Check 6–10: Security Features Every Safe Crypto Exchange Must Have

Do these 5 checks to see if an exchange looks legit before you create an account.

Check 1-5: Is This Crypto Exchange Legit and Regulated?

If you are new to crypto, you want one simple answer: is this exchange legit? This guide shows how to know if a crypto exchange is legit and regulated using five easy checks. No complex legal words. Just practical steps you can do in a few minutes.

Important: Regulated can mean different things in different countries. These checks do not guarantee safety, but they help you avoid obvious scams and risky platforms.

Check 1: Real company identity (who runs this?)

A legit exchange usually shows a real legal company name and basic contact details. If you cannot find who owns it, it is hard to trust it with your money.

• Look for: legal entity name, country/jurisdiction, support email, and complete legal pages.
• Red flag: no company details, anonymous team, or only a Telegram/WhatsApp contact.

Check 2: Verify regulated or licensed claims

Many sites say licensed and regulated on the homepage. That sentence alone is not proof. A safer exchange explains where it is regulated and which authority it follows. This is a beginner-friendly crypto exchange license check.

Quick test: search the website for License, Regulation, Compliance, Legal, or About. If it claims a license, it should give details you can verify (country + regulator + registration info).

Check 3: Search for official warnings and repeated complaints

Before you deposit, do a simple search. This helps you spot platforms with a history of problems. Try these searches:

• "EXCHANGE NAME" warning
• "EXCHANGE NAME" regulator alert
• "EXCHANGE NAME" blocked withdrawal
• "EXCHANGE NAME" customer support problem

One angry comment is normal. But a pattern of the same story (withdrawals blocked, surprise fees, pay to unlock) is a strong reason to avoid it.

Check 4: Clear rules (fees, limits, withdrawals, and verification)

Legit platforms usually publish rules clearly. You should be able to find: fees, deposit methods, withdrawal limits, and verification steps. If the rules are hidden or confusing, it is harder to trust the service.

• Look for: a fee page, withdrawal policy, and help pages that explain limits and timelines.
• Red flag: no withdrawal info, unclear fees, or constant temporary maintenance excuses.

Check 5: No pressure tactics (it should feel calm and professional)

A real exchange acts like a serious service, not a casino. Be careful if you see pressure to deposit fast or promises that sound too good to be true.

• Countdown timers or deposit now popups.
• Bonuses that trap you (you must deposit more to withdraw).
• Support asking for sensitive info (seed phrase, private keys, remote access).
• Only strange payment methods (gift cards, crypto-only, activation fees).

What good looks like: clear identity, clear rules, normal messaging, and support that answers your questions without pressure.

Simple score (fast decision)

Give the exchange 1 point for each check it passes. Total = 0 to 5.

4-5 Continue - Move to Part 3 (security features).

2-3 Compare - Check 2-3 other exchanges first.

0-1 Avoid - Too many unknowns or red flags.

Prev: Safety Checklist Next: Security Features Checklist

FAQ: Legit and regulated crypto exchange checks

How do I know if a crypto exchange is legit and regulated?

Use five checks: real company identity, verifiable license/regulation claims, no official warnings, clear rules (fees and withdrawals), and no pressure tactics.

Is licensed and regulated on the homepage enough?

No. Look for details you can verify: the country/jurisdiction and which authority or framework they follow. If it is vague, treat it as a warning sign.

What is the biggest red flag when checking legitimacy?

Withdrawal issues. If many users report blocked withdrawals or extra payments to withdraw, avoid the platform.

What should I do if I am not sure?

Compare 2-3 exchanges using Part 1 and this page, then start with a small test deposit and a small withdrawal.