If you've spent more than five minutes in the crypto world, you know the name Binance. It's the giant. The king of liquidity. But if you live in the United States, trying to use it feels a bit like trying to order a secret menu item at a restaurant that might not actually have the ingredients.
Honestly, it's confusing.
You go to Binance.com and get a big pop-up telling you to go away. You hear people talking about VPNs, but then you hear about accounts getting frozen. Then there is Binance.US, which looks the same but... isn't.
Let's get one thing straight right now: Binance.com and Binance.US are two completely different companies. They share a name and some tech, but if you're standing on American soil, the "main" Binance is technically off-limits. Using it via a VPN is basically asking for your funds to be locked in digital purgatory.
Here is how you actually navigate this mess in 2026 without losing your shirt or your sanity.
How to Use Binance in the US Without Getting Flagged
The only "official" way to do this is through Binance.US. It was launched specifically to keep the lawyers at the SEC happy. It doesn't have 600+ coins like the global version, and it doesn't let you play with 100x leverage (which is probably for the best if we're being real).
But it works. Mostly.
Currently, Binance.US is available in most of the country, but there are still holdouts. If you live in New York, Texas, Vermont, Alaska, Maine, or Hawaii, you're still out of luck. These states have their own "BitLicense" or money transmitter rules that make it a nightmare for the exchange to operate there. If you're in one of those spots, you'll likely see a "service restricted" message the second you finish your KYC.
The "Crypto-Only" State Reality
Something most people don't realize is that even in "supported" states, your experience might be different. Because of the ongoing fallout from the SEC battles and banking shifts in early 2025, some states are "crypto-only."
This means you can't just link your Chase or Wells Fargo account and buy Bitcoin with a click. Instead, you have to:
- Send crypto from another wallet (like a MetaMask or a Coinbase account).
- Use the "Top Up" feature to buy USDT (Tether) through third-party partners.
- Trade that USDT for whatever you actually want.
It's an extra step. It’s annoying. But it’s the reality of the US regulatory landscape right now.
Setting Up Your Account (The KYC Gauntlet)
You can't just sign up with an email and start trading anymore. Those days are dead and buried. To use Binance in the US, you have to prove exactly who you are.
The "Know Your Customer" (KYC) process is pretty intense. You’ll need a valid US Driver’s License or a Passport. And no, a picture of a paper temporary ID won't cut it. They want the real deal. You’ll also have to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) or ITIN.
Expect to do a "liveness check" too. This involves the app asking you to rotate your head or blink at your front-facing camera like a confused bird. It’s to make sure you aren't a high-res printout of someone else's face.
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A quick tip on Address Verification: Binance.US is incredibly picky about P.O. Boxes. They won't accept them. You need a physical residential address. If the address on your ID doesn't match where you actually live, keep a utility bill or a bank statement (issued in the last 90 days) ready as a PDF. Note that they often reject screenshots of phone bills; they want the full, official document.
What Can You Actually Trade?
On the global site, you can find every obscure "dog-themed" coin launched ten minutes ago. On Binance.US, the list is much shorter—around 150 to 200 assets depending on the month.
You’ll find the big players:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- Solana (SOL)
- BNB (The exchange's native token, which you should hold a little of to get a 25% discount on fees).
What you won't find are the high-risk derivatives. No futures. No massive leverage. If you're looking to bet $100 to make $10,000 on a 50x long position, Binance.US is not the place for you. It's built for spot trading—buying the actual asset and holding it.
The Fee Structure: Why People Stick Around
Even with all the restrictions, people use Binance.US because the fees are genuinely hard to beat. While some major US exchanges will charge you 1% or even 3% for a simple "Buy" order, Binance.US often has 0% maker fees on certain tiers or pairs.
Basically, if you aren't in a rush and you use the "Advanced Trade" tab to set a limit order, you can often trade for almost nothing. If you use their "Convert" feature (the "easy" button), you’ll pay a spread. It’s the classic "convenience tax."
Is It Safe After the SEC Lawsuits?
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. The SEC sued Binance, and there was a massive settlement involving billions of dollars and the departure of the former CEO, Changpeng Zhao (CZ).
By 2026, things have stabilized significantly. A joint motion in early 2025 signaled a shift toward a more structured regulatory path. The "wild west" era is mostly over. Your funds are held 1:1, meaning they actually have the Bitcoin you bought. They also use the "Secure Asset Fund for Users" (SAFU), which is essentially an emergency insurance fund.
However, "safe" is relative in crypto. Always remember: Not your keys, not your coins. If you aren't actively trading, move your assets to a hardware wallet like a Ledger or Trezor.
Actionable Next Steps for US Users
If you are ready to get started, don't just wing it. Follow this flow to avoid getting your account flagged or your funds stuck:
- Check Your State Eligibility: If you're in NY, TX, VT, HI, ME, or AK, stop now. You'll just waste your time on KYC only to be rejected. Look into decentralized exchanges (DEXs) like Uniswap instead.
- Gather Your Docs: Have your physical ID (Real ID compliant) and your SSN ready. If your ID address is old, download a PDF of your most recent electric or water bill.
- Enable 2FA Immediately: Use an app like Google Authenticator or a hardware key like Yubikey. Do not rely on SMS 2FA; it’s vulnerable to SIM swapping, and Binance.US is a high-value target for hackers.
- Test the Plumbing: Don't move your life savings in on day one. Send $20 worth of SOL or LTC to the platform. Make a trade. Try to withdraw it. Make sure the "pipes" work for your specific bank and state before going big.
- Buy a Little BNB: Even if you don't like the coin, keeping $20 worth in your account to cover trading fees will save you a lot of money over hundreds of trades.
Binance in the US is a watered-down version of the global beast, but for most traders, it provides the best balance of low fees and deep liquidity available in the American market. Just play by their rules, keep your KYC updated, and never, ever try to "trick" the system with a VPN—they're better at catching you than you are at hiding.