Understanding Account Restrictions

Modified on Tue, Nov 26 at 2:41 PM


To maintain safe conditions within the Paxful marketplace, we take action on accounts that violate any of our Terms of Service. These actions will have a status that restricts the use of Paxful.


  • If your account is locked, you temporarily won’t be able to log in to your Paxful account—this could be because you logged in from a new location, or we may have detected suspicious activity, so it’s been locked to keep you safe. For more information, take a look at this article.

  • If your account is frozenyou can’t buy or sell on Paxful, and you can’t withdraw any funds. 

  • If your account is on hold, it is restricted for some time for further review. After the period expires, you can withdraw any funds in your wallet. If your account is not ID-verified, you’ll be required to verify your ID before you can withdraw any funds.

  • If your account is banned, you are permanently restricted from buying and selling. However, you will still be able to do a one-time withdrawal of all your funds from your Paxful account and send it to any wallet address you choose. If you’re from a country that we are currently not servicing, or if you have reached your wallet send-out limit, you’ll be required to verify your ID before you can withdraw your funds. 



We’d like to set proper expectations for the following:

  • In some cases, an applicable law or regulation will prevent us from explaining why we had to close or freeze an account.

  • We also conduct periodic internal reviews of restricted, banned, and temporary restrictions of accounts, as we acknowledge that situations change and continuous review is essential to ensuring fairness and accuracy. This proactive approach ensures that accounts that no longer pose a risk to the platform or other users can have their restrictions lifted if permitted under the law.


How do I remove the restriction?

Account restrictions, such as being Banned are not reversible; therefore, the actions are final.

However, if your account is frozen, first check your email for information and then contact Support to figure out the next steps for an appeal.

If your account is locked, please take a look at this article for steps on how to unlock it.



FAQs for US Users


Can I still withdraw my funds?

  • Yes, you can withdraw the remaining funds from your account. Please log in here and indicate an external crypto wallet address to which you’d like to transfer the funds.


What will happen to my active trades and disputes?

  • Disputes will be handled as business as usual. If we need additional proof, you will receive an email. 


Can I use a VPN to access Paxful in the US?

  • While using a VPN or proxy might temporarily allow access, it violates the terms of service and will lead to account suspension. 


Why is Paxful unavailable in the US?

  • Paxful may be restricted in your country due to regulatory, legal, or compliance reasons. This can include government regulations, trade sanctions, or restrictions on certain types of technology or services in specific regions.

Can I use Paxful if I move to a supported country?

  • If you move to a country where the Paxful is available, you may gain access. Please contact our support team for further assistance.


For any additional questions, please check out this article: Unsupported Countries and States, or contact our Support team.