Why can't I open a Mercury account?

The usual reasons: your company isn't formed in the US or a US territory, you live in a country on Mercury's prohibited list, or your business is in a category Mercury doesn't serve, such as money services businesses, crypto exchanges, cannabis or internet gambling. As of October 2026, its list of prohibited countries includes Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Ukraine and Vietnam, plus sanctioned countries.

From Mercury alternatives for founders outside the US or in its restricted countries, by . Updated .

The wider picture

The key points from the guide this answer comes from:

  1. Mercury opens accounts only for companies formed and registered in the US or a US territory, and not for founders who live in the countries on its prohibited list, which includes Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Ukraine and Vietnam.
  2. If you have a US company, Wise Business, Airwallex and Revolut Business also open accounts for US-registered companies, with more currencies than Mercury's USD-only accounts.
  3. If your company is registered outside the US, you don't need to form one to get US account details: Wise Business, Airwallex, Payoneer and Align give USD details to eligible companies abroad.
  4. Align fits companies paid in USDC or USDT, or that need named EUR, GBP and AED accounts alongside USD. Mercury holds fiat only.

More questions on this

The full guide

Mercury opens accounts only for US-registered companies, not for founders living in its prohibited countries, and holds USD only. US companies can look at Wise Business, Airwallex or Revolut Business; companies registered elsewhere can get USD details from Wise, Airwallex, Payoneer or Align.

Read Mercury alternatives for founders outside the US or in its restricted countries, with its sources.

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and providers' terms change; check the sources in the guide and take advice on your own situation.

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