Kingdom. Residents of the UK can access and use Uphold’s services, including crypto asset trading. Before signing up, users are advised to carefully read and understand the terms and conditions outlined in the User Agreement, recognizing the high-risk nature of crypto asset investments and the need to evaluate potential economic risks.
4. Does Uphold Require KYC?
Yes, Uphold requires Know Your Customer (KYC) verification. During the account creation process, users are prompted to provide identification and a selfie to ensure authenticity. This verification helps Uphold maintain a secure platform and guarantees a quick and hassle-free process for users.
