Which Countries Does KuCoin Restrict?

According to the Kucoin Terms of Service Chapter 3 Registered Users; Article 17 (5), the platform keeps a list of 20 restricted areas. These jurisdictions are barred from accessing trading services to ensure adherence to global regulatory standards.

KuCoin Restricted Countries List in 2026

Review the table below for a list of restricted regions:

If you’re in a restricted region, you can still trade crypto on exchanges that don’t require KYC. Here’s a list of no-KYC platforms that accept users worldwide.

Why Does KuCoin Restrict These Countries?

KuCoin enforces geographic restrictions to comply with local financial laws and avoid legal penalties from powerful international regulators governing digital asset trading.

1. Regulatory Compliance and Licensing Requirements

Exchanges must follow strict licensing rules set by national authorities to protect investors from fraud while ensuring transparency within the financial system.

Key regulatory bodies enforcing these strict compliance requirements include:

• SEC & CFTC: The SEC and CFTC require platforms to register as exchanges or face heavy fines for offering unregistered securities to citizens.
• OSC & BCSC: The OSC and BCsc mandate that trading platforms obtain specific recognition as restricted dealers to operate within Canada's borders.
• MAS: The MAS enforces the Payment Services Act requiring digital token service providers to hold valid licenses for operating in Singapore.
• AMF & DNB: The AMF and DNB oversee strict registration processes to prevent unauthorized financial activities within France and the Netherlands.

2. Financial Sanctions and Geopolitical Restrictions

International trade bans and anti-money laundering protocols force platforms to block regions identified as high risk by various global financial monitoring organizations.

Factors leading to these geopolitical restrictions include these specific issues:

• OFAC Lists: The OFAC maintains lists of sanctioned countries and individuals, prohibiting any business dealings with entities in those specific jurisdictions.
• FATF Standards: The FATF sets global benchmarks for AML/KYC, requiring exchanges to exclude regions that fail to meet these essential security protocols.
• UN Mandates: The UN Security Council issues resolutions mandating member states to restrict financial flows to territories involved in conflict or terrorism.
• Local Prohibitions: Mainland China maintains a total ban on crypto transactions, forcing KuCoin to cease all operations to remain legally compliant.

KuCoin Supported Countries

KuCoin is accessible in 200+ regions, providing a full set of crypto products. Verified users across these regions can engage in spot trading, futures, and staking to maximize their digital asset returns within a secure, global ecosystem.

Recent data from Similarweb highlights a diverse user base, with India leading at 23.26% of traffic. Other global markets include the United States at 12.82% (despite restrictions), Hong Kong at 9.27%, Vietnam at 5.21%, and Indonesia at 3.53%.

Key Supported Regions

KuCoin focuses on high-growth markets by securing regional registrations and offering tailored financial products that meet the specific needs of local retail and institutional traders.

Review the list below for the primary supported regions in 2026:

• Europe: Serving verified residents in Germany, Spain, Greece, Ireland, and Slovenia through its MiCA-compliant licensing for the European Economic Area.
• Asia: Supporting massive markets in India, Kazakhstan, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam with specialized trading features and active local community support teams.
• Middle East and Africa: Providing full services in UAE, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Kenya to support rising demand for fiat-to-crypto on-ramps.
• Latin America: Maintaining active trading operations in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, and Chile by integrating popular local payment systems like Pix and Spei.

Language & Currency Support

The platform prioritizes global accessibility by localizing its interface and expanding its financial rails for a seamless user experience across different borders.

• Language Support: The platform provides a localized trading experience for a diverse international user base, with the interface available in 23 languages.
• Fiat Onramp Options: Users can facilitate direct deposits and withdrawals for assets like EUR, TRY, and AUD across 50+ supported fiat currency options.
• Payment Methods: The P2P marketplace enables secure transactions via Wise, Revolut, and Payoneer, supporting over 70 different local payment methods for flexibility.
• Customer Support: Dedicated teams deliver 24/7 technical assistance through a live chat system designed to handle high ticket volumes with prompt efficiency.

Is KuCoin Available in the USA?

KuCoin officially exited the US market in January 2025 following a $300 million settlement with the DOJ. The exchange pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business and agreed to a mandatory 2-year ban from serving any American residents.

Following the settlement, KuCoin disabled all login functions for verified US residents after the January 23, 2025 deadline. Currently, any remaining funds must be withdrawn through customer support, which requires a specific 30 USDT processing fee for these closed accounts.

While US traffic accounts for over 1/10th of the total, this volume largely stems from legacy API connections or users accessing the platform via VPNs. Regardless of this activity, the exchange maintains zero official operations and prohibits US identity verification.

KuCoin Licenses and Regulation

KuCoin adheres to global financial standards by securing regional licenses and high-level security certifications to ensure a compliant and protected trading environment.

Review the following list of active regulatory approvals and credentials:

• FMA MiCAR License: The Austrian FMA authorized KuCoin EU as a CASP, allowing fully compliant digital asset services across 29 EEA member states.
• FIU-IND Registration: KuCoin is registered with the FIU-IND as a VASP, ensuring compliance with India's AML/CFT standards and tax reporting requirements.
• AUSTRAC Registration: The AUSTRAC registry lists KuCoin as a Digital Currency Exchange, supporting secure AUD fiat on-ramps and local financial compliance.
• Global Security Standards: KuCoin maintains ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II certifications to protect user data through world-class information security and privacy controls.

However, regulators in stricter markets have flagged KuCoin for non-compliance. The Dutch Central Bank warned that the exchange was operating without proper registration, citing AML violations. The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) also placed KuCoin on its warning list, stating it was promoting services without authorization.

Does KuCoin Require KYC?

KuCoin mandates identity verification for all new users to comply with global anti-money laundering regulations and ensure the security of platform assets.

Verification Levels & Withdrawal Limits

Check the tiers below for specific limits and requirements:

Unverified (Restricted)

• Requirement: Basic account registration without submitting any formal identification documents.
• Daily Withdrawal Limit: Restricted to 30,000 USDT with no deposit access.
• Features: Only selling, closing positions, and redeeming existing assets.

Individual Verification (Standard)

• Requirement: Submit personal details, government-issued ID, and complete face verification.
• Daily Withdrawal Limit: Up to 999,999 USDT per rolling 24-hour period.
• Features: Full access to spot, futures, staking, and P2P.

Institutional Verification

• Requirement: Email official documents to the dedicated institutional support team.
• Daily Withdrawal Limit: Customized high-volume limits tailored for corporate entity requirements.
• Features: Corporate account management, sub-accounts, and priority technical support.

About KuCoin

KuCoin is a global cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2017 and headquartered in Victoria, Seychelles. The platform currently serves over 40 million users, providing a specialized environment for trading a massive catalog of more than 1,000 altcoins.

The platform's core offering focuses on high-liquidity spot markets, perpetual futures, and a native AI-driven trading bot ecosystem. Users utilize the KCS token to lower trading costs and access the KuCoin Earn suite, which provides diverse staking and lending yields tailored for both retail and institutional portfolios.

By the end of 2025, the exchange recorded $1.25 trillion in annual trading volume and initiated a $2 billion Trust Project to enhance asset transparency. It currently holds SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certifications, marking its shift toward a more rigorous, audit-heavy compliance model.

Final Thoughts

KuCoin’s accessibility depends entirely on your specific location and ability to complete the mandatory identification process. With the exit from the United States and new European licensing, the platform has traded wide availability for a more controlled, legally compliant framework.

For users in supported countries, the exchange provides one of the largest altcoin selections in the industry. However, residents in restricted zones must look toward decentralized alternatives or local platforms that operate within their regional legal boundaries.