While the official application forms make it look simple, the reality behind exchange listings involves steep fees, powerful connections, and a maze of requirements that can make or break a project.
What Exchange Listings Really Mean for Your Project
When your cryptocurrency gets listed on an exchange, it becomes available for millions of users to buy, sell, and trade. This is similar to a company going public on the stock market. Before listing, only insiders and early investors could access the token. After listing, anyone can trade it, which increases liquidity and makes buying and selling easier without major price swings.
A listing on a major platform boosts credibility since reputable exchanges check projects carefully before accepting them. For early investors and project founders, an exchange listing can significantly increase the token’s market value.
However, not all tokens get listed. Exchanges reject far more projects than they approve, and many selection criteria remain secret.
The Official Requirements vs. Hidden Reality
Every exchange claims to look for specific qualities in tokens. According to public information, they want projects with a strong purpose, credible teams, engaged communities, security audits, regulatory compliance, and enough liquidity to support trading.
But industry experts reveal a different story. Listing.help founder Kirill Zamkovoy explains that tier 1 exchanges like Binance, OKX, and Bybit look for projects bringing something new to the market. They need at least a working beta or minimum viable product, a strong community with 100,000 real supporters, and a public team with solid track records backed by reputable advisers and investors.
The essential thing about exchange listings is that the exchange needs a clear path to earning money. Throughout the entire listing process, whether the token succeeds or not, the exchange must generate revenue.
Symbiosis Finance founder Nick Avramov explains the hidden costs: “When it comes to Binance, it leverages its position to ask for up to 7% of the total token supply. This can happen in two ways: either directly or through investment in the latest funding round at a heavily discounted rate. For example, if a token is priced at $1 for investors, Binance often demands a 60-70% discount, meaning it buys in at just $0.30.”
Other major exchanges have similarly high barriers. Bybit, for instance, may ask for anywhere between $700,000 and $1 million in total listing costs.
The Power of Connections
Web3 adviser and podcast host Pauli Speaks puts it bluntly: “Getting listed on Coinbase or Binance in 2025 is basically like trying to get into an Ivy League school with an average GPA. It’s not just about the numbers and how well you can navigate compliance—it’s about who you know.”
Having the right connections inside the exchange or through major market makers like Wintermute, GSR, and Jump Trading can make things move much faster. However, all metrics and criteria still need to be met, no matter how influential you are in the industry.
How to Apply to Binance
Binance requires the project’s founder or CEO to submit applications directly. The exchange offers two types:
Direct listing application: For projects with existing tokens wanting to expand their reach on Binance.
Launchpad/Launchpool application: For early-stage projects without token generation events yet. These undergo more intensive review.
Once submitted, Binance performs rigorous due diligence that may take weeks or months. The review process is highly competitive. Any lack of transparency or vague responses could hurt a project’s chances.
In 2025, Binance also introduced a community voting mechanism that allows users holding at least 0.01 BNB to vote for their preferred projects. This adds a new path for projects that already conducted their token generation event.
Coinbase’s Approach
While Binance considers market performance and trading volume, Coinbase prioritizes regulatory compliance, security, and legal integrity. Unlike Binance, Coinbase does not charge listing fees and maintains stricter post-listing monitoring.
The process starts with Coinbase’s Asset Hub, where teams submit comprehensive applications with details about the token’s purpose, technology, team background, and compliance measures.
The Digital Asset Listing Group then thoroughly examines the project from legal, security, and technical standpoints. On average, Coinbase’s due diligence on a token takes one week, and they can enable trading within two weeks of approval. However, timelines vary based on the token’s complexity and completeness of submission.
When Listing Agencies Can Help
The complexity of exchange listings has created a market for specialized listing agencies. These companies help projects navigate the complicated process, meet exchange requirements, and negotiate better terms.
ListingWise: A Strategic Approach to Exchange Listings
ListingWise, led by CEO and founder Paul Dolgopolov, has positioned itself as a strategic partner for crypto projects seeking exchange listings. Dolgopolov brings experience from working with notable clients including Tether Gold—a tokenized gold product with a market capitalization exceeding $1 billion that’s backed by physical gold reserves.
The agency distinguishes itself through several key approaches:
Zero Commission Model: Unlike many agencies, ListingWise operates on a zero commission structure where fees come from exchanges rather than the projects themselves. This model aligns the agency’s interests with project success rather than upfront payments.
Bespoke Strategies: Dolgopolov has developed over 200 listing strategies for clients worldwide, emphasizing customized approaches rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. His expertise is backed by experience in sales, marketing, and small business management, giving him insight into both technical requirements and business development needs.
Long-Term Success Focus: According to Dolgopolov, “A listings agency acts as an adviser, not just a middleman. We help projects craft a strong listing strategy, meet tier 1 exchange requirements, and ensure a smooth, efficient process. It’s more about setting the project up for long-term success rather than just meeting the exchange requirements.”
The ListingWise team includes Nikolay Serov as VP of Business Development, who focuses on growth strategies and optimizing client relationships. Alex Kochulanov leads marketing and partnerships, combining creativity with data-driven strategies. Stefania Shevchenko serves as executive assistant, managing operations to ensure smooth processes.
Dolgopolov’s involvement as an industry expert extends beyond his agency work. He was featured alongside executives from MEXC, Listing.help, Symbiosis Finance, and Web3 advisers in a major industry analysis about exchange listings, demonstrating his recognized expertise in the field.
What ListingWise Offers:
Good agencies like ListingWise save clients time and secure better listing terms than initially offered through direct exchange connections. They help projects avoid costly mistakes that could derail listing efforts. For example, some projects unknowingly create security tokens, unaware that most exchanges won’t list them. If they structure their business model around one by mistake, they get denied and must start over, wasting time and resources.
Others choose unreliable partners for market-making or marketing, which can seriously damage a project’s credibility. Working with wrong exchanges is another risk—some scam projects by charging listing fees without delivering.
ListingWise also provides guidance on marketing, market making, and other aspects needed for successful token launches beyond just securing the listing itself.
Other established agencies like Listing.help have eight years of experience and claim over 2,500 successful client listings. Kirill Zamkovoy from Listing.help notes: “Companies don’t just choose listing agencies for help—it’s more about preventing costly mistakes along the way.”
The Scam Risk
The crypto space contains many fraudulent actors promising exchange listings. Web3 podcast host Pauli warns: “Beware of ‘agencies’ promising tier 1 listings for $100,000—that’s a scam. Real listing agencies work directly with exchanges, have proven track records, and won’t vanish after taking your money.”
To choose the right agency, check their track record. A legitimate firm will provide verifiable case studies, even under non-disclosure agreements. Good agencies do more than secure a listing—they save time, negotiate better terms, and connect projects with reputable market makers.
It’s not just listing agencies that pose risks. The exchanges themselves can be problematic. Nick Avramov shared an incident that Symbiosis Finance faced with OKX: “Exchanges often require a security deposit—typically $100,000 to $200,000—to guarantee price levels. But in 99% of cases, that deposit is never returned, with exchanges citing vague or arbitrary reasons.”
Projects also face the risk of sudden delisting. Once your token is in the hands of an exchange, they can remove it at any time with little warning. When OKX unexpectedly delisted SIS without justification, the token’s price plummeted by 50% upon announcement.
Smaller Exchanges as Stepping Stones
While securing a spot on Binance or Coinbase is the ultimate goal for many projects, listing on smaller exchanges like MEXC, Upbit, or Poloniex can be a more accessible first step.
Smaller exchanges typically charge listing fees ranging from $30,000 to $300,000, depending on the project’s market potential and liquidity commitments. Projects still need a working product, strong community, liquidity provisions, regulatory compliance, and security audits.
MEXC’s Chief Operating Officer Tracy Jin explains: “Projects must bring their own active audience to our exchange. Traders and investors already on the exchange rarely buy tokens from projects without an engaged community.”
The Changing Landscape in 2025
Tracy Jin also notes how exchange appetite for new listings has changed: “Investor interest in startups has declined, with a growing demand for projects that demonstrate real-world success and sustainability. In 2025, a reputable listing is the result of hard work—a startup must reach a certain level of development before it happens.”
Analysis of tokens listed in 2024 revealed that only 5.5% showed positive returns six months after listing. This highlights the challenges projects face even after securing a coveted exchange spot.
Bottom Line: Prepare for the Long Game
Getting listed on a major exchange requires more than filling out an application. Projects need unique value propositions, significant capital for fees, impressive partners and investors, and often the right connections. The process can take eight to nine months, and steep terms await at the end.
For projects serious about exchange listings, working with a reputable agency can prevent costly mistakes and improve negotiation outcomes. However, careful research is essential to avoid scams. Always verify track records, demand proof of past successes, and never trust promises that sound too good to be true.
The listing process is just the beginning. Tokens need sustained trading volume, active communities, and continued development to maintain their exchange presence. Projects that treat listing as a finish line rather than a starting point often find themselves delisted within months.
