Quick Answer — HyroTrader Restricted Countries
- • HyroTrader itself has zero country restrictions — anyone can purchase and start a challenge regardless of location
- • Bybit (one of two platform options) restricts traders from the US, UK, Canada, Singapore, and several sanctioned regions
- • Cleo (the other platform option) has no country restrictions at all, making it the go-to for US, UK, and Canadian traders
- • KYC verification is required at the funded stage only — standard government-issued ID, processed within 24-48 hours
- • Using a VPN to bypass Bybit restrictions is technically possible but risky — Bybit can flag and freeze your account
Learned the hard way: I've passed multiple HyroTrader challenges on the first try and I'm currently funded. HyroTrader has one of the most complex rule sets in the crypto prop firm space — the mandatory stop-loss, the 40% profit distribution rule, and the 25% exposure cap all work differently than what you're used to from futures firms.
I broke every rule down with real examples in my complete HyroTrader rules guide. For the full picture, read my complete HyroTrader review. For the absolute latest, check HyroTrader's website or their help center.
HyroTrader has no country restrictions on its challenge. As of April 2026, any trader from any country can purchase a HyroTrader evaluation, complete the challenge, and get funded. The restriction question only gets complicated when you pick your trading platform.
HyroTrader currently offers two platform options: Bybit and Cleo. Bybit has a well-documented list of restricted countries that blocks traders from the US, UK, Canada, and several other regions. Cleo has none. That one choice at account setup determines whether you can trade or not.
I've been through the full process on both platforms and can walk you through exactly which countries are restricted, which platform to choose based on where you live, and what happens during KYC.
What Is HyroTrader's Official Country Policy?
HyroTrader as a company does not restrict any country from purchasing or participating in their challenges. There's no geo-blocking on their website, no country dropdown that filters you out during signup, and no Terms of Service clause that excludes specific nationalities.
This is different from most prop firms. Firms like Topstep or Apex Trader Funding have explicit country exclusion lists baked into their own policies. HyroTrader pushes that decision downstream to the platform level.
As of April 2026, HyroTrader's position is straightforward: if you can complete KYC with a valid government-issued ID at the funded stage, you're eligible. Your country of residence only matters when it comes to which trading platform you can use.
Which Countries Are Restricted on Bybit?
Bybit is a major cryptocurrency exchange based in Dubai, and it complies with international sanctions and local regulatory requirements. If you select Bybit as your trading platform during HyroTrader's challenge setup, the following countries are restricted:
| Category | Countries / Regions |
|---|---|
| Major Markets | United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore |
| Sanctioned Regions | Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Crimea (Ukraine) |
| Other Restricted | Varies by service — Bybit periodically updates its restricted list based on regulatory changes. Always verify directly on Bybit's compliance page before signing up. |
The US restriction is the big one. Bybit pulled out of the American market entirely, so any US-based IP address, phone number, or KYC document will get flagged. Same applies to UK residents after Bybit's FCA compliance changes.
Canada and Singapore round out the major market restrictions. If you're in any of these four countries, Bybit is off the table for HyroTrader. Period.
The sanctioned regions (Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Crimea) are restricted across virtually every international exchange, not just Bybit. This isn't a HyroTrader-specific issue.
Why Does Cleo Have No Country Restrictions?
Cleo is HyroTrader's proprietary trading platform that uses Binance data feeds. It operates differently from Bybit because traders aren't connecting to a regulated exchange. They're trading on HyroTrader's own infrastructure using Binance market data for price discovery.
As of April 2026, Cleo has zero country restrictions. No IP blocking. No nationality filters. No geo-fencing.
This makes Cleo the default option for traders in the US, UK, Canada, Singapore, and anywhere else that Bybit doesn't serve. The trade execution happens on HyroTrader's servers, not on Binance itself, so Binance's own country restrictions don't apply to Cleo users.
There are trade-offs between Bybit and Cleo in terms of available trading pairs, execution speed, and interface polish. But from a pure access standpoint, Cleo is the only option that works for everyone.
How Can US Traders Use HyroTrader?
US traders get asked this question constantly in prop trading communities. The answer is simple: choose Cleo during your HyroTrader challenge setup.
Here's the step-by-step process for US-based traders:
- Go to HyroTrader's website and select your account size
- During the checkout/setup process, select Cleo as your trading platform (not Bybit)
- Complete the payment with crypto or credit card
- You'll receive Cleo login credentials via email
- Start trading immediately on Cleo using Binance data feeds
No VPN needed. No workarounds. No gray-area tactics. HyroTrader explicitly supports US traders through Cleo, and the KYC process at the funded stage accepts US-issued identification documents.
I've confirmed this directly: US passports, US driver's licenses, and US state IDs are all valid for HyroTrader's KYC at the funded level. There's no gotcha where they accept your challenge fee and then reject you at payout time.
How Can UK Traders Use HyroTrader?
Same situation as US traders. Bybit doesn't serve UK residents, but Cleo works perfectly.
UK traders select Cleo at signup, trade normally, and submit UK-issued identification for KYC at the funded stage. HyroTrader accepts UK passports and UK driving licences for verification.
The only thing UK traders need to watch: if HyroTrader adds OKX as a third platform option (expected Q2 2026), check OKX's UK compliance status before selecting it. OKX has had an on-and-off relationship with UK regulators, and its restricted country list may include the UK depending on when you're reading this.
For now, Cleo is the guaranteed-access platform for UK residents.
What Does HyroTrader's KYC Process Require?
KYC at HyroTrader is only required once you pass the challenge and qualify for a funded account. The evaluation phase itself requires no identity verification beyond a valid email address.
At the funded stage, HyroTrader requires:
- Government-issued photo ID (passport, national ID card, or driver's license)
- Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, or government correspondence dated within 3 months)
- Selfie verification (photo of you holding your ID document)
Processing time is typically 24-48 hours. I got verified within about 18 hours on my first funded account.
HyroTrader uses a third-party KYC provider, which is standard across the industry. The process is the same regardless of whether you traded on Bybit or Cleo during the challenge. Your platform choice during the evaluation doesn't affect KYC eligibility.
One detail that matters: the name on your KYC documents must match the name on your HyroTrader account. If you signed up with a nickname or abbreviation, update it before requesting KYC verification.
Is Using a VPN to Access Bybit Safe?
I'll be direct: don't do it.
Technically, HyroTrader's Terms of Service don't explicitly prohibit VPN usage. But Bybit's do. And since you're connecting to Bybit's infrastructure when you choose that platform, Bybit's rules apply.
Bybit uses sophisticated IP detection, device fingerprinting, and KYC cross-referencing to identify users from restricted countries. If Bybit detects a VPN:
- Your Bybit account can be frozen
- Open positions may be force-liquidated
- Withdrawal of any funds on Bybit becomes impossible
- Your HyroTrader challenge account tied to that Bybit connection is effectively dead
I've seen traders in Discord groups report exactly this scenario. They used a VPN to access Bybit from the US, passed the HyroTrader challenge, and then couldn't complete KYC because Bybit flagged the account during the funded verification process.
The risk-reward math doesn't work. Cleo exists specifically so traders in restricted Bybit countries don't have to take this gamble. Use Cleo.
What About OKX? (Coming Q2 2026)
HyroTrader has announced plans to add OKX as a third platform option, expected sometime in Q2 2026. OKX is another major crypto exchange, and it will come with its own set of country restrictions.
As of April 2026, OKX restricts users from:
- United States (all states)
- Several sanctioned regions (Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Crimea)
OKX has different restrictions from Bybit. Notably, OKX currently serves UK and Canadian traders, which would give those users a third platform option alongside Cleo. But this can change, and OKX has adjusted its country list multiple times in the past two years.
When OKX goes live on HyroTrader, I'll update this article with the confirmed restriction list. For now, the safe play is: if your country is on any exchange restriction list, just choose Cleo. It's always available.
How Does HyroTrader Compare to Other Crypto Prop Firms on Country Access?
Most crypto prop firms have their own country restrictions, and most of them are more restrictive than HyroTrader.
| Firm | US Traders | UK Traders | Canada Traders | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HyroTrader | Yes (via Cleo) | Yes (via Cleo) | Yes (via Cleo) | No firm-level restrictions. Platform choice determines access. |
| Typical Crypto Prop Firms | Often No | Varies | Varies | Most crypto prop firms are exchange-dependent with no alternative platform option. |
| Futures Prop Firms | Yes (most) | Yes (most) | Yes (most) | CME-based futures firms generally have fewer country restrictions. |
HyroTrader's dual-platform approach is a genuine competitive advantage. Most crypto prop firms are locked to a single exchange. If that exchange doesn't serve your country, you're out of luck. HyroTrader gives you Cleo as a fallback that works globally.
For US traders specifically, this is a rare find. The crypto prop firm space has very few options that explicitly welcome American traders with a compliant, no-VPN-required path. HyroTrader through Cleo is one of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does HyroTrader Accept US Traders?
Yes. HyroTrader accepts US traders without restrictions. US-based traders need to select Cleo as their trading platform during account setup, since Bybit does not serve US residents. Cleo uses Binance data feeds and has zero country restrictions, making it the standard choice for all American traders on HyroTrader.
Is HyroTrader Available in the UK?
Yes. HyroTrader is fully available to UK traders. Like US traders, UK residents should choose Cleo as their platform because Bybit restricts UK users. HyroTrader accepts UK passports and UK driving licences for KYC verification at the funded stage.
Can Canadian Traders Use HyroTrader?
Yes. Canadian traders can use HyroTrader by selecting Cleo as their trading platform. Bybit does not serve Canadian residents, but Cleo has no geographic restrictions. Canadian government-issued ID is accepted for KYC verification when transitioning to a funded account.
What Countries Are Restricted on HyroTrader's Bybit Platform?
HyroTrader's Bybit platform restricts traders from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and the Crimea region of Ukraine. Bybit periodically updates its restricted list based on regulatory changes, so traders should verify current restrictions on Bybit's compliance page before selecting it as their HyroTrader platform.
Does HyroTrader's Cleo Platform Have Any Country Restrictions?
No. As of April 2026, HyroTrader's Cleo platform has zero country restrictions. Cleo is HyroTrader's proprietary trading platform that uses Binance data feeds for price discovery, and it operates independently of any exchange's compliance requirements. Traders from any country can use Cleo.
Can I Switch From Bybit to Cleo After Starting a HyroTrader Challenge?
No. HyroTrader requires you to select your trading platform at the time of account purchase. Once a challenge is created on Bybit, you can't migrate it to Cleo mid-challenge. If you picked the wrong platform, you'd need to purchase a new challenge and select Cleo at checkout. Double-check your platform selection before completing payment.
Does HyroTrader Require KYC for the Challenge Phase?
No. HyroTrader does not require KYC verification during the challenge (evaluation) phase. KYC is only required after passing the challenge, when transitioning to a funded account. The evaluation phase requires only a valid email address to get started.
Will HyroTrader's OKX Platform Have Country Restrictions?
Yes. HyroTrader plans to add OKX as a third platform option in Q2 2026, and OKX will have its own restricted country list. As of April 2026, OKX restricts US traders but currently serves UK and Canadian users. HyroTrader has not yet confirmed the final OKX restriction list for their platform, so check back for updates.
Is It Safe to Use a VPN to Access Bybit Through HyroTrader?
No. Using a VPN to bypass Bybit's country restrictions is risky and not recommended. Bybit uses IP detection, device fingerprinting, and KYC cross-referencing to identify users from restricted regions. If Bybit flags your account, open positions can be force-liquidated and the account frozen. HyroTrader's Cleo platform exists specifically as the compliant alternative for restricted-country traders.
What Happens If My Country Gets Added to a Restricted List After I Start Trading?
HyroTrader has not published a specific policy for mid-challenge restriction changes. In general, existing funded accounts at crypto prop firms are typically grandfathered during regulatory transitions, but new challenges may be affected. If your country's status changes, contact HyroTrader support directly and consider switching to Cleo for any future challenges to avoid platform-level access issues.
The bottom line: HyroTrader is one of the most accessible crypto prop firms globally because it separates its own eligibility from platform-level restrictions. The firm itself has no country exclusions. If you're in the US, UK, Canada, or anywhere else Bybit doesn't operate, just pick Cleo at checkout and you're in. No VPNs, no workarounds, no gray areas. The only traders who can't use HyroTrader at all are those in sanctioned regions (Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Crimea), and that's an international sanctions issue, not a HyroTrader policy.
