E8 Markets restricts traders from 35 countries as of April 2026 including UAE and Hong Kong. US traders are not country-restricted but face platform limits on Forex and CFD: MT5 and cTrader unavailable, MatchTrader and TradeLocker work. E8 Futures is fully accessible to US traders across NinjaTrader, Quantower, TradingView and Sierra Chart. Use code VIBES for 10 percent off evaluations.
Quick answer: E8 Markets restricted countries at a glance
E8 Markets restricts traders from 35 countries, blocks MT5 and cTrader for US-based Forex traders, and allows US traders unrestricted access to the E8 Futures track. Those are the three facts most traders searching this topic need. The rest of this article provides the full verified list, the reasoning behind major entries, and a clear breakdown of what US traders can and cannot do.
- 35 restricted countries as of April 2026
- UAE and Hong Kong are on the list (surprise entries for many traders)
- Russia, Ukraine, Iran, North Korea and other sanctioned jurisdictions excluded
- US traders: country not restricted, but MT5 and cTrader unavailable for Forex
- US traders on Futures: full access to NinjaTrader, Quantower, TradingView, Sierra Chart
- VIBES code: 10 percent off any E8 evaluation
For the full E8 rules context, see the E8 Markets rules overview. As a Paul-tested firm on the Futures side across 18 months and 3 funded accounts, the platform-restriction nuance for US Futures traders has been straightforward in practice — the full NinjaTrader and Quantower stack is available without friction.
The complete restricted countries list (35 countries, verified April 2026)
E8 Markets restricts account opening and trading for residents and citizens of the following countries:
| Region | Restricted countries |
|---|---|
| Middle East and North Africa | Afghanistan, Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Yemen |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Zambia |
| East and Southeast Asia | Burma/Myanmar, Hong Kong, North Korea |
| South Asia | Bangladesh, Pakistan |
| Europe and Former Soviet | Albania, Belarus, Kosovo, Russia, Ukraine |
| Americas | Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela |
| Pacific | Midway Islands, Samoa |
| Other | Vatican City, West Bank, Western Sahara |
Total: 35 restricted countries or territories. Two entries deserve extra attention: UAE and Hong Kong both appear on this list. These are significant financial hubs with large prop-trading communities, and the restriction catches many traders by surprise. Residents of Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Hong Kong cannot access any E8 product.
Always confirm against E8's current terms of service at e8markets.com before purchasing an evaluation. Lists can change, and this article reflects the verified state as of April 2026.
Why these countries are restricted
The restricted list follows two distinct logics.
Sanctions compliance
A core set of countries are restricted because they are subject to OFAC (US Treasury), UN Security Council, or EU financial sanctions. E8 Markets, operating from Dallas TX and Prague CZ, must comply with US and EU sanctions regimes. This category covers Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Cuba, Sudan, Venezuela and Yemen. These restrictions are legally mandated and not subject to exception.
Regulatory and compliance risk
A second set of countries are restricted because E8 has assessed the compliance burden or fraud risk as too high for current operations. This category includes countries like Kenya, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Kosovo. Firms expand these lists through internal risk assessment rather than direct legal mandate, which means this category can change as E8's compliance infrastructure grows.
UAE and Hong Kong specifically
Both are advanced financial markets with strong regulatory frameworks, which makes their appearance on the restricted list notable. UAE has its own financial regulatory environment (DIFC, ADGM) that may create complexity for foreign prop firms seeking to serve UAE-resident traders. Hong Kong operates under a separate regulatory regime from mainland China, and its status on this list reflects E8's current compliance posture rather than a sanctions requirement.
US traders: what you can and cannot access
The US situation is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. United States traders are not on the restricted countries list. They can open E8 accounts. But US-specific platform restrictions apply on the Forex and CFD side.
E8 Futures: fully accessible to US traders
US traders face no platform restriction for E8 Signature Futures. The available platform stack is:
| Platform | US available |
|---|---|
| NinjaTrader | Yes |
| Quantower | Yes |
| TradingView | Yes |
| Sierra Chart | Yes |
The E8 Futures track offers $25K, $50K, $100K and $150K account sizes. Pricing starts at $110 (Signature $25K). For Futures-specific pricing, see the E8 Futures pricing guide. Across 18 months of E8 Futures trading and 3 funded accounts, the Futures rail has run without country or platform friction.
E8 Forex and CFD: platform restriction applies
US traders cannot use MT5 or cTrader for E8 Forex and CFD accounts. This is not an E8-specific policy but a downstream effect of US regulatory restrictions on CFD products. MT5 and cTrader in the US context require regulatory accommodations that E8 has not yet implemented.
US traders on the Forex and CFD side can access:
| Platform | US available |
|---|---|
| MatchTrader | Yes |
| TradeLocker | Yes |
| MT5 | No |
| cTrader | No |
MatchTrader and TradeLocker give US traders access to E8 One and E8 Signature Forex products. The E8 One is E8's 1-step customisable account with profit splits up to 100 percent and scaling to $1,000,000. The E8 Signature Forex runs on EOD dynamic drawdown with 80 percent fixed profit split.
For a full breakdown of which products suit which trader profiles, see the E8 One vs Signature comparison and the E8 Markets US traders guide.
Does nationality matter, or only residence?
Prop firms typically verify both residence and citizenship during KYC. Traders who are citizens of a restricted country but resident in a non-restricted country face a case-by-case compliance assessment. In practice, E8's KYC process checks government-issued ID (which shows citizenship) and proof of address (which shows residence). If either matches a restricted country, the account may be declined.
If you hold dual citizenship, the non-restricted citizenship may be sufficient — but verify directly with E8 support before purchasing an evaluation. Contact E8 at help.e8markets.com/en/ for individual guidance.
Document name and proof of address alignment
KYC requires document consistency. The name on the ID, the name on the proof of address, and the name on the E8 account all need to match. A trader who moved recently may need an updated utility bill or bank statement before the first payout to confirm the new residence. Stale proof-of-address documents are the most common KYC stall on the Futures side.
VPN and jurisdiction-shopping: why it does not work
The restricted country list operates at the KYC and identity verification layer, not at IP-level access. E8 Markets requires government-issued ID and proof of address before activating funded accounts. A VPN changes your apparent IP address but does not change your identity documents.
Attempting to use a VPN to bypass jurisdiction restrictions:
- Violates E8's terms of service
- Risks account closure and profit forfeiture if discovered
- May trigger fraud flags during KYC review
The verification standard used by E8, Rise (their crypto payout rail), and Plane (their bank transfer rail) requires real identity matching. There is no compliant workaround for restricted-country residency.
What to check before buying an E8 evaluation
If you are uncertain about your country's status:
- Read the current E8 terms of service at e8markets.com for the official restricted list
- Contact E8 support at help.e8markets.com/en/ before paying the evaluation fee
- If you are a US trader interested in Forex or CFD, confirm you can access MatchTrader or TradeLocker from your setup before committing to a platform-specific product
- If you plan to use E8 Futures, no additional platform check is needed for US traders
For traders in non-restricted countries, see the E8 Markets accounts overview for a full product comparison and the E8 Markets platforms guide for detailed platform setup information.
How E8 compares to peers on country restrictions
Most major prop firms carry similar restricted country lists driven by the same sanctions compliance requirements. The core OFAC and UN sanctions countries (Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Cuba, Sudan) appear on virtually every prop firm's restricted list.
E8's list is notable for including UAE and Hong Kong, which some competitors have found ways to serve. If UAE or Hong Kong access is a requirement, consider reviewing alternative firms — the E8 Markets vs competitors overview covers several firms with different geographic availability.
For traders interested in E8 specifically who are near the restricted list boundary, the safest path is direct confirmation with E8 support before any payment.
| Country | E8 status | Typical peer status |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | Restricted | Often supported |
| Hong Kong | Restricted | Often supported |
| Russia | Restricted | Restricted at most firms |
| Ukraine | Restricted | Mixed (some support, some restrict) |
| Pakistan | Restricted | Often supported |
| Bangladesh | Restricted | Often supported |
Three-track product structure and the restricted list
E8 operates as a three-asset firm: Forex, Futures and Crypto. The country restriction list applies across all three tracks. A trader from a restricted country cannot pivot from Forex to Futures to dodge the restriction. The platform restriction for US traders, on the other hand, only affects the Forex and CFD side — US traders can run E8 Futures freely on NinjaTrader, Quantower, TradingView or Sierra Chart.
E8 Crypto runs on the CFD-style platforms (cTrader and TradeLocker per current Sanity propFirm data). US traders should treat Crypto access as governed by the same platform constraints as Forex rather than the open Futures stack. Across the 18 months of E8 use covering 3 funded accounts on the Futures side, no Crypto product was tested by Paul, so Forex and Crypto guidance here is third-person framing only.
Practical workflow for borderline-eligible traders
Traders in countries near the restriction boundary (Kenya, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ukraine, plus dual-citizens of restricted countries) face a case-by-case compliance decision rather than a clean yes or no. The right workflow protects against paying eval fees that cannot be recovered if compliance later declines the account.
- Email E8 support at help.e8markets.com with your specific country and citizenship situation before paying any fee
- Wait for written confirmation in the support ticket rather than relying on the public restricted-list interpretation
- If approved, save the support-ticket reference number for future cycle reference
- Complete KYC inside 48 hours of evaluation purchase to lock in approval against any list updates
- If declined, document the decline reason for use with alternative prop firms that may serve your country
The 18-month track on E8 Futures across 3 funded accounts has run without country friction because the trader's base residency is fully supported. For borderline cases the explicit pre-confirmation step is the safe path; do not assume the public list interpretation maps cleanly to your individual KYC outcome.
What to do if your country goes from supported to restricted
Sanctions and compliance lists evolve. A country that is supported today may move onto the restricted list at a future point if regulatory environments shift. Existing E8 accounts that pre-date a new restriction are typically handled case-by-case rather than automatically closed.
Practical protective measures for current account holders in any country: keep KYC documents current, withdraw payouts on a regular cadence rather than letting profit accumulate in the funded balance for many months, and monitor E8's terms of service for changes 1-2 times per year. The cost of staying current is small; the cost of having a forgotten dormant account caught by a future restriction is potentially large.
The bottom line
E8 Markets restricts 35 countries as of April 2026. The key callouts are UAE and Hong Kong, which many traders in those markets do not expect to see on the list. US traders are not restricted at the country level but face a platform limitation on the Forex and CFD side: MT5 and cTrader are unavailable, while MatchTrader and TradeLocker both work. US traders accessing E8 Futures face no restriction. If your country is on the list, there is no compliant workaround. If you are uncertain, check the E8 terms of service or contact E8 support before paying evaluation fees.
Use code VIBES for 10 percent off any E8 evaluation.
Country eligibility versus product eligibility
Country eligibility is the first filter. Product eligibility is the second. A trader in a supported country still needs to confirm the specific E8 product (One, Signature Forex, Futures, Crypto) is available in their jurisdiction and on their preferred platform. The US example earlier in this article illustrates the pattern: country supported, Futures fully available, Forex limited to MatchTrader and TradeLocker.
Similar patterns may apply in other jurisdictions even though E8 does not block at the country level. EU traders generally have full access to all four product tracks (One, Signature Forex, Signature Futures, Crypto) on every supported platform, but specific tax or payment rails may differ by member state. UK traders have the same product access but should verify FCA-related disclosure requirements specific to prop trading.
| Trader jurisdiction | Futures access | Forex platform access | Crypto access |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | Full (NinjaTrader, Quantower, TradingView, Sierra) | MatchTrader, TradeLocker only | Limited (verify) |
| EU member state | Full (all platforms) | Full (MT5, cTrader, MatchTrader, TradeLocker) | Full (verify regional rules) |
| UK | Full (all platforms) | Full | Full (verify FCA-related rules) |
| APAC supported (e.g. Singapore) | Full | Full | Full |
| Restricted country | Blocked entirely | Blocked entirely | Blocked entirely |
Practical takeaway: confirm both country and product eligibility before paying eval fees. The 18-month track on E8 Futures across 3 funded accounts ran without country or product friction on the supported jurisdiction; borderline cases warrant explicit pre-confirmation with E8 support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries does E8 Markets restrict?
E8 Markets restricts traders from 35 countries as of April 2026: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Burma/Myanmar, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Midway Islands, Nicaragua, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Samoa, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City, Venezuela, West Bank, Western Sahara, Yemen and Zambia. Always verify against E8's current terms of service before signing up.
Can US traders use E8 Markets?
Yes, with platform-specific caveats. US traders can access E8 Futures fully, with no restriction. On the Forex and CFD side, MT5 and cTrader are unavailable due to CFD regulation, but MatchTrader and TradeLocker are both accessible for US-based Forex traders. US traders can access E8 One and E8 Signature Forex products on the compatible platforms.
Is E8 Markets available in the UAE?
No. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on E8 Markets' restricted countries list. UAE residents and citizens cannot open accounts or trade with E8 Markets. This applies across all E8 products including Futures, Forex and Crypto.
Is E8 Markets available in Hong Kong?
No. Hong Kong is explicitly listed as a restricted territory. Residents of Hong Kong cannot access any E8 products. This affects a significant number of APAC traders who inquire about E8 because Hong Kong is otherwise served by most Western prop firms.
Why does E8 restrict certain countries?
Prop firms restrict countries for two primary reasons: international sanctions compliance (covering countries like Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Cuba and Sudan) and local regulatory restrictions on CFD and Forex products (the reason MT5 and cTrader are unavailable to US traders). E8 Markets, headquartered in Dallas TX and Prague CZ, must comply with US and EU financial regulations.
Can I use a VPN to access E8 Markets from a restricted country?
No. E8 Markets' KYC process checks government-issued ID and proof of address, not just IP address. A VPN bypasses geographic IP filtering but does not change identity documents. If your documents show a restricted country, the account will not pass verification. Attempting to use a VPN to circumvent restrictions violates E8's terms of service.
Which E8 platforms are available to US traders?
For Forex and CFD: MatchTrader and TradeLocker. MT5 and cTrader are unavailable to US traders due to US regulatory restrictions on CFD trading. For E8 Futures: NinjaTrader, Quantower, TradingView and Sierra Chart are all available with no US restriction.
Does the restricted country list apply to E8 Futures as well as Forex?
Yes. The country restriction list applies to all E8 products. A trader from a restricted country cannot access E8 Futures, E8 Forex or E8 Crypto. The US platform restriction is a separate issue specific to Forex and CFD regulation, not a blanket country ban.
Is Russia restricted on E8 Markets?
Yes. Russia is on E8 Markets' restricted countries list. Russian residents and citizens cannot open accounts with E8 Markets. This has been a consistent restriction across most Western-registered prop firms since 2022.
Is Ukraine restricted on E8 Markets?
Yes, Ukraine appears on E8 Markets' restricted countries list. This is less common than Russia's restriction at most prop firms. Ukrainian traders should verify directly with E8 support, as these lists can change, and contact E8 via help.e8markets.com for the most current status.
What happens if my country becomes restricted after I open an E8 account?
E8 Markets' terms of service govern this scenario. Accounts active at the time of a new restriction may be handled individually. Contact E8 support directly for guidance if your country's status changes. The best protection is confirming your country's status before depositing evaluation fees.
How do I confirm my country's status before buying an E8 evaluation?
Check E8 Markets' terms of service at e8markets.com or contact E8 support at help.e8markets.com/en/ before purchasing. The list in this article was verified April 2026 but may change; use the official source for final confirmation.
Does dual citizenship help with restricted-country issues?
It can. If you hold a passport from a non-restricted country and can provide proof of address in that country, E8 may approve the account on the non-restricted credentials. The decision is case-by-case at compliance review, so contact E8 support before paying eval fees rather than after.
Are crypto payouts affected by the restricted country list?
Yes. The list applies to KYC at account opening, which controls access to all payout rails including Rise crypto disbursement. A trader from a restricted country cannot bypass the list by selecting crypto as the payout method because the account cannot be opened in the first place.
Does the VIBES discount apply in all supported countries?
Yes. The 10 percent VIBES discount applies at checkout for any trader in a supported country. The code is a discount, not a compliance exception, so it does nothing for traders in restricted countries who cannot complete checkout in the first place. Verify the current discount percentage on e8markets.com because promo codes can rotate.
Can I switch countries mid-funded life?
Yes if the new country is supported. Update KYC with new proof of address through the trader dashboard before the next payout cycle. If the new country is restricted, the account may be paused or closed at compliance discretion. Contact E8 support before the move to confirm the path.
How long does KYC take on a supported-country E8 account?
Typically 1-3 business days for a standard supported-country trader with passport plus utility bill plus selfie verification. Borderline jurisdictions or document quality issues can extend this to 5-7 business days. Submit clean documents on day one of eval purchase to compress the verification window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries does E8 Markets restrict?
E8 Markets restricts traders from 35 countries as of April 2026: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Burma/Myanmar, Burundi, Central African Republic, Congo, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Midway Islands, Nicaragua, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Samoa, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City, Venezuela, West Bank, Western Sahara, Yemen and Zambia.
Can US traders use E8 Markets?
Yes, with platform-specific caveats. US traders can access E8 Futures fully, with no restriction. On the Forex and CFD side, MT5 and cTrader are unavailable due to CFD regulation, but MatchTrader and TradeLocker are both accessible for US-based Forex traders. US traders can also access E8 One and E8 Signature Forex products on the compatible platforms.
Is E8 Markets available in the UAE?
No. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on E8 Markets' restricted countries list. UAE residents and citizens cannot open accounts or trade with E8 Markets. This applies across all E8 products including Futures, Forex and Crypto.
Is E8 Markets available in Hong Kong?
No. Hong Kong is explicitly listed as a restricted territory for E8 Markets. Residents of Hong Kong cannot access any E8 products. This restriction affects a significant number of traders in the APAC region who inquire about E8.
Why does E8 restrict certain countries?
Prop firms restrict countries for two primary reasons: international sanctions compliance (OFAC, UN, EU sanctions lists cover countries like Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Cuba and Sudan) and local regulatory restrictions on CFD and Forex products (the reason MT5 and cTrader are unavailable to US traders). E8 Markets, headquartered in Dallas TX and Prague CZ, must comply with US and EU financial regulations.
Can I use a VPN to access E8 Markets from a restricted country?
E8 Markets' KYC and identity verification process checks your actual country of residence and citizenship, not just your IP address. Using a VPN to bypass geographic access controls does not satisfy compliance requirements. If your identity documents show a restricted country, the account will not pass verification. Attempting to use a VPN to circumvent restrictions violates E8's terms of service and can result in permanent account closure and forfeiture of any profits.
Which E8 platforms are available to US traders?
US traders on the Forex and CFD side can use MatchTrader and TradeLocker. MT5 and cTrader are unavailable to US traders due to US regulatory restrictions on CFD trading. For E8 Futures, US traders have no platform restriction, NinjaTrader, Quantower, TradingView and Sierra Chart are all available.
Does the restricted country list apply to E8 Futures as well as Forex?
The country restriction list applies across all E8 products. A trader from a restricted country cannot access E8 Futures, E8 Forex or E8 Crypto. The US platform restriction (MT5 and cTrader) is separate from the country restriction list and is specific to Forex and CFD regulation, not a blanket ban.
Is Russia restricted on E8 Markets?
Yes. Russia is on E8 Markets' restricted countries list. Russian residents and citizens cannot open accounts with E8 Markets. This has been a consistent restriction across most Western-registered prop firms since 2022.
Is Ukraine restricted on E8 Markets?
Yes, Ukraine appears on E8 Markets' restricted countries list. This is unusual compared to many other prop firms and may reflect specific compliance considerations at E8. Ukrainian traders should verify directly with E8 support via help.e8markets.com for the most current status.
What happens if my country becomes restricted after I open an E8 account?
E8 Markets' terms of service govern this scenario. In general across prop firms, accounts active at the time of a new restriction may be grandfathered or may require closure at renewal. If you are concerned about this, verify directly with E8 support. The best protection is confirming your country's status before depositing evaluation fees.
How do I confirm whether my country is restricted before buying an E8 evaluation?
Check E8 Markets' terms of service at e8markets.com — the restricted country list is disclosed there. You can also contact E8 support at help.e8markets.com/en/ before purchasing. The list in this article was verified April 2026 but may change; always use the official source for final confirmation.
Does dual citizenship help with restricted-country issues?
It can. If you hold a passport from a non-restricted country and can provide proof of address in that country, E8 may approve the account on the non-restricted credentials. The decision is case-by-case at compliance review, so contact E8 support before paying eval fees rather than after the account has been declined.
Are crypto payouts affected by the restricted country list?
Yes. The list applies to KYC at account opening, which controls access to all payout rails including Rise crypto disbursement. A trader from a restricted country cannot bypass the list by selecting crypto as the payout method because the account cannot be opened in the first place.
Does the VIBES discount apply in all supported countries?
Yes. The 10 percent VIBES discount applies at checkout for any trader in a supported country. The code is a discount, not a compliance exception, so it does nothing for traders in restricted countries who cannot complete checkout in the first place. Verify the current discount percentage on e8markets.com because promo codes can rotate.
Can I switch countries mid-funded life?
Yes if the new country is supported. Update KYC with new proof of address through the trader dashboard before the next payout cycle. If the new country is restricted, the account may be paused or closed at compliance discretion. Contact E8 support before the move to confirm the path.
How long does KYC take on a supported-country E8 account?
Typically 1-3 business days for a standard supported-country trader with passport plus utility bill plus selfie verification. Borderline jurisdictions or document quality issues can extend this to 5-7 business days. Submit clean documents on day one of eval purchase to compress the verification window.