Where binary options are banned
Binary options are not legal everywhere. Some countries ban them outright for private traders, others allow only firms licensed by the local regulator, and in some no broker we review accepts residents at all.
Below is every country we have checked, grouped by status, with the regulator and a link to the full rules. In the other countries offshore brokers accept residents under their own terms, without local investor protection.
36 countries ban binary options for private traders, 3 allow them only through locally licensed firms, and in 21 no broker we review accepts residents.
Last verified 4 October 2026
Banned for private traders (36)
Binary options are prohibited for retail clients, or the regulator treats offshore platforms as unauthorised.
ASIC's product intervention order bans the sale of binary options to retail clients.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (FMA) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (FSMA) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Brazil's CVM has issued stop orders against offshore binary options platforms and opened sanction proceedings.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (FSC) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Canadian securities regulators (CSA) have banned short-term binary options for retail investors since 2017.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (HANFA) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (CySEC) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (CNB) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (Finanstilsynet) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (Finantsinspektsioon) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (FIN-FSA) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (AMF) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (BaFin) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (HCMC) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (MNB) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
The Reserve Bank of India lists offshore binary options and forex platforms on its Alert List of unauthorised platforms.
Bappebti treats binary options as illegal and blocks the platforms; people who promoted them have been prosecuted.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (CBI) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Israeli law has banned the binary options industry since 2017.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (CONSOB) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the Latvijas Banka after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the Lietuvos bankas after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
The Securities Commission Malaysia lists binary options platforms on its Investor Alert List of unauthorised entities.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (AFM) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (Finanstilsynet) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (KNF) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (CMVM) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (ASF) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore lists binary options platforms on its Investor Alert List.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (NBS) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (ATVP) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (CNMV) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
Retail binary options are prohibited under national product intervention measures adopted by the national regulator (FI) after the EU-wide ESMA ban of 2018.
The FCA has permanently banned the sale of binary options to retail clients (2019).
Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security states that binary options platforms operate illegally because only credit institutions may conduct foreign-exchange business (2005 Ordinance on Foreign Exchange).
Only locally licensed firms (3)
Binary options are allowed only through firms licensed by the national regulator. None of the brokers we review holds such a licence.
Only firms licensed by Japan's FSA may offer binary options; offshore platforms are not licensed.
The FSCA treats binary options as OTC derivatives that require an ODP licence; offshore binary options brokers do not hold one.
Only exchanges designated by the CFTC may offer binary options to US residents; the CFTC warns against offshore platforms.
No broker accepts residents (21)
We found no specific ban, but every broker we review excludes residents in its terms.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
The binary options brokers we review do not accept residents of this country.
Getting round a country block with a VPN breaks the broker's terms. Brokers check ID and address before withdrawals, so such accounts are often frozen with the money in them.
Where binary options are allowed
In 100 countries we cover, offshore brokers accept residents. Each country page lists the brokers that accept you and what the local regulator says.
Questions about the bans
Why do countries ban binary options?
Regulators see fixed-payout bets on short price moves as gambling-like products with a built-in expected loss, often sold aggressively online. The EU, the UK and Australia banned them for retail clients; many other regulators warn against unlicensed offshore platforms.
Can I trade from a banned country with a VPN?
It breaks the broker's terms and usually local law. Brokers check ID and proof of address before withdrawals, so accounts opened that way are often frozen.
Where are binary options legal?
In many countries there is no specific ban, and offshore brokers accept residents under their own terms, without local investor protection. Check your country's page before opening an account.
