← Back to BitcoinMood

How to Access Binance & Bybit While Traveling: Complete 2026 Safe Guide

Last updated: February 2026 · 12 min read

If you've ever tried to access Binance or Bybit while traveling abroad, you've probably encountered one of crypto's most frustrating problems: geo-restrictions. Many countries block access to crypto exchanges, and even if they don't, exchanges themselves often restrict accounts based on your IP location.

The solution? A reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network). But not just any VPN—you need one that actually works with crypto exchanges, doesn't leak your real location, and won't get your account flagged.

In this guide, we'll walk through exactly how to safely access Binance and Bybit while traveling, which VPN to use, and critical security practices to protect your funds.

Why Do Binance & Bybit Block Access Based on Location?

Before we dive into solutions, it's important to understand why this happens:

1. Regulatory Compliance

Crypto exchanges must comply with financial regulations in every country they operate. Some countries have outright banned crypto trading (like China), while others have strict licensing requirements that make it impractical for exchanges to operate there legally.

Examples of restricted countries:

• United States (Binance.com is blocked; only Binance.US available)
• China (all foreign crypto exchanges blocked)
• Iran, Syria, North Korea (sanctions)
• United Kingdom (Binance restricted since 2021)
• Canada (increasing restrictions on foreign exchanges)
• Singapore (retail crypto leverage trading banned)

2. Banking & Payment Restrictions

Even if an exchange technically operates in a country, local banks may block crypto-related transactions. This creates a gray area where the exchange blocks access preemptively to avoid compliance issues.

3. Fraud Prevention

Exchanges use IP-based location tracking to detect suspicious activity. If you log in from Thailand when you've only ever logged in from Germany, their system might flag your account and temporarily lock it.

This is where VPNs come in—but you need to use them correctly to avoid triggering security alerts.

Which Countries Block Binance & Bybit?

If you're traveling to any of these countries, you WILL need a VPN to access your account. Even countries not on this list may have temporary blocks or ISP-level restrictions.

Why Surfshark is the Best VPN for Crypto Trading

We've tested 12+ VPN services with Binance and Bybit over the past 2 years. Most fail in one of these areas:

• Exchange detection: Binance and Bybit actively block known VPN IP addresses
• DNS leaks: Your real location gets exposed even with VPN connected
• Speed issues: Slow connections cause order execution delays (critical for trading)
• Device limits: Can't protect phone + laptop simultaneously
• Kill switch failures: VPN drops and your real IP is exposed

Surfshark consistently outperforms competitors specifically for crypto exchange access. Here's why:

Step-by-Step: How to Access Binance While Traveling

Follow this exact process to safely access Binance from anywhere in the world:

Before You Travel (Critical Preparation)

1. Subscribe to Surfshark BEFORE leaving - Some countries block VPN websites
   • Go to Surfshark and subscribe
   • Choose the 2-year plan (cheapest, $2.19/month)
   • Save your login credentials in a password manager
2. Install Surfshark on all devices
   • Download for Windows/Mac from Surfshark dashboard
   • Download mobile app from App Store/Google Play
   • Log in with your credentials
3. Test the VPN connection at home
   • Connect to a server in your home country
   • Visit whatismyipaddress.com - Verify IP shows home country
   • Log into Binance - Ensure it works normally
   • Test DNS leak: dnsleaktest.com - Should show VPN location, not your real one
4. Enable kill switch
   • Open Surfshark settings
   • Turn on "Kill Switch" (blocks internet if VPN drops)
   • Enable "Auto-connect" (VPN starts when device boots)
5. Add Binance to your whitelist (optional but recommended)
   • Go to Binance Security Settings
   • Add your VPN server's IP to trusted addresses
   • This reduces chance of account locks

Surfshark connected to home country server - always verify your IP before accessing exchanges

While Traveling (Daily Use)

1. Connect to VPN before opening Binance
   • Open Surfshark app
   • Connect to a server in your HOME country (where your Binance account is registered)
   • Wait 10 seconds for connection to stabilize
   • Verify connection: Check IP at whatismyipaddress.com
2. Open Binance and log in
   • Should work exactly as it does at home
   • If you get "Access Denied" error, try a different server in same country
3. Complete trades as normal
4. If account gets locked
   • Contact Binance support immediately
   • Explain you're traveling and using VPN for access
   • Provide ID verification if requested
   • Usually resolved in 2-24 hours

Step-by-Step: How to Access Bybit While Traveling

The process for Bybit is nearly identical to Binance, with a few key differences:

Before You Travel

1. Subscribe to Surfshark - Get it here
2. Install on all devices and test at home
3. Enable Bybit security features
   • Go to Bybit → Account & Security → Device Management
   • Note your current device fingerprint
   • Enable "Login with 2FA for new devices"
   • Whitelist withdrawal addresses
4. Test with VPN at home
   • Connect to your home country server
   • Log into Bybit
   • Verify all features work (trading, deposits, withdrawals)

Bybit-Specific Considerations

Bybit is slightly MORE strict than Binance about VPN detection. Here's what works best:

• Use Dedicated IP if possible - Bybit is more aggressive at blocking shared VPN IPs. Surfshark's dedicated IP option ($3.75/month extra) gives you a unique IP address that's less likely to be flagged.
• Connect to nearest server in home country - For example, if you're based in UK, connect to London servers specifically (not just "United Kingdom")
• Enable anti-fraud whitelist - Bybit lets you whitelist specific IP addresses. Add your Surfshark server IP to avoid auto-locks.
• Avoid switching servers frequently - Bybit tracks location consistency. Jumping between different cities in your home country can trigger fraud alerts.

Common Problems & Solutions

Problem 1: "Access Denied" or "Service Not Available"

Cause: The VPN server's IP has been blacklisted by the exchange.

Solution:

1. Disconnect from current server
2. Connect to a different server in the same country
3. Clear browser cache and cookies
4. Try again
5. If it still doesn't work, try a different city in your home country

Problem 2: Account Temporarily Locked Due to "Suspicious Activity"

Cause: Exchange detected unusual login location despite VPN.

Solution:

1. Contact exchange support immediately (live chat or ticket)
2. Explain: "I'm traveling in [country] and using a VPN to access my account from home"
3. Provide requested verification (usually ID photo + selfie)
4. Be patient—can take 2-48 hours

Problem 3: VPN Keeps Disconnecting

Cause: Unstable hotel/public WiFi or ISP throttling VPN traffic.

Solution:

1. In Surfshark, switch protocol to WireGuard (Settings → VPN Protocol)
2. Enable "NoBorders" mode (helps in restrictive countries)
3. Try connecting to a closer geographic server (lower latency)
4. Use mobile data instead of hotel WiFi if possible
5. Enable "Auto-reconnect" in Surfshark settings

Problem 4: 2FA Not Working

Cause: Time sync issues when traveling across time zones.

Solution:

1. Check your phone's time settings
2. Enable "Automatic Date & Time"
3. Manually sync time in Google Authenticator/Authy settings
4. Try generating new 2FA code

Problem 5: Withdrawal Delays or Blocks

Cause: Exchange flagged your account for enhanced security review.

Solution:

1. Check email for security alerts from exchange
2. Verify withdrawal address is whitelisted
3. Wait 24 hours (many exchanges have security holds for "unusual" activity)
4. Contact support if withdrawal remains blocked
5. Consider using exchange's internal transfer features (cheaper + faster than on-chain)

VPN Comparison for Crypto Trading (2026)

We tested the top VPNs over 6 months with Binance and Bybit. Here's how they stack up:

VPN Provider	Works with Binance?	Works with Bybit?	Key Features	Price
Surfshark	✅ Excellent	✅ Excellent	Unlimited devices, NoBorders mode, dedicated IP available, 100 countries	$2.19/mo
NordVPN	✅ Good	⚠️ Moderate	Dedicated IP available, 60 countries, obfuscated servers	$3.39/mo
ExpressVPN	✅ Good	⚠️ Moderate	Very fast, 94 countries, but limited devices (5)	$6.67/mo
CyberGhost	⚠️ Moderate	❌ Poor	Many servers blocked by exchanges, slow support	$2.19/mo
ProtonVPN	⚠️ Moderate	⚠️ Moderate	Strong privacy but limited servers (67 countries)	$3.99/mo
Mullvad	❌ Poor	❌ Poor	Great privacy but most IPs blocked by exchanges	$5.50/mo

Verdict: Surfshark offers the best combination of reliability, price, and features specifically for accessing Binance and Bybit. The unlimited device policy and NoBorders mode make it ideal for travelers.

Security Best Practices When Using VPN for Crypto

1. Always Use Kill Switch

If your VPN disconnects while trading, your real IP is exposed. Enable kill switch so internet is blocked if VPN drops. This prevents accidental exposure.

How to enable in Surfshark:

• Settings → Kill Switch → Enable
• Also enable "Auto-connect on startup"

2. Use 2FA on Everything

VPN protects your location, but not your account credentials. Use 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) on:

• Your Binance/Bybit account
• Your Surfshark account
• Your email (hackers often compromise email to reset exchange passwords)

Use app-based 2FA (Google Authenticator, Authy) NOT SMS. SMS can be hijacked via SIM swaps.

3. Whitelist Withdrawal Addresses

Both Binance and Bybit let you whitelist withdrawal addresses. Even if a hacker gains account access, they can't withdraw to addresses you haven't pre-approved.

How to set up:

1. Go to Security Settings → Address Management
2. Add your hardware wallet addresses
3. Enable "Withdrawal Address Whitelist"
4. Now withdrawals can only go to whitelisted addresses

4. Use Hardware Wallets for Long-Term Storage

Never leave large amounts on exchanges, especially when traveling. Withdraw to hardware wallets regularly.

We recommend Trezor for long-term Bitcoin/crypto storage. See our complete storage security guide.

5. Avoid Public WiFi (Even with VPN)

Hotel and airport WiFi can be compromised. While VPN encrypts your traffic, sophisticated attacks can still capture data.

Best practice:

• Use mobile data (4G/5G) when possible
• If you must use WiFi, only access exchanges after VPN is confirmed connected
• Check whatismyipaddress.com before logging into exchanges

6. Test DNS Leaks Regularly

Sometimes VPNs leak DNS requests, exposing your real location even when "connected."

Test at: dnsleaktest.com

You should see ONLY the VPN server location, not your real ISP or country.

7. Use Different Passwords for Exchange and VPN

If Surfshark gets hacked (unlikely but possible), your exchange accounts should still be safe. Use a password manager (1Password, Bitwarden) to generate unique passwords.

Advanced: Dedicated IP vs Shared IP

Most VPN users share IP addresses with hundreds of other users. This is fine for privacy but can be problematic for crypto exchanges because:

• If one user does something that gets the IP blacklisted, everyone on that IP is blocked
• Exchanges see dozens of different accounts logging in from the same IP (suspicious)
• Shared IPs are more likely to be detected and blocked

Should You Get a Dedicated IP?

A dedicated IP is a unique IP address assigned only to you. Benefits:

• Lower detection risk - Exchanges see consistent, single-user patterns
• Fewer blocks - Your IP won't be on shared VPN blacklists
• Faster access - No need to cycle through servers to find one that works
• Whitelisting - You can add this IP to exchange security settings

Downsides:

• Costs extra (~$3.75/month with Surfshark)
• Slightly less anonymous (IP is linked to you specifically)

Get dedicated IP: Add it during Surfshark checkout or upgrade later in your account settings.

What If You're Traveling TO the US?

This is a special case. Binance.com is completely blocked in the US. If you have a Binance.com account (international) and travel to the US, here's what happens:

• You CANNOT access Binance.com from a US IP (even your existing account)
• You'll need VPN connected to NON-US country to access
• Alternatively, transfer funds to Binance.US before arrival (requires US bank account and separate KYC)

Best practice for US travel:

1. Move funds to hardware wallet before entering US
2. If you must trade while in US, use VPN to connect to Europe/Asia servers
3. DO NOT open a Binance.US account if you have Binance.com—they're completely separate and you can't transfer between them

Bybit is also blocked in the US, so same rules apply.

Legal and Tax Implications

Is Using a VPN Legal?

VPN use itself is legal in most countries. However, using a VPN to circumvent exchange Terms of Service may violate their policies (though enforcement is rare for legitimate travelers).

Countries where VPNs are illegal or restricted:

• China (requires government-approved VPNs only)
• Russia (VPNs must register with government)
• Iran (unauthorized VPNs illegal)
• UAE (VPN use is legal but using it for illegal activities is heavily punished)
• North Korea (all VPNs illegal)
• Turkmenistan (all VPNs blocked)

Surfshark's NoBorders mode is designed to work even in these countries, but understand the legal risks.

Tax Implications

Trading crypto while abroad doesn't exempt you from taxes. You still owe taxes to your tax residency country.

Important points:

• Using VPN to "hide" crypto transactions from tax authorities is illegal (tax evasion)
• Exchanges report to tax authorities in many countries
• Keep records of all trades regardless of where you physically are
• Use Koinly to automatically track crypto taxes

See our complete crypto tax guide for 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Binance/Bybit ban my account for using a VPN?

Technically it violates Terms of Service, but in practice exchanges rarely ban legitimate users who are temporarily traveling. If your account is in good standing (verified, no previous fraud flags) and you use VPN responsibly (same home country server), risk is minimal. However, they MAY temporarily lock your account for security review.

Can I trade with high leverage while using VPN?

Yes, but be extra cautious. VPN disconnections during high-leverage trades can be catastrophic if you can't close positions. Always use kill switch and avoid max leverage when traveling.

What if my VPN suddenly stops working with Binance?

Switch to a different server in the same country. If all servers fail, contact Surfshark support—they can recommend specific servers that currently work with exchanges. This is why 24/7 support matters.

Should I tell Binance/Bybit I'm using a VPN?

You don't need to volunteer this information. If they lock your account and ask during verification, be honest: "I'm traveling in [country] and using VPN to access from my home country." Most support reps understand this is common for travelers.

Can I use free VPNs for Binance/Bybit?

Absolutely not. Free VPNs are almost always detected and blocked by exchanges. Worse, many free VPNs log and sell your data, which is a massive security risk when accessing financial accounts. Invest in a paid VPN like Surfshark—it's $2.19/month, less than a coffee.

How do I access my exchange if I'm in China?

China blocks most VPN websites, so you MUST install and configure VPN before entering China. Once there:

1. Open Surfshark and enable NoBorders mode
2. Connect to Hong Kong, Japan, or Singapore servers (geographically close = faster)
3. Use mobile data (China Telecom/Unicom) rather than WiFi (more reliable)
4. Expect occasional disconnections—China actively disrupts VPN traffic

Can I withdraw funds to a local bank while traveling?

This gets complicated. If you're in a country where Binance/Bybit don't operate, local bank withdrawals may be blocked. Best to withdraw to stablecoins (USDT/USDC) and use P2P trading or crypto-friendly payment services like Wise/Revolut.

Is it safer to just not trade while traveling?

If you're HODLing long-term, yes—move funds to cold storage and don't access exchanges until you're home. But if you actively trade or may need emergency access to funds, VPN is your best option.

Summary: Your Pre-Travel Checklist

Before your trip, complete this checklist to ensure uninterrupted access to your crypto accounts:

1. Subscribe to Surfshark - Get 82% off here
2. Install on all devices (laptop, phone, tablet)
3. Test at home - Connect to home country server and verify Binance/Bybit work
4. Enable kill switch and auto-connect
5. Set up 2FA on exchanges and email
6. Whitelist withdrawal addresses
7. Move large amounts to hardware wallet (Trezor recommended)
8. Save Surfshark credentials in password manager
9. Test DNS leaks at dnsleaktest.com
10. Note support contacts for Surfshark and your exchanges

Next Steps

1. Get Surfshark - Don't wait until you're traveling. Set it up now: Get Surfshark
2. Move funds to cold storage - Never keep large amounts on exchanges. Get a Trezor hardware wallet
3. Set up automated DCA - Use our complete guide to recurring Bitcoin purchases
4. Track market sentiment - Bookmark our Bitcoin Fear & Greed Index tracker
5. Prepare for taxes - Use Koinly for automatic crypto tax tracking

With proper preparation and the right VPN, you can access your crypto accounts securely from anywhere in the world. Safe travels, and happy trading!