Uniswap Restricted Countries

What Countries are Restricted by Uniswap?

Uniswap restricts access to its official app for users from 10 countries due to regulatory compliance with U.S. sanctions and risk management policies. These restrictions align with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions list to limit interactions tied to illicit activities.

Restricted Countries List for Uniswap:

• Belarus
• Cuba
• Iran
• Iraq
• Côte d'Ivoire
• Liberia
• North Korea
• Sudan
• Syria
• Zimbabwe

Uniswap introduced these restrictions in 2019. The enforcement details can be verified in Uniswap’s GitHub repository under the (/interface) section, specifically pull request #534, which shows how Netlify, a web hosting service, is used to block access based on geographic location.

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Where is Uniswap Available?

Uniswap is available in 185 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Venezuela, and Ukraine.

Users in these countries can access Uniswap through web browsers, crypto wallets, or the Uniswap Mobile App to swap tokens, provide liquidity, and interact with the protocol without any restrictions.

According to Similarweb data, the Unislab Labs app had 5.3 million visits in December 2024 with 40.25% coming from the U.S., followed by Brazil at 8.69%, and the UK at 5.5%.

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What Country is Uniswap Based?

Uniswap was formed in the United States, with its headquarters in New York City. It was founded in 2018 by Hayden Adams, a former mechanical engineer, who developed the protocol as an open-source, decentralized exchange (DEX) on the Ethereum blockchain.

Uniswap Labs, the company behind the development of the app, continues to operate from the U.S., focusing on building and maintaining the platform’s ecosystem.

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Is Uniswap Legal in the USA?

Uniswap is fully legal in the USA as long as users comply with U.S. financial and tax regulations, and their wallets are not flagged for illicit activities (stolen funds, ransomware, etc.).

However, Uniswap’s legal standing in its home country faced growing regulatory pressure. In April 2024, Uniswap Labs received a Wells Notice from the SEC, signaling potential enforcement action, and was later fined $175,000 by the CFTC for offering illegal digital asset derivatives.

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Does Uniswap Require Know-Your-Customer (KYC)?

Uniswap does not require KYC for swapping tokens, providing liquidity, or using its Ethereum Layer 2 network, Unichain.

However, buying crypto through third-party services on Uniswap, such as MoonPay or Transak, requires KYC, which may include submitting a passport, driver’s license, or proof of address. Uniswap Labs does not collect or access any KYC data, as this is managed by third-party providers.

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Does Uniswap Track IP Address?

Uniswap Labs does not collect or store IP addresses when users interact with its services. While it gathers non-identifiable data like device type and browser version to improve product functionality, personal data such as IP addresses, street addresses, or wallet links are not tracked or stored.

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Does Uniswap Track Taxes?

Uniswap does not track, report, or provide tax forms like 1099s, and it does not file transactions to the IRS. As a decentralized platform, it doesn’t collect personal data or maintain centralized transaction records, though all activity is publicly visible on the blockchain.

Users are responsible for tracking their transactions and reporting taxable events. To streamline this process, tools like CoinLedger or Koinly can import Uniswap transaction histories, and consulting a crypto tax professional is recommended for accurate tax reporting.

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How to Bypass Uniswap's Geo-Blocking Restrictions

Uniswap’s website may restrict access in certain countries, but the protocol itself remains open. Here are three effective ways to bypass geo-blocks and continue using Uniswap.

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1. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN masks your IP address, allowing you to appear as if you're accessing Uniswap from an unrestricted country. This is one of the simplest ways to bypass geo-blocks without changing how you interact with the platform.

Caution: While VPNs can help bypass restrictions, users should ensure they comply with their local laws regarding VPN usage. Using a VPN does not exempt you from legal obligations in your jurisdiction.

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2. Interact Directly with Smart Contracts

You can skip Uniswap’s front-end entirely by interacting directly with its smart contracts on platforms like Etherscan. Using the “Write Contract” feature, you can execute swaps, add liquidity, or manage tokens without relying on the Uniswap website.

For even more control, you can connect through your own Ethereum node or use decentralized interfaces like Remix IDE, or MetaMask’s custom RPC settings to interact with Uniswap’s contracts. This is a technical procedure that, if not executed correctly, could result in the loss of funds.

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3. Our Recommended Method: Use DEX Aggregators

If you prefer an easy solution without installing external software or dealing with smart contract code, DEX aggregators like 1inch or Rango Exchange are your best bet.

These platforms route trades through Uniswap’s liquidity pools but operate independently from Uniswap’s official front-end, effectively bypassing geo-blocks.

We’ve tested this method, and it’s fast; no need to pay a monthly VPN fee or learn how to write code. Simply connect your wallet, choose your tokens, and trade as usual with no additional tools needed.

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About Uniswap

Uniswap is the largest decentralized exchange, with $2.5 trillion in cumulative trading volume and $5.3 billion in total value locked. The DEX is available on over 12 EVM-compatible chains, including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Base, Polygon, Sonic, and soon Kraken's Ink.

It still holds the record for the largest crypto airdrop, distributing $6.43 billion worth of UNI tokens to 250,000 addresses on September 17, 2020, after geo-restrictions were in place.

In recent years, Uniswap has launched major upgrades, including Unichain L2 and the Uniswap V4 upgrade, which introduced cheaper pool creation, native ETH support, lower swapping costs, liquidity subscriber tracking, and customizable smart contract hooks.

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Final Thoughts

While Uniswap’s geo-restrictions highlight the tension between regulatory compliance and the ethos of decentralization, the protocol itself remains permissionless. Users are still able to access its core functions beyond the official interface, keeping financial access open to all.