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Is Gate.io accessible in France?
If you are trying to find out if Gate.io is available in France , the answer is no . The Exchange appears on the list of platforms of cryptocurrencies prohibited in France due to the regulations of the Financial Markets Authority (AMF) . However, some users try to get around this restriction using solutions such as VPNs. So why is Gate.io blocked in France? What are the risks and alternatives? Let's decipher all of this.
Table of contents
Why is Gate.io prohibited in France?
Gate.io is a cryptocurrency exchange platform founded in 2013 in China and today based in several jurisdictions, notably in Hong Kong, Dubai and Malta . It offers more than 3,600 digital stations in spot, future and other derivative products.
However, the AMF requires that any platform wishing to operate legally in France be registered as a service provider on digital assets (PSAN) . Gate.io does not hold this status and therefore chose to restrict access to French residents rather than complying with regulatory requirements.
French regulations impose on digital asset service platforms to register as service providers on digital assets (PSAN) with the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) to operate legally in France. This registration is compulsory for the following services:
- Conservation of digital assets on behalf of third parties
- Purchase or sale of digital assets in money having legal lessons
- Digital asset exchange for other digital assets
- Operation of a digital asset negotiation platform
To obtain PSAN status, platforms must meet several requirements, in particular:
- Fight against money laundering and terrorist financing (LCB-FT) : implementation of robust procedures to detect and prevent illicit activities.
- Resilient and secure IT systems : ensure the protection of customer data and assets against cyberrenchers.
- Adequate internal control system : establishing effective risk surveillance and management mechanisms.
- Conflict management procedures : guarantee the integrity and impartiality of the services provided.
- Public tariff policy : provide transparent information on applied costs and commissions.
- Segregation of assets : separate assets from customers from those of the platform to protect users' funds.
- Treatment of customer complaints : Set up an effective process to manage and resolve customer complaints.
Although Gate.io respects identity verification obligations ( KYC ) and has strengthened its LCB-FT measures in partnership with specialized companies , the platform does not seem to meet all the requirements required for recording as PSAN in France. Consequently, Gate.io is not registered with the AMF and is not authorized to offer its services on French territory.
Alternatives to Gate.io in France
Gate.io not being accessible in France due to the lack of PSAN approval, several regulated platforms allow French residents to legally trader cryptocurrencies. Here are some reliable alternatives:
The best alternatives to Gate.io in France
Binance : world leader in Exchanges , Binance PSAN approval in France, ensuring its compliance with local regulations. It offers a complete crypto offer , including trading spot, future, lever effect , as well as various financial services and an enlarged ecosystem with Stuking and Launchpad.
Bitvavo : European Exchange based in the Netherlands renowned for its transparent and competitive costs, Bitvavo offers an interface adapted to beginners and experienced traders. The platform is approved PSAN and on the AMF white list. It presents the particularity of clearly displaying the user the costs and rare applied spreats, allowing all transparency by avoiding costs that certain exchanges tend to hide.
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Coinbase : Coinbase is also PSAN and is particularly aimed at beginners with an intuitive interface, reactive customer service and simplified purchase ease. His commitment to regulation makes it a key player in the French market.
OKX : OKX offers a wide range of advanced tools, including derivative products, options and a very liquid future market. Its platform offers very competitive costs (0.1 % max) and access to a large number of cryptocurrencies.
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If you are looking for a regulated platform in France, favor exchanges with PSAN approval (Binance, Coinbase, Bitvavo, Crypto.com) to avoid any legal restriction.
Otherwise you can buy your cryptocurrencies directly from a decentralized wallet ( Metamask , Exodus, Trust Wallet ) by holding your funds directly on the blockchain.
If you do not know how to proceed, we offer our free ultra-detailed guide step by step with screenshots.
What you will learn in this guide:
✅ How to buy your first cryptocurrencies - step by step, on a centralized platform ( CEX ).
✅ Exchange and sell cryptos safely - learn to navigate an Exchange.
✅ Understand the stablecoin s - their usefulness, their differences and how to use them to secure your funds.
✅ Use a decentralized portfolio ( DeFi ) - Manage your assets out of the centralized platforms and perform transactions on the blockchain.
✅ Buy, sell and exchange cryptos directly from a decentralized Wallet - without going through a centralized exchange.
✅ Introduction to decentralized finance ( DeFi ) - Discover Staking and NFT
To receive it, fill out the form below:
Where is Gate.io accessible?
Gate.io is available in more than 165 countries , but some jurisdictions prohibit or restrict its access due to local regulations .
Country where Gate.io is available:
Although some restrictions may exist, the platform remains accessible in several regions:
- Latin America : Brazil, Peru, Mexico
- Asia : South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand
- Africa : Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria
- Europe (partially) : Italy, Poland, Portugal
Country where Gate.io is restricted or prohibited:
Depending on the conditions of use of Gate.io, several jurisdictions are considered to be "restricted rentals" , preventing their residents from accessing the services of the platform:
- North America & Europe : United States, Canada, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Austria, Spain, Malta
- Asia & Middle East : Continental China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Iran, North Korea, Syria, Indonesia, Japan, Japan
- Latin America & Africa : Venezuela, Bolivia, Argentina, Sudan
- Other areas in conflict : Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Myanmar, Ouzbekistan, Cambodia
Gate.io reserves the right to update this list at any MOME NT , depending on regulatory changes .
Gate.io holds several regulatory licenses obtained in specific jurisdictions , which allows it to operate legally in these regions. These licenses are generally required to provide cryptocurrency services to residents of the corresponding countries. However, they do not automatically give an authorization to operate internationally. Each country or region has its own regulatory framework, and a license obtained in a court does not guarantee compliance in another.
Here are the main licenses that Gate.io has obtained:
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MFSA (Malta) : Class 4 license for financial services in virtual active ingredients, allowing Gate.io to provide exchange and conservation services for digital assets to Malta.
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Austrac (Australia) : Registration as a supplier of digital currency exchange services, ensuring compliance with the obligations to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism in Australia.
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SCB (Bahamas) : Authorization issued by the Bahamas securities commission to provide trading services from cryptocurrencies in this jurisdiction.
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OAM (Italy) : Recording as a service provider on virtual assets, allowing Gate.io to operate legally in Italy.
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DMCC (Dubai) : license obtained from the Dubai Multi Commodities Center to carry out trading operations of cryptocurrencies with the United Arab Emirates.
Can we get around the restriction of Gate.io in France?
Although we did not recommend these methods, some people in France use the following solutions to access Gate.io:
1. Use a VPN
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows you to hide your IP address and simulate a connection from another country where Gate.io is accessible. Here are the steps:
- Choose a reliable VPN (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, ProtonVPN, etc.).
- Connect to a server located in an authorized country (Spain, Portugal, Morocco, etc.).
- Gate.io site .
🚨 Risks : Gate.io sometimes detects the use of VPN and can block or suspend your account in the event of non-compliance with the conditions of use.
Gate.io is worth it?
Gate.io is one of the exchanges with the widest offer of crypto-active and offers several attractive features:
✅ 3,600 cryptos listed (including ltc oins)
✅ Futures and trading on margin with lever effect
✅ NFT Marketplace
✅ Automated copytrading and trading bots
✅ Passive yields (Staking, Yield Farming, Lending)
However, the platform also has drawbacks :
❌ Not regulated in Europe
❌ Criticized customer service
❌ Little intuitive interface for beginners
Conclusion: a regulatory context to be monitored closely
Gate.io, although very popular internationally, currently has no PSAN recording in France or clear European approval. This does not necessarily mean that this is an illegal platform, but it involves increased risk taking for French users, especially in the event of a sudden litigation or change of regulation.
This vagueness is not specific to Gate.io: other platforms widely used such as Bitget , Kucoin or Mexc are today on the black list of the AMF , for lack of authorization to canvass the French public. Conversely, certain platforms strengthen their regulatory position. Kraken , for example, is recorded as PSAN , which allows him to operate legally in France. OKX , for its part, has just obtained MiCA recording in Europe , a strategic step as the application of the new regulatory framework provided for 2025 approaches.
Investments in cryptocurrencies are risky. Crypternon could not be held responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused following the use of a property or service put forward in this article. Readers must do their own research before undertaking any action and investing only within the limits of their financial capacities. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This article does not constitute an investment .
Certain links of this article are sponsorship links, which means that if you buy a product or you register via these links, we will collect a commission on the part of the sponsored company. These commissions do not train any additional cost for you as a user and certain sponsorships allow you to access promotions.
AMF recommendations. There is no guaranteed high yield, a product with high performance potential implies a high risk. This risk taking must be in line with your project, your investment horizon and your ability to lose part of this savings. Do not invest if you are not ready to lose all or part of your capital .
To go further, read our pages legal notices , privacy policy and general conditions of use .
Yohan Uzzan
Training engineer, I quickly became interested in the field of finance. Convinced that decentralized finance has a bright future ahead of it, I participate in its democratization by developing Crypternon.
