At its core, a token listing means that your cryptocurrency becomes available for trading

This article aims to get to the bottom of what it takes to get a cryptocurrency token listed on a centralized (CEX) or decentralized exchange (DEX)

At its core, a token listing means that your cryptocurrency becomes available for trading on a centralized (CEX) or decentralized exchange (DEX). Think of it like a company going public on the stock market – before that, its shares were private, available only to insiders and early investors.

Once a company is listed on the stock market, anyone can buy and sell its shares, increasing liquidity, visibility and investor confidence. The same applies to crypto tokens.

A listing on a major exchange like Binance or Coinbase opens the doors for your token to be traded by millions of users. It provides liquidity, meaning people can easily buy and sell your token without major price fluctuations. It also boosts credibility, as reputable exchanges conduct due diligence before listing a project. For early investors and project founders, an exchange listing can also significantly increase the token’s market value, making it a crucial step for growth.

But not all tokens get listed. Exchanges have strict criteria for accepting new assets, and they reject far more projects than they approve. Many of these criteria are also under wraps.

Today, with the help of five industry experts – MEXC chief operating officer Tracy Jin, Listing.help founder Kirill Zamkovoy, Symbiosis Finance founder Nick Avramov, ListingWise CEO Paul Dolgopolov, and Web3 adviser and podcast host Pauli Speaks – this article aims to get to the bottom of what it takes to get listed.

What exchanges are supposed to look for in a token

Let’s start with the information you’ll find through open sources. Every exchange has its own review process, but they generally assess tokens based on these key factors:

Of course, that is what Google will tell you.

What exchanges actually look for in a token

In the words of Listing.help’s Zamkovoy:

“The most sought-after Tier 1 exchanges – Binance, OKX and Bybit – look for projects that bring something new to the market, not just another copy of existing ideas. To stand a chance, a project must have at least a beta or MVP ready for demonstration, a strong and active community with at least 100,000 real supporters (not just airdrop hunters), and a public, experienced team with a solid track record, backed by reputable advisers, funds and investors.”

While Zamkovoy’s insights align with much of what we find online, there’s a deeper, often-overlooked layer to exchange listings.

Cointelegraph also spoke with Symbiosis Finance’s Avramov, who elaborated on this point:

“The essential thing about exchange listings is that the exchange needs a clear path to earning. Throughout the entire listing process, whether the token’s project succeeds or not, the exchange must generate revenue.

The most obvious way is through listing fees. Tier 2 exchanges typically charge a listing fee, require a marketing allocation for future campaigns, and demand liquidity provision from the project in both its token and Tether’s USDt (USDT).

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 (‘Give us up to 7% of the total supply’) 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 $0.3. This is typically done through Yzi Ventures (formerly Binance Labs) or another affiliated entity.

Other major exchanges have similarly high barriers. Bybit, for instance, may ask for anywhere between $700,000 and $1 million in total listing costs, one way or another.

That’s the hidden part of the listing process – it’s not just about a project’s fundamentals but also about how much they are willing (or able) to pay to secure a spot on the exchange.”

In a later interview, Cointelegraph asked podcast host Pauli whether she agreed.

“Nick is absolutely right. A lot of people assume that if you have a top-tier product with strong traction, good funding and regulatory clarity, you don’t need to play games. But that’s a misconception; most projects wait eight to nine months for a response from listing managers and still end up facing these steep terms.”

Indeed, without the right financial resources, even the most innovative token might struggle to land on major exchanges.

Did you know? An analysis of tokens listed in 2024 revealed that only 5.5% showed positive returns six months post-listing, highlighting the challenges projects may face even after securing a listing.

Aside from the money, how easy is it to get listed on a tier 1 exchange?

So, with the right project and the right amount of cash, it’s as simple as filling out the form for the