Geofencing can be used when companies face stringent regulations, such as KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements and disclosures, that they cannot meet. By blocking users from the U.S., companies can avoid potential legal complications.
Major players in the crypto industry are already using geofencing. Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange, blocks U.S. users from accessing its platform, displaying the message, "Binance.com is unavailable in your country." Similarly, Eigenlayer, an Ethereum restaking protocol, blocked users from 30 countries, including the U.S., Canada, and China, from participating in its airdrop.
Decentralized exchange Orca, based on Solana, has also restricted U.S. users from trading through its web interface. These examples illustrate how companies are adapting to the complex regulatory landscape.
While geofencing offers a potential solution, it comes with drawbacks. According to Chervinsky, it's an "extreme and costly measure." Compliance experts like GeoComply suggest that tailored geofences can help firms expand into new markets while maintaining compliance. However, the financial and operational costs of implementing such strategies can be significant.