Where is Binance available? Restricted countries and alternatives

Binance supported countries

Binance currently operates across more than 180 countries globally, serving 300+ million users. The list of supported jurisdictions has shifted significantly since 2023 as Binance has pursued formal licensing in more markets. Here’s a non-exhaustive snapshot of countries where Binance currently operates (either via the global platform or a locally licensed subsidiary):

• Africa: Nigeria, South Africa
• Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru (note: the US is served by the separate Binance.US entity)
• Asia & Pacific: Australia, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Japan (via the locally licensed Binance Japan), Kazakhstan, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam
• Europe: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France (via Binance France SAS, AMF-registered), Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (Bank of Spain-registered), Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, plus other EU markets covered under MiCA
• Middle East: Bahrain (licensed), Egypt, Israel, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (via Binance FZE, Dubai VARA-licensed)

This list is approximate and changes regularly. Always verify your specific country’s status on Binance’s official Licenses, Registrations and Other Legal Matters page before depositing funds.

On the Licenses, Registrations and Other Legal Matters page, you can see Binance’s full list of regulatory authorisations by country. That said, Binance does not publish a single definitive list of all the countries where it operates – the picture is regional and constantly evolving.

Historically, Binance operated in most countries by default unless a jurisdiction had explicitly blocked the exchange or imposed local-licensing requirements. That changed materially after 2022. Following the US Department of Justice settlement in November 2023 (a $4.3 billion fine and a guilty plea for AML and sanctions violations), Binance has been required to significantly tighten compliance. Many countries that previously had no formal Binance presence now host locally licensed Binance subsidiaries, while others have seen Binance withdraw entirely.

Key regulated entities Binance now operates through include:

• France: Binance France SAS, registered as a Digital Asset Service Provider (DASP) with the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), approved by the ACPR. France was the first major European country to grant Binance formal recognition in May 2022.
• Spain: registered with the Bank of Spain as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP).
• Italy: registered with the OAM (Organismo Agenti e Mediatori).
• UAE: Binance FZE, licensed by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).
• Bahrain: Binance Bahrain BSC (c), licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain.
• Japan: Binance Japan KK, registered with the Financial Services Agency (FSA).
• El Salvador, Argentina, Brazil, and several Asian markets: via locally registered subsidiaries.

Across the broader EU, Binance is also pursuing MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) authorisation following MiCA’s full entry into force in December 2024 – this is reshaping how Binance and other crypto exchanges serve European retail clients across the bloc.

Binance restricted countries

Some users have reported that Binance closed their accounts because they reside in unsupported jurisdictions – typically due to sanctions, regulatory blocks, or local licensing requirements that Binance hasn’t met.

According to Binance’s List of prohibited countries and ongoing regulatory updates, the following jurisdictions are currently prohibited or significantly restricted:

• United States: the global Binance.com platform is not available; US residents must use the separate Binance.US entity (which has reduced functionality and a more limited coin list)
• Canada: Binance fully exited Canada in May 2023 following new provincial securities-regulator requirements
• United Kingdom: Binance can no longer onboard new UK retail clients; the FCA has been highly restrictive of Binance’s UK operations since 2021
• Netherlands: Binance withdrew from the Netherlands in July 2023 after failing to secure a Dutch VASP registration
• Russia: Binance fully exited the Russian market in September 2023, selling its local business to CommEX
• Cuba, Iran, North Korea (DPRK), Syria, Crimea, and non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine: prohibited due to international sanctions (OFAC, UN Security Council)
• Malaysia: prohibited after a Securities Commission cease-and-desist order in 2021
• Singapore: Binance.com is restricted to new users; some institutional access available via licensed channels
• Belgium, Germany, Austria: partial restrictions on certain products (derivatives, lending, staking) under local regulatory requirements

Additionally, Binance protects itself by reserving the right to close any account at its sole discretion under its terms of use. This means accounts can be restricted, frozen, or closed at any time, particularly if you trigger compliance review flags (KYC issues, suspected jurisdiction violations, AML alerts). Always keep this in mind.

Binance has faced regulatory action across many jurisdictions since 2021, including the $4.3 billion US Department of Justice settlement in November 2023 for AML and sanctions violations. Common reasons for restrictions include:

• Lack of local licensing: in jurisdictions with formal crypto licensing requirements (UK FCA, Dutch DNB, Canadian provincial regulators), Binance hasn’t met the requirements or chose to exit rather than comply locally.
• AML and sanctions compliance: the DOJ settlement specifically cited Binance for facilitating transactions in sanctioned jurisdictions (Iran, Cuba, Syria, etc.) and inadequate AML controls. These compliance gaps drove withdrawals from multiple markets.
• Crypto derivatives restrictions: high-leverage crypto derivatives are restricted for retail investors in many jurisdictions (UK, EU under ESMA, Australia under ASIC), forcing Binance to limit or remove these products in specific markets.
• Consumer protection concerns: regulators in several countries (UK FCA, Dutch DNB, German BaFin) have flagged concerns about Binance’s risk disclosures, marketing practices, and lending/staking yield products.
• Stablecoin and asset listing rules: under MiCA (in force December 2024) and similar frameworks, exchanges must restrict trading on non-compliant stablecoins. Binance has had to delist or limit access to certain stablecoins (BUSD was wound down in 2024, certain USDT pairs restricted for EU retail).

Does Binance work in the US?

Yes, but only through a separate platform: Binance.US – a US-registered entity entirely distinct from the global Binance.com. The global platform is not available to US residents.

Binance launched its US operation in September 2019 as a separately incorporated entity, with only licensing of software, trademarks, and wallet technology shared between the two companies. While there are operational similarities, Binance.US differs meaningfully from the global brand in product range, liquidity, and regulatory status.

Since the SEC’s lawsuit against Binance.US in June 2023 and the $4.3 billion DOJ settlement in November 2023 (which affected the parent company), Binance.US has faced significant operational challenges – including the suspension of USD deposits and withdrawals through banking partners for an extended period in 2023-2024, before partial restoration in 2024-2025. The platform has gradually rebuilt its US dollar on/off-ramps but remains more constrained than during its 2020-2022 peak.

Binance.US services have specific state-level restrictions. As of 2026, Binance.US is generally not available to residents of the following states/territories:

• Alaska
• American Samoa
• Hawaii
• New York
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Texas
• US Virgin Islands
• Vermont

State availability can also change without notice – always check Binance.US’s terms of use and onboarding flow for the current list before signing up.

The most obvious difference between Binance and Binance.US is the number of digital assets supported. The global Binance.com platform offers 500+ cryptocurrencies, while Binance.US – as a FinCEN-registered Money Services Business operating under US securities-law constraints – offers a more limited selection (typically around 100-150 assets, with the list having contracted significantly since the SEC action).

Liquidity is also typically lower on Binance.US than on the global exchange, which can mean wider spreads on smaller pairs.

Binance worldwide alternatives

While Binance is often targeted for not adhering to financial regulations in areas where the exchange operates, several of its competitors are becoming more popular by the day. These exchanges offer similar services, affordable trading fees and are registered with applicable bodies.

If you are searching for Binance alternatives, here are a few trusted names:

Conclusion

Binance remains the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world by trading volume and user base, but it has faced significant regulatory pressure over the past few years – culminating in the November 2023 US Department of Justice settlement, the resignation of founder Changpeng Zhao, and the appointment of Richard Teng as CEO. The exchange has since been actively rebuilding its compliance posture, pursuing licensing in more jurisdictions (notably under MiCA across the EU), and migrating users to locally regulated subsidiaries where required.

While the company continues working with regulators to expand its global footprint, availability remains fragmented and changes regularly. If Binance isn’t available in your country, or if you’d prefer a different exchange, there are plenty of reputable alternatives.

For more options, check our review of the best crypto exchanges in Europe, or our broader global crypto exchange comparison.