Exchange sign-up: documents, fees, email or phone?

1. Separate account creation, verification and funding

Creating a login does not automatically unlock every service. Identity verification checks the account holder; a deposit funds the account. You do not need to rush into funding simply because sign-up succeeded.

Check the platform's current eligibility and product restrictions for your actual residence. If you are not eligible, stop rather than using a false location, borrowed identity or purchased account.

2. Prepare documents without oversharing

OKX's identity-verification guide describes personal information, identification, a selfie and, where applicable, address evidence. These are not identical requirements for every person or jurisdiction. Preparing documents does not guarantee approval.

Do not send full identity documents to a chat-group administrator, private 'agent' or contact found in an advertisement. Navigate to the verified platform yourself before uploading.

1. Use your own accessible email and phone number, with reliable recovery options.
2. Check which unexpired government-issued documents the local verification flow accepts.
3. Enter requested personal details consistently with your documents.
4. If a selfie or proof of address is requested, follow the official instructions for clarity, format and recency.

3. Does registration cost money?

Binance labels its official sign-up page as free account creation. That does not make later purchases, trades or withdrawals free. The OKX registration guide describes contact verification and identity checks; a stranger requesting a private payment is not evidence of a legitimate registration requirement.

Before using a service, distinguish trading fees, payment-provider charges, withdrawal fees, network costs and the difference between buy and sell quotes. Promotional discounts may depend on region, product, eligibility and expiry.

Pause if someone asks for an 'activation deposit' or payment to unlock verification. Contact support through an app or official website you independently opened. Do not send a second payment to prove the first payment was legitimate.

4. Email versus phone: choose durable control

A well-protected email account is useful for notifications and recovery, but should have its own unique password and multifactor authentication. A phone number can become inaccessible through number changes, service interruption or SIM-swap fraud.

Not every exchange offers a permanent either/or choice. OKX's current registration guide includes both email and phone verification. Follow your actual regional flow, rather than trying to avoid a required step.

1. Avoid disposable inboxes, shared accounts, borrowed numbers and rented verification codes.
2. Secure your email before linking it to a financial account.
3. Update linked contact details before retiring a number or email address; check the platform's recovery and security-hold rules.

5. What to do before a first deposit

Set up supported strong authentication, inspect active sessions and save the genuine support entry point. Then read the deposit requirements for the specific asset and network.

A referral code does not override eligibility, guarantee verification or remove every fee. This guide explains preparation and operational risks, not whether a platform or investment is suitable for you.

Frequently asked questions

Official references

• Binance account registration
• Binance free account
• OKX account registration
• OKX identity verification