An exchange account has to be opened by you, in your own name — that is the law everywhere, and it protects you: the account, and everything in it, is legally yours. Nobody from our team can open one for you, and you should never let anyone try. The good news: it takes about 15 minutes, and this guide walks through every step.

What you will need

• Your own email address and mobile phone
• Government-issued photo ID in your name (passport or driver's licence)
• Proof of address, if asked (a recent utility bill or bank statement)
• A quiet 15 minutes — do not rush the identity steps

Step by step

1. Choose a regulated exchange in your country. Pick a well-known exchange that is registered with the financial regulator where you live. Reach it by typing its address yourself, or by using an official link from this site — never a link that arrived in a random text, email or social-media message.
2. Sign up with YOUR email. Use an email account only you control. Create a long, unique password for the exchange — one you do not use anywhere else. A password manager makes this easy.
3. Verify YOUR identity. The exchange will ask for your ID and usually a selfie. This is called KYC ("know your customer") and every legitimate exchange does it. Complete it yourself, on your own device. Never send photos of your ID to a person who offers to "do it for you".
4. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). In the security settings, enable 2FA with an authenticator app. This means signing in needs your password and a fresh code from your phone. Never share a 2FA code with anyone — real support staff will never ask for one.
5. Make a small first deposit. Follow the exchange's own instructions to add funds from your bank. Start with a small amount you are comfortable with while you learn how everything works.
6. Make your first small purchase. Buy a small amount first. Check how the balance shows, how selling works, and how withdrawing works — with small numbers, while any mistake is cheap.

Where to sign up

If the business has an official referral link for an exchange, it appears below. Using it may earn the business a small referral bonus from the exchange — it costs you nothing extra.

Before you finish

• Save the exchange's real website address in your bookmarks and always use the bookmark.
• Read our 7 safety rules — five minutes now prevents almost every common loss.
• Remember: we will never ask for your exchange password, your 2FA codes, or any wallet seed phrase. Anyone who asks is not us.