Bithumb User Eligibility Checker
Check Your Bithumb Eligibility
Bithumb is exclusively for South Korean residents. Enter your information to see if you qualify to use this exchange.
If you're looking to trade crypto in South Korea, Bithumb is one of the biggest names you'll find. But if you're outside Korea - especially if you're in the U.S., Europe, or even Australia - you might be better off looking elsewhere. As of November 2025, Bithumb still operates almost entirely as a Korea-only platform, despite being one of the largest exchanges in the country by volume and user count.
Who Actually Uses Bithumb?
Bithumb isn't built for global traders. It's built for Koreans. With over 8 million registered users and daily trading volumes that regularly hit $2.5 billion, it's the go-to exchange for people living in South Korea who want to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, or local tokens using Korean won (KRW). The platform integrates directly with Korean banks, so deposits and withdrawals in KRW are fast and seamless - if you have a Korean bank account and a resident registration number (RRN).For non-Koreans, the experience is frustrating. You can't sign up without a Korean phone number. You can't pass KYC without an RRN. Even if you manage to get past those barriers, the app and website are mostly in Korean. Some buttons are translated to English, but the menus, help docs, and customer support? All Korean. One user on the Google Play Store wrote: "I tried changing the language to English. Nothing worked. It's like they put English words in randomly just to confuse you."
Trading Features and Fees
Bithumb offers spot trading on between 170 and 380 cryptocurrencies, depending on which source you trust. Most of these are Korean-listed tokens or low-cap altcoins that aren't available on bigger global exchanges. There are no futures, no options, no leverage trading, and no copy trading. If you're used to Binance or Bybit, you'll feel like you're using a tool from 2018.Fees are competitive for KRW pairs: 0.04% for both makers and takers. That's lower than many global exchanges. But if you're trading in BTC or USDT pairs, fees jump to 0.1% or higher. And if you're trying to withdraw a coin that doesn't have much volume? Expect delays - sometimes up to 72 hours.
The platform does support TradingView charts and has a public API for automated trading. But the mobile app is the only way to trade - there's no desktop version. And the app? It's clunky. Users report lag during market spikes, and withdrawals often take days even when the network is clear.
Security and Regulation
This is where Bithumb shines - if you're in Korea. It holds 98.7% of user funds in cold storage, has ISMS, ISO27001, and BS10012 certifications, and was named an "excellent cyber crisis response company" by the Korea Internet & Security Agency in 2020. South Korea's Financial Services Commission (FSC) tightly regulates all exchanges, and Bithumb complies fully. That means real-name banking, strict KYC, and government oversight.That level of regulation is rare globally. Most international exchanges don't have this kind of government-backed compliance. But it comes at a cost: you can't use Bithumb unless you're a Korean resident. Even if you have a Korean passport but live abroad, you'll likely be blocked unless you can prove you're physically in Korea during verification.
Why International Users Get Locked Out
Let’s be clear: Bithumb doesn’t want international users. It’s not that they’re bad at localization - they’ve chosen not to do it. Reddit threads from September 2025 show dozens of users from Canada, Germany, and the U.S. trying to sign up. Every single one failed KYC. One user in New Zealand tried using his Korean friend’s ID. His account was frozen within 48 hours. Bithumb’s system checks IP addresses, device fingerprints, and bank details. If anything looks off - even if you're just traveling - your account gets flagged.Customer support doesn’t help. The only way to contact them is through the website’s 1:1 inquiry form or email ([email protected]). Both are in Korean. No English-speaking agents. No chatbot translation. No workaround. Even if you pay for a Korean translator, the support team still won’t help you unless you have a Korean RRN.
How It Compares to Other Korean Exchanges
Bithumb isn’t alone in Korea. Upbit and Coinone are its main rivals. Upbit has slightly higher daily volume - around $2.5 billion - and a cleaner interface. Coinone is smaller but has better mobile UX. Bithumb leads in user count and market depth for KRW pairs, but none of them offer anything international users can use.Compared to global giants like Binance or Coinbase, Bithumb is a local player. Binance supports 190 countries and 15 languages. Coinbase works in 49 countries with full English support. Bithumb? Zero international language options. Zero foreign KYC support. Zero global reach.
Is Bithumb Safe?
Yes - but only for Koreans. The security is top-tier by Korean standards. The platform has never suffered a major hack. Its cold storage practices are among the best in Asia. Financial reports are published twice a year and show $1.2 billion in net assets as of Q2 2025.But safety isn’t just about cold wallets. It’s about access. If you're not Korean, you can't even get in the door. That’s not a security feature - it’s a barrier. And if you're a Korean living abroad, you’re stuck. You can’t log in from overseas without triggering fraud alerts. Even if you use a VPN, your account will likely be suspended.
What’s New in 2025?
Bithumb released version 3.8.1 of its app in September 2025. The update fixed a few bugs in the Korean interface and improved KRW deposit speed. There were no changes to language support, international access, or trading tools. The company hasn’t announced any plans to expand outside Korea. Analysts at Traders Union say they don’t expect any major changes until South Korea revises its capital control laws - which isn’t likely before 2027.Who Should Use Bithumb?
If you’re a Korean citizen or resident with a Korean bank account and RRN - Bithumb is one of the best choices you have. It’s reliable, secure, and has deep liquidity for KRW trading.If you’re not Korean - skip it. You won’t get past registration. Even if you somehow do, you’ll be stuck with a half-translated app, no support, and no way to withdraw funds without a Korean ID. There are better options for everyone else: Binance, Kraken, Coinbase, or KuCoin. All of them support English, global KYC, and international withdrawals.
Bithumb is not a bad exchange. It’s just not for you - unless you live in Seoul, Busan, or Daegu.
Can I use Bithumb if I'm not from South Korea?
No. Bithumb requires a Korean resident registration number (RRN), a Korean phone number, and a Korean bank account to open an account. Even if you have a Korean passport but live abroad, you’ll likely be blocked during KYC. The platform does not support international users, and attempts to bypass these rules result in account freezes.
Does Bithumb have an English version?
No. The entire platform - website, app, help center, and customer support - is in Korean. Some buttons or menu items may be translated to English, but the core interface is not. There are no official English guides, tutorials, or documentation available as of November 2025.
What cryptocurrencies can I trade on Bithumb?
Bithumb supports between 170 and 380 cryptocurrencies, mostly Korean-listed tokens and low-cap altcoins. Popular coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Cardano are available, but many are only tradable against Korean won (KRW), not USDT or BTC. There are no futures, options, or margin trading.
Are Bithumb’s fees high?
Fees are low for KRW pairs - just 0.04% for both maker and taker. But for non-KRW pairs like BTC/USDT, fees rise to 0.1% or more. Withdrawal fees vary by coin and are often higher than on global exchanges. Liquidity issues can also lead to slippage on smaller tokens.
Is Bithumb regulated?
Yes - but only under South Korean law. Bithumb is licensed and regulated by South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC). It holds ISMS, ISO27001, and BS10012 certifications. This makes it one of the most secure exchanges in Asia - but also means it’s legally restricted to Korean residents only.
Can I use Bithumb on my desktop computer?
No. Bithumb has no dedicated desktop application. You must use the mobile app (Android or iOS) or the web version through a browser. The web interface is basic and lacks advanced charting tools compared to global platforms.
How long does withdrawal take on Bithumb?
Withdrawals usually take 2-5 seconds during normal conditions. But during high volatility, users report delays of up to 72 hours. This is especially common for lesser-known tokens or during Korean market spikes. KRW withdrawals via bank transfer can take 1-3 business days.
Does Bithumb offer 2FA?
Yes, but only for Korean users. The app supports two-factor authentication (2FA) via Google Authenticator or SMS. However, international users who somehow bypass KYC report that 2FA is either missing or non-functional. This inconsistency suggests regional differences in feature rollout.
sky 168
November 22, 2025 AT 03:47Bithumb is only for Koreans. If you're not one, just use Binance. Done.
Dexter Guarujá
November 22, 2025 AT 04:53Of course it's for Koreans. Why would a Korean exchange cater to Americans who think they deserve access to everything? We don't let them use our banks, why should we let them trade on our exchange? This isn't a global democracy, it's a national financial system. Get over it.
Norm Waldon
November 23, 2025 AT 12:15They're not just blocking foreigners-they're protecting us from Western crypto scammers. I read a thread where a guy from Canada tried to use his cousin's RRN. Within 48 hours, Bithumb froze his account AND flagged his IP for surveillance. This isn't exclusion-it's national defense. The FSC isn't playing games. They know what's coming.
Devon Bishop
November 25, 2025 AT 11:43just wanted to say i tried signing up last month from california. got through the phone verify but then the rrn thing blocked me. i thought maybe i could fake it with a friend's id but then my account got flagged for 'suspicious device fingerprint'. honestly? i'm glad. i'd rather not get locked out of my own money. the app is a mess anyway.
sammy su
November 26, 2025 AT 15:22if you're outside korea, don't waste your time. there are so many better options that actually speak english. binance, kraken, coinbase-they work. bithumb? it's like trying to use a microwave with only korean buttons. you can't even find the 'start' button.
Khalil Nooh
November 27, 2025 AT 20:17Let me be crystal clear: Bithumb is not broken-it’s intentional. This is a sovereign financial fortress. And you know what? That’s beautiful. In a world where every exchange is a data-harvesting casino, Bithumb says, ‘This is ours.’ No global exploitation. No foreign speculators. Just Koreans, trading Korean won, on Korean terms. Respect that. Don’t resent it.
jack leon
November 29, 2025 AT 17:13Imagine walking into a temple where the prayers are whispered in a language you don’t know, the priests won’t speak to you, and the doors are locked with a key only born on the peninsula. That’s Bithumb. And honestly? I respect it. It’s not a platform-it’s a cultural artifact. The world wants everything open-sourced and globalized. But some things? They’re meant to stay sacred.
Chris G
November 30, 2025 AT 00:33They don't even have a desktop app? That's insane in 2025. No charting tools, no API docs in English, no support. Just a clunky mobile app and a wall of Korean text. This isn't security, it's negligence disguised as nationalism.
Phil Taylor
November 30, 2025 AT 23:08Let’s not romanticize this. Bithumb’s ‘security’ is just regulatory capture. The FSC uses it as a tool to control capital outflow. This isn’t about safety-it’s about preventing Koreans from moving money overseas. The 98.7% cold storage? A PR stunt. The real security is the legal barrier. And it’s working. The fact that you can’t even use a VPN without getting flagged proves it.
diljit singh
December 1, 2025 AT 19:31Why even review this? It's like reviewing a fax machine in 2025. No futures, no leverage, no English, no desktop. Only Koreans can use it. So what? Who cares? Just use Binance and stop wasting time on this dead platform.
Abhishek Anand
December 3, 2025 AT 00:18The real question isn't whether Bithumb is accessible-it's whether accessibility is a virtue. In a world where everything is flattened into algorithmic sameness, Bithumb resists. It says: some things belong to a place. Not to the market. Not to the global elite. To the people who live there. This isn't exclusion-it's belonging. And perhaps, in our hyper-connected age, that’s the most radical act left.
vinay kumar
December 3, 2025 AT 05:58they dont even have english support? how is this still alive? nobody uses this outside korea. its like using a flip phone to trade bitcoin. just move on
Lara Ross
December 3, 2025 AT 15:10To everyone saying Bithumb is ‘nationalist’ or ‘exclusionary’-stop. This isn’t about gatekeeping. It’s about sovereignty. South Korea built a financial system that protects its citizens from predatory global capital. That’s not arrogance-it’s wisdom. If you’re not Korean, you don’t get to play. And that’s okay. There are plenty of platforms built for you. Use them. Don’t demand access to what was never yours.
Leisa Mason
December 4, 2025 AT 21:52Let’s be real-this isn’t security, it’s economic isolationism wrapped in a certification badge. ISO27001 doesn’t make a platform good if it’s designed to exclude 99% of the world. And the fact that they don’t even bother translating their help center? That’s not cultural pride-it’s laziness disguised as policy. If you can’t scale globally, you’re not a leader. You’re a relic.
Rob Sutherland
December 4, 2025 AT 23:04It’s funny how we assume every platform should be global. But maybe some things are meant to be local. Bithumb isn’t failing because it doesn’t serve the world-it’s succeeding because it serves Korea. Maybe we need more platforms like this. Not every tool needs to be universal. Some are meant to be deeply, beautifully, intimately local.
Tim Lynch
December 6, 2025 AT 09:40There’s a quiet dignity in Bithumb’s refusal. In a world obsessed with growth at all costs, it says: we will not expand. We will not dilute. We will not compromise our laws for your convenience. That’s not arrogance. That’s integrity. The real tragedy isn’t that you can’t use it-it’s that you can’t understand why it exists.
Melina Lane
December 7, 2025 AT 04:58if you're outside korea, just use coinbase. it's easy, it works, and it doesn't make you feel like you're trying to hack a government system just to buy btc. seriously. no need to fight this battle.