How to Get Listed on Binance & Coinbase: Costs & Requirements (2025 Guide)

Crypto Exchange Tiers play a crucial role in determining the right platform for traders, investors, and projects looking to get listed. Crypto exchanges are divided into Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3, each with different levels of liquidity, security, and listing requirements. While Tier 1 exchanges like Binance and Coinbase offer the highest credibility, they have strict requirements and high costs, whereas Tier 2 and Tier 3 exchanges provide easier access but come with trade-offs in liquidity and security. In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between these crypto exchange tiers, their listing requirements, and what it takes to get your token on a top-tier exchange.

Listing Costs & Fees

Direct Listing Fees

• Binance: The listing fee varies but has been reported to be anywhere from $100,000 to $1M+ (though Binance claims it donates fees to charity).
• Coinbase: Does not openly charge a listing fee but may require projects to cover due diligence and compliance costs.
• Other A-tier exchanges (Kraken, OKX, etc.): Costs range from $100,000 to $500,000+, depending on the project.

Market-Making & Liquidity Requirements

• Most exchanges require projects to provide liquidity (often through market makers) to ensure smooth trading.
• Some demand liquidity deposits (sometimes refundable), usually between $1M–$5M worth of tokens.

Technical & Security Requirements

• Smart contract audit (CertiK, OpenZeppelin, or Trail of Bits are explicitly preferred auditors).
• Code review to prevent vulnerabilities or exploits.
• Robust security measures to prevent rug pulls or hacks.

Regulatory Compliance & Legal Requirements

• Must comply with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer) regulations.
• Projects undergo a risk assessment to ensure they are not securities (especially in the U.S. due to SEC scrutiny).
• Some jurisdictions (e.g., the U.S., EU) may require additional licensing or disclosures.

Business Viability & Team Credibility

• Strong whitepaper, roadmap, and use case are necessary.
• Well-documented tokenomics (no extreme pre-mine, fair distribution).
• Experienced team with a public presence (anonymous teams face higher rejection rates).
• Established partnerships and VC backing (Sequoia, a16z, etc., help significantly).

Examples for Exchange-Specific Factors

Binance

• Binance prefers projects with strong user communities and high trading volumes (even on smaller exchanges).
• They sometimes acquire tokens before listing to ensure liquidity.

Coinbase

• Coinbase is more selective and focuses on compliance and regulatory approval (e.g., SEC-friendly tokens).
• Prefers assets with real-world utility over memecoins.

Kraken, OKX, Bybit

• Kraken is known for strict compliance and transparency.
• OKX and Bybit tend to list more altcoins and have slightly lower requirements than Binance or Coinbase.

Application & Review Process

• Listing & Promotion – Once approved, the token is announced and often goes through an Initial Exchange Offering (IEO) or a staged rollout.

• Application Submission – Projects must apply via the exchange’s official listing form.

• Internal Review – The exchange conducts due diligence, evaluating security, legal compliance, and market demand.

• Negotiation & Agreement – If accepted, the project negotiates fees, market-making obligations, and PR/marketing strategies.

• Technical Integration – The exchange tests the token contract and prepares liquidity setup.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Tier 1 🔥	Tier 2 ⚡	Tier 3 🛑
Liquidity	Very High	Medium	Low
Security	Strong	Decent	Weak
Compliance	Highly Regulated	Partially Regulated	Unregulated
Listing Costs	$100K – $1M+	$50K – $500K	$5K – $100K
Risk Level	Low	Medium	High
New Token Listings	Rare & Selective	Easier but Selective	Very Easy

Examples for Certain Tier 1-3 Exchanges

Tier 1 Exchanges (Top-Tier / A-Tier)

These crypto exchange tiers include the largest, most liquid, and therefore most reputable platforms.. They certainly have the highest regulatory compliance, the toughest listing requirements, and the best security.

Examples of Tier 1 Exchanges

1. Binance (Global leader, highest liquidity, top trading volume)
2. Coinbase (Best for U.S. regulatory compliance)
3. Kraken (Regulated, strong compliance)
4. OKX (High liquidity and furthermore strong Asian market presence)
5. Bybit (Strong derivatives trading platform)
6. Bitfinex (High-volume exchange, but somewhat controversial)
7. Crypto.com (Growing in adoption, significantly strong fiat support)
8. Bitstamp (One of the oldest regulated exchanges in Europe)
9. Gate.io (A mix of Tier 1/Tier 2, high number of listings)

Pros: High security, deep liquidity, institutional support, fiat on/off ramps
Cons: Strict listing requirements, high costs, regulatory scrutiny

Tier 2 Exchanges (Mid-Tier)

These are still large and reputable but may have slightly lower liquidity, fewer regulatory restrictions, and a more flexible listing process.

Examples of Tier 2 Exchanges

1. KuCoin (Popular for altcoins, strong liquidity)
2. Nexo (CeFi Lending Platform with Exchange Features)
3. Whitebit (Strong in Europe, Good Liquidity, Expanding Fast)
4. Huobi (Previously Tier 1 but lost ground due to regulatory issues)
5. MEXC Global (Lists many new tokens, strong Asian market presence)
6. Bitget (Strong in derivatives, fast-growing)
7. Upbit (Leading exchange in South Korea)
8. LBank (Many low-cap listings, good for emerging projects)
9. Bithumb (South Korea-focused, good liquidity)
10. Coincheck (Popular in Japan, regulatory compliance)
11. Poloniex (Old but still relevant)

Pros: Easier listings, still good liquidity, more altcoin-friendly
Cons: Less secure than Tier 1, occasional regulatory risks

Tier 3 Exchanges (Low-Tier)

These exchanges have significantly lower liquidity, less regulatory oversight, and are often used by new or lower-cap projects.

Examples of Tier 3 Exchanges

1. Hotbit (Frequent shutdowns, risky exchange)
2. ProBit (Low-volume but good for new listings)
3. XT.com (Many small-cap coins, questionable volume)
4. Vindax (Low transparency, often used by early-stage tokens)
5. LATOKEN (Fast listings but poor reputation)
6. DigiFinex (Low trading activity, smaller user base)
7. Bibox (Lots of trading bots, not much real liquidity)
8. Coinsbit (Lower-tier exchange with minor user base)

Pros: Especially easy to get listed, good for new projects trying to build credibility
Cons: Besides low security and possible fake volumes there is also risk of sudden shutdowns