🪪 KYC Know Your Customer
The identity-verification step that exchanges use to confirm you are who you say you are — usually a quick ID photo and selfie. Also called "identity verification" or simply "ID check."
🏪 In plain terms — opening a bank account
When you open a bank account you hand over your ID card so the bank knows who you are. KYC on a crypto exchange works exactly the same way. The exchange needs to confirm your identity before it will open a trading account for you. Typically you upload a photo of your government-issued ID and a selfie — one time, and you are done. Once approved, you rarely need to repeat the process.
🛡️ Why does it matter?
- 🧼 It stops money laundering and criminal funds from flowing through exchanges
- 👤 It reduces identity theft and account fraud, protecting all users
- ⚖️ It is a legal requirement in most countries — exchanges that skip it can be shut down
🏦 That is why you usually need to complete KYC before you can buy or sell on a crypto exchange.
🆚 Easy to confuse — KYC vs. your passwords
| KYC | Password / Seed phrase | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Proof of your real-world identity | The key to your wallet or account |
| Who you give it to | The official exchange — once | Nobody — ever |
| Nature | Identity registration (routine process) | Top secret |
🔑 Uploading your ID for KYC is completely normal. But if anyone asks for your seed phrase or password as part of "KYC," that is not KYC — it is a scam.
🚨 Watch out — things to be careful about
- ✅ Only submit your ID through the official app or official website (check the URL carefully)
- 🚫 A link in a text or messaging app asks for your ID → likely phishing
- 🚫 "KYC verification" step asks for your seed phrase or password → 100% scam
- ⚠️ Exchanges with no identity verification at all may operate outside the law — your funds could get frozen
❓ FAQ
- Why do I have to complete KYC?
- It is a legally required process designed to prevent money laundering, fraud, and identity theft. Most legitimate exchanges will not let you deposit, withdraw, or trade until you have passed identity verification.
- Is my personal data safe after KYC?
- Regulated exchanges are legally obligated to protect your information, but no system is 100% risk-free. Only submit your ID on a trusted, regulated exchange — always through the official app or website, never via a link sent in a message.
- Are there exchanges with no KYC?
- Yes, but we do not recommend them. Exchanges that skip identity checks are likely operating outside regulations, and users often find their funds frozen or withdrawals blocked without warning.