For American crypto traders, looking at the global market feels like staring through a glass wall. You see the deep liquidity, the massive altcoin selection, and the 100x leverage on Bybit, but you are legally barred from touching it.
The question of accessing Bybit from the US used to have a simple answer: just mask your IP. But in 2025, that strategy is a trap. Since Bybit enforced mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols in May 2023, attempting to bypass their firewall doesn’t just risk a ban—it risks total capital loss.
This guide cuts through the dangerous, outdated advice found on Reddit. We will explain the reality of Bybit’s enforcement and, most importantly, reveal the winning strategy for 2025: how to repurpose your premium VPN to unlock superior, decentralized alternatives that offer the same high-performance trading experience without the risk of frozen funds.
Is Bybit Available in the USA?
The short and direct answer is No.
Bybit explicitly lists the United States as a “Service Restricted Country.” According to Section 11.3 of Bybit’s Service Agreement, the platform does not offer services to users in “Excluded Jurisdictions.” This list is not limited to the US; it also includes the United Kingdom, Canada (specifically Quebec and Ontario), Singapore, and Mainland China.
The “Geo-Block” Reality
When you attempt to access Bybit from a US IP address, the site will either fail to load or present a “Restricted Jurisdiction” warning. While a VPN can bypass this initial technical barrier, it cannot bypass the legal and identity barriers that Bybit has erected in recent years.
Why Is Bybit Banned in the US?
Many traders ask, “Why is Bybit banned in the US?” The answer lies in the conflict between offshore crypto innovation and strict US financial protection laws.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have aggressive requirements for any platform offering derivatives (futures and options) to US citizens. To operate legally, Bybit would need to register as a Futures Commission Merchant (FCM).
Registration would force Bybit to:
- Limit leverage (likely to 50:1 or lower, compared to the 100x currently offered).
- Delist huge swathes of altcoins deemed “unregistered securities.”
- Report all user transaction data to the IRS.
Rather than neutering their product to fit US regulations, Bybit has chosen to simply exit the US market entirely. This allows them to continue offering high-leverage products to the rest of the world while remaining compliant with their own regulators in jurisdictions like Dubai and Cyprus.
Can I Use Bybit in the US With a VPN?
Technically, yes. If you turn on a VPN and select a server in a non-restricted country (like Mexico, Switzerland, or Poland), the Bybit website will load, and you can click the “Sign Up” button.
However, the question isn’t “Can I use Bybit in the US?”—it’s “Can I withdraw my money if I get caught?”
The “VPN Trap”
In the “Golden Era” of crypto (pre-2023), you could sign up with an email address, trade, and withdraw up to 2 BTC per day without ever showing an ID. That era is over.
Today, relying solely on a VPN is a dangerous game. If your VPN connection drops for a split second while you are logged in, your real US IP address is exposed to Bybit’s security systems. This often triggers an automatic account freeze.
Once frozen, you will be asked to verify your identity to unlock your funds. If you cannot produce a passport from a supported country, your assets effectively become a donation to the exchange.
The “KYC Wall”: Why VPNs Are No Longer Enough
The most critical update for US traders occurred on May 8, 2023. On this date, Bybit enforced Mandatory Identity Verification (KYC Level 1) for all products and services.
Previously, KYC was only required for high-volume withdrawals. Now, you cannot even deposit funds or open a trade without first uploading a government-issued ID and a selfie.
What This Means for US Citizens:
- US Passports are Rejected: If you upload a US driver’s license or passport, the system will instantly flag you as a restricted user and close your account.
- No “Non-KYC” Tier: There is no longer a “limit” you can trade under without ID. The limit is zero.
- The “Residency” Loophole is Closed: Even if you are a US citizen living abroad, you often cannot use Bybit unless you have a valid ID card from your country of residence.
Warning: Do not buy “verified” accounts from third parties on Telegram or Discord. These are often recovered by the original owner or flagged for fraud, leading to a total loss of capital.
The Best Bybit Alternatives for US Citizens (2025)
If you are sitting in the US wanting to trade perps and use leverage, you have viable options that don’t involve risking a ban. The market has bifurcated into Regulated/Safe options and DeFi/Degen options.
1. Coinbase Advanced (The “White Hat” Solution)
For years, Coinbase was just for spot buying. That changed with the launch of Coinbase Advanced Futures.
- Status: Fully Regulated (CFTC).
- Leverage: Up to 10x on “Nano” Bitcoin and Ether contracts.
- Why it wins: You can legally trade with leverage using USD. There is no risk of the FBI seizing the domain or your funds getting frozen.
- The Catch: Leverage is capped much lower than Bybit (10x vs 100x), and they strictly report to the IRS.
2. Apex Omni / Apex Pro (The “Bybit Lite” DEX)
If you miss the Bybit interface, Apex Omni is the closest experience you can get. It is a Decentralized Exchange (DEX) incubated by Bybit’s investment arm.
- Status: Decentralized (No KYC).
- Leverage: Up to 50x-100x.
- Why it wins: It uses a familiar order-book interface that looks exactly like a CEX. Because it is non-custodial (you trade from your wallet), there is no identity verification required.
- US Access: While technically restricted in the US terms of service, enforcement is generally limited to IP blocking on the frontend. Many US users access this via VPN successfully because there is no KYC wall to stop them.
3. Hyperliquid (The “Degen” Favorite)
Hyperliquid has rapidly become the premier destination for on-chain perpetual trading.
- Status: Decentralized L1 Blockchain.
- Performance: Extremely fast, feeling like a centralized exchange.
- Risk: Hyperliquid has implemented strict geo-blocking for US IP addresses. If you access the site from a US IP, it may block you from trading.
- Verdict: Excellent liquidity and UX, but requires strict VPN discipline (similar to the old Bybit days) to avoid frontend blocks.
4. Kraken Pro (The Institutional Choice)
Kraken offers excellent margin trading, but there is a major hurdle for US retail traders.
- Status: Regulated.
- Requirement: To access margin/futures in the US, you must self-certify as an Eligible Contract Participant (ECP).
- The Hurdle: This generally requires you to have $10 million in assets.
- Verdict: Great if you are a whale; useless if you are a standard retail trader.
Why You Still Need a “Crypto-First” VPN for DeFi
While we strongly advise against using a VPN to bypass Bybit’s KYC (due to the high risk of frozen funds), a premium VPN remains a mandatory tool for the modern US crypto trader—specifically for accessing Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs).
Platforms like Hyperliquid, Apex Omni, and dYdX do not require you to upload a passport, but they frequently employ “Frontend Geo-blocking.” This means if their website detects a US IP address, it will prevent the trading interface from loading to comply with US regulations.
To access these liquidity pools reliably, you need a VPN that prioritizes obfuscation over simple speed.
We recommend BearVPN because:
- Obfuscated Servers: It disguises your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic, preventing sensitive exchange firewalls from detecting that you are using a proxy.
- Strict Kill Switch: If your connection flickers for even a second, cuts your internet access instantly. This prevents your “Real” US IP from leaking to the exchange, which could otherwise trigger a geofence block.
- No-Log Policy: Essential for financial privacy, ensuring your trading activity remains your own.
Here’s how to use BearVPN:
Connect to a server in a crypto-friendly jurisdiction like Switzerland, Poland, or Mexico via before loading the DEX interface. This effectively unlocks the “Bybit-like” trading experience without the risk of identity verification demands.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering “Can I use Bybit in the US?” The short answer is no. Since the 2023 KYC mandate, the door to direct access has fully closed. Trying to force it now puts your funds and your identity at real risk.
A smarter move is to shift your strategy:
- For legal, bank-connected leverage: Use Coinbase Advanced. It offers up to 10× leverage and gives you peace of mind because you’re trading within U.S. regulations.
- For high leverage and altcoins: Use a VPN (set to Switzerland or Mexico) to access Apex Omni or Hyperliquid. These platforms deliver the “Bybit-style” experience on-chain without requiring a physical ID.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Using a VPN to bypass financial regulations may violate Terms of Service and local laws. Always prioritize the safety of your funds.
FAQ: Using Bybit in the US
Q: Can I use Bybit if I am a US citizen traveling abroad?
Generally, no. Bybit requires KYC. If you only possess a US passport, you will likely fail verification regardless of your physical location, as US citizens are banned globally by the platform.
Q: Does Bybit report to the IRS?
Bybit does not directly send 1099 forms to the IRS like Coinbase does. However, they comply with global anti-money laundering (AML) requests. If a US agency formally requests data on a specific user suspected of a crime, Bybit will cooperate.
Q: What is the best VPN for Bybit alternatives?
To access decentralized alternatives like Apex or Hyperliquid, you need a VPN with obfuscated servers and a Kill Switch. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the industry standards. A “Kill Switch” is mandatory—it cuts your internet if the VPN drops, preventing your true US IP from leaking to the exchange.
Q: Are there any no-KYC crypto exchanges left for US users?
Centralized exchanges with no KYC are disappearing fast. Platforms like MEXC and BingX historically allowed it, but have recently tightened restrictions or banned US IPs. The only true “No-KYC” option remaining in 2025 is DeFi (Decentralized Finance) protocols.
