Uphold Restricted & Supported Countries [2026]

On this page

Uphold Restricted & Banned Countries

Uphold currently lists 135 restricted countries in our database:

Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Angola Anguilla Antarctica Armenia Aruba Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Benin Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Bouvet Island Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central African Republic Chad China Congo Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Ecuador Egypt Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Fiji Finland France Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Guam Guinea Guinea-Bissau Haiti Heard and McDonald Islands Honduras Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kosovo Latvia Lebanon Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Louisiana Luxembourg Mali Malta Mauritania Mexico Moldova Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Myanmar Nepal Netherlands Nicaragua Nigeria North Korea Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Philippines Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Romania Russia Samoa Senegal Serbia Sierra Leone Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Somalia South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Sweden Syria Tanzania Thailand Togo Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan U.S. Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vietnam Virgin Islands Wallis and Futuna Yemen Zimbabwe

Additionally, Uphold restricts 3 regions:

CrimeaFrench Southern TerritoriesNew York

The availability map is a visual summary. The same information is listed as text below: every country Uphold restricts is named, and any country not named is supported.

Restricted sub-national regions are listed separately below and not shaded on the map.

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.

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.

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.

Kraken

CEX · KYC
Spot taker
0.8%
Futures taker
0.05%
Assets
679
Max leverage
50×
Read review

Bybit

CEX · KYC
Spot taker
0.1%
Futures taker
0.055%
Assets
380
Max leverage
100×
Read review

Binance

CEX · KYC
Spot taker
0.1%
Futures taker
0.05%
Assets
507
Max leverage
150×
Read review

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.

Questions

FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.