Can you use Phemex in the US?

Phemex is a semi-centralized cryptocurrency exchange where users can buy and sell crypto assets. The platform, launched in 2019, is highly rated by many crypto investors thanks to its low fees, support for real-time spot trading, and user-friendly app, among other things.

Despite its popularity, Phemex isn’t available in the US due to regulatory restrictions. However, it hasn’t stopped American crypto traders from using Phemex. To unblock, you simply need a reliable VPN with servers in Phemex-friendly countries. It will mask your true location and encrypt your traffic making it seem as if you were outside the US.

In this article, I’ll guide you on how to access Phemex from restricted countries using a VPN and recommend reliable VPNs for unblocking crypto trading platforms. My team and I tested 22 crypto-focused VPNs to identify the best options for accessing Phemex smoothly.

Best Phemex VPNs: shortlist

Upon extensively researching 22 VPNs for privacy features, server availability, and unblocking capabilities, I handpicked top five that reliably bypass US Phemex restrictions and provide a secure and smooth trading experience. In my research, I also conducted speed tests and compared prices and deals each provider offers to help you find best value for money.

1. NordVPN

   Overall best VPN for Phemex US customers
   9.8
2. Surfshark VPN

   Advanced VPN to trade on Phemex in USA
   9.5
3. PrivateVPN

   Powerful VPN for Phemex transactions from US
   8.7
4. Bitdefender VPN

   Trusted Phemex US VPN with a free version
   8.2
5. TotalVPN

   Affordable Phemex VPN for secure crypto trading
   8.2

Why can’t you use Phemex in the US?

The US is notorious for having strict financial regulations. These laws are particularly stringent for crypto trading platforms, and they’re further complicated by the fact that some states have different rules. This is the underlying reason Phemex is currently unavailable in the country. But it’s not just Phemex; many other popular crypto platforms like Bybit and BitMEX are restricted in the US.

If you try to access Phemex from the US, you’ll get a pop-up notification saying, “At this time, Phemex cannot serve customers in your country.” Thankfully, there’s a way around this.

Online platforms use your IP address to determine your location. Think of an IP address like your digital home address. Your internet service provider assigns an IP address to your device, and all the websites you visit identify you by that IP.

A VPN can change your IP address, making it seem like you’re in a different country. So, if you connect to a VPN server in a country where Phemex is available, you can access the platform without any restrictions.

It’s important to use a secure and reliable VPN, especially when conducting financial transactions. Your internet traffic is routed through the VPN provider’s servers. So, if you don’t choose a trustworthy VPN service, your sensitive financial details could be exposed to unscrupulous parties.

Best Phemex VPNs in 2024

I tested 22 industry leading providers to find the best VPNs for Phemex. The five VPNs below successfully unblocked Phemex from the US and performed exceptionally well during my speed tests, earning a stamp of approval from me and VPNpro cybersecurity experts.

1. NordVPN — top Phemex US VPN with robust security toolkit

NordVPN is my top VPN for Phemex US customers, and crypto traders in other countries where the platform is restricted. With an impressive server fleet (6900 servers in 113 countries), NordVPN offers an intensive list of servers in Phemex legal jurisdictions: 80+ in Spain, 250+ in France, 190 + in Germany, 90+ in Italy. I had no problems unblocking Phemex from the US using its server in Barcelona.

NordVPN is regarded among industry’s fastest VPN providers, making it a top choice for crypto traders, gamers, and online streamers alike. When testing its Phemex unblocking capabilities, I achieved 90% of original speed retention using its proprietary WireGuard protocol.

When it comes to privacy and security, my advice is to combine NordLynx protocol with a kill switch, AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, and a dedicated IP (that you’ll share with no one). This way, you’ll get a speedy connection and unbreakable protection to keep your transactions and true location hidden. NordVPN provides dedicated IPs in Phemex-friendly Sweden and Germany. If you’d like an extra layer of security, NordVPN won’t disappoint: you can benefit from Threat Manager, Double VPN, obfuscated servers, split tunneling, and more.

In addition to its vast server network, speeds, and security, NordVPN is also renowned for its unblocking capabilities. Aside from excelling at beating Phemex restrictions, it effortlessly unlocks major sports streaming platforms (ESPN+, MLB.tv, Sky Sports, etc.) and entertainment musts like Netflix, Peacock, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.

NordVPN is quite affordable, too, starting at just $2.99/month for its 2-year plan. Plus, you get a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the service risk-free. If interested, check out its Coupons and Deals to save big on it.

For a deeper investigation of NordVPN, read our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark — powerful Phemex VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections

Surfshark is an excellent choice for unblocking Phemex in USA. Although it somewhat lags behind NordVPN, when it comes to server selection (3200 servers in 100 countries), Surfshark makes up for it with strong unblocking capabilities, Unlimited simultaneous connections, and stable fast connection speeds (thanks to WireGuard protocol). And it’s great value for money: starting at just $2.19/month for its 2-year plan.

Talking servers, it has quite a few in Phemex-friendly locations: 62 in Spain, 16 in Sweden, 76 in France. When I tested it for Phemex in the USA, Surfshark unblocked the crypto platform for me with ease. I used its Spanish server in Valencia and managed to retain 85% of the original connection speeds.

My tests proved that Surfshark’s speeds are comparable to NordVPN. Its fast speed means you can see real-time data on Phemex. It also has all the same security features you’d find on NordVPN, including AES-256 encryption, multiple VPN protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2), a kill switch and a strict no-logs policy. If you choose it for crypto trading, you can rest assured your transactions stay hidden thanks to its stealth protocols (Camouflage and NoBorders) and Nexus technology that further enhance privacy and allow for IP rotation.

One of the things that makes Surfshark stand out from other VPNs is that it supports Unlimited simultaneous connections, making it a go-to choice for large households and multitaskers.

Instead of testing it just for Phemex in USA, I also looked into its overall unblocking capabilities. All good in this area: it unblocks a number of Netflix country libraries (US, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan), Disney+, BBC iPlayers, and Max.

On top of being an affordable premium Phemex VPN, it comes with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee. So you can try it risk-free and get your money back if unsatisfied.

For a deeper investigation of Surfshark VPN, read our Surfshark VPN review.

3. PrivateVPN — privacy-first Phemex VPN for secure trading

PrivateVPN is a safe and reliable VPN for accessing blocked crypto platforms like Phemex from US. It has servers in France, Spain, Germany, Sweden and a few more Phemex legal jurisdictions in Europe and beyond. So picking an uncrowded server won’t be an issue.

As with previous VPNs on the list, I unblocked Phemex by connecting to a server in EU (in Paris, to be precise). The speed drop was more noticeable than with NordVPN or Surfshark (-19% of the original speed), yet still a comfortable enough connection to track data on Phemex in real-time. I strongly recommend connecting to nearest servers with this VPN, as my tests showed a more noticeable speed drop when connected to distant servers (up to -30%).

PrivateVPN comes with an array of security features, including AES-256 encryption, multiple VPN protocols (OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP), a kill switch, and a no-logging policy. So I wasn’t worried in the slightest that my data would leak when using it to access Phemex.

Along with testing its unblocking with Phemex, I checked what it has to offer when it comes to streaming geo-blocks. It smoothly unblocked Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max for me. And if we go beyond streaming, PrivateVPN is also a torrenting-friendly choice, thanks to its port forwarding support and robust SOCKS5 and Shadowsocks proxies.

If you’re on a budget, PrivateVPN is a good pick. It’s super affordable with prices starting at $2.00/month. You can try the VPN free for 7 days before making up your mind. And, if you need longer to decide, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If interested, check out its Coupons and Deals to get a hefty discount.

For a deeper investigation of PrivateVPN, read our PrivateVPN review.

4. Bitdefender VPN — solid Phemex VPN with a free version

Bitdefender is a reliable Phemex unblocking VPN with a free version. It is the product of a renowned antivirus company, and it upholds the same level of excellence we’ve come to expect from Bitdefender antivirus. It means your crypto transactions’ confidentiality is guaranteed. It has a wide selection of servers in Phemex legal jurisdictions across Europe, like Germany, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Portugal.

Out of its 4000 servers in 50 countries, I tested its Phemex unblocking powers by connecting to a server in Spain. Unblocking Phemex went smoothly. And I was genuinely impressed by connection speeds with WireGuard: around 19% drop from the baseline in download speeds, while upload speeds reduced just 12%. My advice: stick to the WireGuard protocol, as I experience much more noticeable drops with Catapult Hydra protocol (drop to 69% of the original upload speed).

While it doesn’t come bundled with Bitdefender antivirus, this VPN has an array of security features that make it worthy of being a standalone product. Besides using AES-256 encryption, Bitdefender VPN comes with an array of tunneling protocols, a kill switch, robust DNS leak protection, and a strict no-logs policy. If you want an extra layer of protection, try using its Double-hop feature to encrypt your connection through not one but two VPN servers.

Unfortunately, Bitdefender just doesn’t excel when it comes to streaming shows and sports. I successfully unblocked Netflix US, but had no luck with EU country libraries. BBC iPlayer was easily unblocked too, but not Amazon prime.

Bitdefender isn’t the cheapest VPN, but it’s priced competitively (the prices start at $2.92/month. Like the other VPNs I’ve highlighted above, Bitdefender VPN has a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of Bitdefender VPN, read our Bitdefender VPN review.

5. TotalVPN — affordable Phemex VPN with an antivirus

TotalVPN is a budget VPN that effectively unblocks Phemex from US and offers decent speeds. Unlike NordVPN and Surfshark, which have thousands of servers, TotalVPN has just over 50 servers in 35 countries. But that doesn’t take away from this VPN. During my tests, I successfully accessed Phemex using TotalVPN servers in Europe. While there’s a higher risk of server congestion with this VPN, I recommend changing servers if you start noticing slow speeds.

TotalVPN uses AES-256 encryption and trusted VPN protocols (Ikev2 and OpenVPN) to protect users’ data. It also has a kill switch. While it has a no-logs policy, it hasn’t been verified by an independent third party.

Created by the same minds behind the popular TotalAV antivirus, TotalVPN comes bundled with an award-winning antivirus. This somewhat makes up for its lack of advanced security features.

Another reason we like TotalVPN is that it’s cheaper than my Top #1-2 choices for Phemex in US: NordVPN and Surfshark. It’s a great choice for users on a tight–budget, priced at just $1.59/month. TotalVPN has a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For a deeper investigation of TotalVPN, read our TotalVPN review.

How I selected these Phemex VPNs?

I conducted multiple tests and took several factors into consideration when selecting the best VPNs for Phemex USA customers. Here’s an overview of some things I looked at when selecting the best Phemex VPNs:

• Unblocking capabilities: A VPN that is unable to unblock Phemex is useless if you’re trying to access the platform. I only selected VPNs that could successfully unblock Phemex during our tests.
• Server network: Phemex is not available everywhere in the world. So, I prioritized VPNs that have servers in countries where Phemex is available.
• Speed: No one enjoys slow internet, and it can be particularly frustrating when you’re viewing market data and trading crypto. I tested the speeds of different VPNs and picked the ones with the best speeds.
• Security: Security is important, especially when conducting financial transactions online and sharing sensitive data like passwords and crypto wallet keys. I critically assessed the security of each VPN I selected, ensuring they meet the minimum requirement for safety.
• Price: Everyone loves a good deal. So, I only selected VPNs that are affordable and offer the best performance.

Phemex restricted countries

Phemex is not available in some countries due to local rules and regulations. Below is a comprehensive list of countries and regions where Phemex is subject to restrictions:

Phemex supported countries

Phemex is supported in virtually every country not listed above. Although Phemex is unavailable in some countries like the US, users can still buy or sell crypto via wire transfer using Phemex’s over-the-counter service. And barring a few countries, Phemex users can also buy or sell crypto using credit/debit cards.

Here’s my personal shortlist of Phemex supported countries to help you select a VPN server to connect to when unblocking Phemex from US.

How can you use Phemex in the US with a VPN?

Accessing Phemex from the US and other restricted countries with a VPN is a straightforward process. We’ll walk you through the process with the step-by-step below:

1. Choose a VPN. I recommend using NordVPN or Surfshark.
2. Visit the VPN’s website to subscribe and create an account. We’ll use Surfshark for this illustration.
3. Download the Surfshark app and log in to your account. Surfshark has apps for all the major operating systems, including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux.
4. Connect to a server in a country where Phemex is available. We chose Spain.
5. Open a browser and visit the Phemex website. You should be able to access the platform without any restrictions.
6. Log in or create an account and start trading.

Phemex doesn’t work in the USA with a VPN: solutions

Are you having difficulties accessing Phemex from the US despite using a VPN? There are various reasons why this could be happening, but we’ll guide you to resolve it.

1. Try connecting to a different VPN server. The most common reason why Phemex may not be working is the VPN server you’re connected to is unstable, or it’s located in a country where Phemex is restricted.
2. Try opening Phemex in incognito mode on your browser. Some websites store cookies to identify users, and the cookies on Phemex’s site may have registered you as being in the US, where the service is unavailable. Visiting the site in private browsing mode should resolve this.
3. Contact your VPN provider and report the issue. It might be a technical issue on their side, for example, resulting from a recent app update. Leading VPN providers offer live 24/7 chat, so you’re likely to get it fixed in no time.

Can you use a free VPN for Phemex?

Technically, yes, you can use a free VPN to access Phemex, but we strongly advise against this for the following reasons:

• Safety risk: Many free VPNs log user data and sell it to advertisers. This means your financial data and other sensitive details may be exposed to third parties. Besides, since free VPNs generally have weak security compared to premium VPNs, threat actors have been known to target users to hack their connections and track their online activities.
• Small server network: Most free VPNs only have servers in a handful of locations. So, you may struggle to connect to a server in a location where Phemex isn’t restricted.
• Unstable network and poor speeds: Free VPNs don’t invest a lot in maintaining their network, like premium VPN services. As a result, you’re likely to experience poor speeds, abrupt connection drops, and other connectivity issues with free VPNs.

Crypto trading is a financially sensitive activity with risks involved. So don’t increase those by entrusting sensitive information for shady services. Instead, I recommend trying a premium crypto VPN with a free trial and a money-back guarantee for risk-free experience. NordVPN, for example, comes with a generous 30-day money back guarantee and a 7-day free trial.

Conclusion

Access to Phemex is currently restricted in the US due to the country’s stringent financial regulations. But many US-based crypto traders continue to access the platform, and you can, too, using a top-rated VPN. I’ve conducted tests on 22 VPNs, and NordVPN is the best Phemex VPN. It allows you to unblock the platform from the US and other countries where access to Phemex is restricted.

NordVPN has 6900 servers in 113 countries, including many countries where Phemex is freely available (Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Norway, France, Germany). It also delivers blazing-fast speeds and comes with an array of security features to keep your transactions private and protect your assets.

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FAQ

Is Phemex legal in the US?

Yes, it isn’t illegal to access and use Phemex in the US. However, the platform isn’t licensed to operate in the country due to complex state and federal financial laws.

Is Phemex allowed in New York?

As of September 2023, Phemex is not available to all US residents due to local regulations. The company isn’t officially registered in the US and its operations are restricted in the country. However, you can access Phemex in New York and all other states in the US using a reliable VPN.

Can I use Phemex in the US with a VPN?

Yes, you can access and use Phemex in the US with a VPN. Many US-based crypto traders do this. Phemex accepts wire transfers and credit/debit payments from users in the US.

What countries is Phemex banned in?

Phemex isn’t officially banned in any country. However, the company’s services are restricted in some countries, like the US, as it’s yet to secure a license to operate in these locations.

Is Phemex legal in Canada?

Yes, it’s legal to use Phemex in Canada. However, the company isn’t officially operating in the country due to local regulations. To trade on Phemex from Canada, you need a robust VPN. My top choice is NordVPN.

Is Phemex safe?

Phemex is a legitimate crypto trading platform and it’s safe to use. Its popularity has grown immensely in recent years, and it has never been hacked to date. Neither had I any major data leaks.