If you live in the United States, searching for "binance" will direct you straight to binance.us, rather than the international version binance.com. This is because since 2019, Binance voluntarily stopped providing international version services to US users, and instead provides binance.us through an independently operated compliant company in the US (BAM Trading Services). This article clarifies the usage situation for US users, the differences between binance.us and the international version, and state restrictions. First, check if you can use binance.us; if so, register an account on the Binance Official Site; Android users can get the Binance Official APP, and Apple users can refer to the iOS Installation Guide.
Key Differences Between binance.com and binance.us
| Feature | binance.com (International Version) | binance.us (US Version) |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | Non-US Users | US Compliant Users |
| Operating Company | Binance Holdings Limited | BAM Trading Services |
| Registration Requirements | Email is sufficient, KYC increases limits | Must have US Identity + KYC |
| Supported Coins | 350+ | Around 150 (constantly changing) |
| Fiat Deposit | Global bank cards, wire transfers | ACH, Wire Transfer, Debit Card |
| Spot Trading | Supported | Supported |
| Futures / Derivatives | Supported | Not Supported |
| Margin / Financing | Supported | Not Supported |
| Launchpad / Launchpool | Supported | Not Supported |
| Staking | Supported | Partially Supported |
| NFT Marketplace | Supported | Not Supported |
Simply put, binance.us is a feature-limited compliant version, primarily to meet US regulatory requirements for cryptocurrency trading.
Which States Can Use binance.us
binance.us is not available in all states. As of early 2026, the unavailable states are:
- New York: Has the strictest BitLicense requirements, which binance.us does not hold.
- Texas: Subject to regulatory restrictions at times.
- Florida: Some services are restricted.
- Hawaii: Strict regulatory requirements.
- Louisiana: Previously restricted.
- Vermont: Previously restricted.
- Connecticut: Some features are restricted.
The specific situation of each state will change with regulatory dynamics. The address filled in during registration will be automatically detected, and users from unavailable states will not be able to complete KYC even if they register successfully.
Registration Process for US Users on binance.us
Step 1: Visit binance.us
Directly open binance.us, note the .us suffix. If you have previously registered on binance.com, these two accounts are independent, and you need to register anew on binance.us.
Step 2: Email Registration
Click "Sign Up" in the top right corner and fill in:
- Email (Gmail recommended)
- Password (at least 8 characters, including upper/lowercase letters and numbers)
- State of Residence (must be one of the "available states" not listed above)
After filling it out, a 6-digit email verification code will be sent; enter it to complete account creation.
Step 3: KYC Identity Verification
Complete KYC immediately after entering the account, which is a compliance requirement. You need to prepare:
- Last 4 digits of SSN (Social Security Number)
- Driver's License or Passport front and back photos
- Selfie Verification (Liveness detection)
- Residential Address (Must match the ID document)
Review time is usually 5-30 minutes. You can only start depositing and trading after the review is approved.
Step 4: Fiat Deposit
binance.us supports the following deposit methods:
- ACH Bank Transfer (Free, 3-5 business days to arrive)
- Wire Transfer ($15 fee, 1-2 business days)
- Debit Card (Approx. 4.5% fee, instant arrival)
ACH is recommended for beginners, as it is free and has high limits. Linking a bank account for the first time requires micro-deposit verification, which takes about 1-2 business days to complete.
Step 5: Start Trading
Once the deposit arrives, you can buy and sell cryptocurrencies on the "Trade" page. The trading interface of binance.us is simpler than the international version, lacking complex features like futures and margin, which actually makes it more user-friendly for beginners.
Common Pain Points for US Users
Pain Point 1: Fewer Coin Choices
binance.us supports around 150 coins, far fewer than the 350+ on the international version. Many newly launched coins and popular meme coins are not available on binance.us. If you want to trade these, you can only use other US compliant exchanges (Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini) or decentralized exchanges.
Pain Point 2: No Futures and Margin
The US SEC regulates cryptocurrency derivatives strictly, so binance.us does not have futures, options, or margin trading. US users who want to trade futures can only use CME futures (requiring a professional account) or use derivative platforms regulated by the US CFTC.
Pain Point 3: Fees are Slightly Higher than the International Version
The default spot trading fee on binance.us is 0.1%, and there is no BNB deduction discount (because BNB is not registered as a security in the US). Compared to the 0.075% fee after BNB deduction on the international version, US users pay slightly more.
Pain Point 4: Slow Fiat Withdrawals
Withdrawing to a bank account via the ACH channel takes 3-5 business days to arrive. Wire transfers are fast but charge $15. Local platforms like Coinbase are faster in this regard.
Alternative Options for US Users
If you feel binance.us is too restrictive, compliant alternatives for US users include:
| Platform | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Coinbase | Highest compliance, moderate coins, smooth fiat channels |
| Kraken | Veteran exchange, supports futures (in specific states) |
| Gemini | Focuses on compliance, available in New York |
| Crypto.com | Provides debit card cashback, rich coin selection |
| Robinhood Crypto | Integrated with stock accounts, simple and easy to use |
Each platform has different state restrictions and features, so it is recommended to compare and choose based on your state and needs.
About the International Version binance.com
Many US users ask: "Can I register on binance.com using a VPN or fake address?" It is not recommended, for three reasons:
- Violating Platform Terms: binance.com strictly prohibits use by US residents, and the account could be frozen at any time.
- Difficulty in Withdrawing Funds: Applying for unfreezing after an account is frozen requires providing identity proof, which will expose that you are a US resident, and funds may be permanently frozen.
- Tax Risks: The US IRS has strict tax reporting requirements for cryptocurrency trading, and bypassing compliant channels may lead to tax issues.
Honestly using binance.us is the safest way.
binance.us FAQ
Q: Is binance.us Binance?
binance.us is independently operated by BAM Trading Services and is a different legal entity from binance.com (Binance Holdings), but the trademark and some technology are licensed by Binance. You can understand it as a "Binance partner brand in the US".
Q: Can I use both binance.us and binance.com?
No. The terms of service of binance.com explicitly prohibit use by US residents. If you have ever held a US identity, it is recommended to only use binance.us to avoid your binance.com account being frozen.
Q: Is binance.us safe?
binance.us is regulated by the US FinCEN and registered as an MSB (Money Services Business). Funds are stored with cold and hot separation, and 95% of funds are kept in cold wallets. It also has third-party insurance, making its security compliant with US requirements.
Q: How do I download the mobile APP?
Apple users should search for "Binance.US" in the US App Store (note the US), and the developer is BAM Trading Services. Android users can search similarly on Google Play, or download the APK from the binance.us official website.
Q: Will the futures feature be restored in the future?
Unlikely in the short term. The US SEC's regulatory stance on cryptocurrency derivatives is very clear: only platforms with an FCM (Futures Commission Merchant) license can offer futures trading. It is very difficult for binance.us to obtain this license.
Q: Does it support tax reporting?
binance.us provides Tax Statements, which can be downloaded in CSV format and imported into tax software like TurboTax and CoinTracker. All spot trades and crypto-margined gains must be reported on Form 1040, and failing to report may result in IRS investigation.
Final Thoughts
The core rule for US users using Binance: use binance.us, do not try binance.com. Although it has fewer features, it is compliant, safe, and has clear taxation. If you need more coins or derivatives, you can use a combination of binance.us + another local platform (like Coinbase) to make up for it.