What is a crypto exchange engine, and how is it used? A cryptocurrency exchange engine is software that regulates all operations for interacting with coins and tokens. In this article, we will analyze this important component of every crypto exchange in more detail.

What is a crypto exchange engine?

Surely, you’ve seen the “top sales” or “recommended” sections on online store pages. Such lists are produced by analyzing transaction data, comparing product ratings, and calculating order volume. A crypto exchange engine works similarly. Without it, platforms can’t process orders or maintain real-time markets.

The global cryptocurrency industry was valued at $5.70 billion in 2024 and is expected to increase to $11.71 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 13.1% between 2025 and 2030. Exchange software had the biggest market share in 2024. 

The development of software to manage the massive amounts of data generated by cryptocurrencies is expected to drive the segment’s growth by 2029. Furthermore, the expanding global demand for cryptocurrencies will increase the demand for crypto wallets and exchange software.

If you plan to implement crypto services or build a crypto exchange platform, trust the execution to experts with cryptocurrency development services by Peiko. 

How does the matching engine work?

So, let’s discuss how crypto exchange engines work. Before the assets are bought, the engine identifies matching sell orders. Later, when a buyer places an order, the system finds a seller with compatible terms. Each transaction includes protocols and order types that contribute to transparency, liquidity, and security. The engine also manages their processing and analytics.

Bid-ask spreads power crypto exchanges. Sellers want higher prices, buyers want lower ones – this difference creates the spread. Crypto exchanges profit from these spreads while their matching engines work to narrow them. Tighter spreads mean better liquidity and more efficient markets.

Types of exchanges that use a cryptocurrency exchange engine 

Therefore, crypto developers should be aware of each type of crypto exchange to create a robust trading engine. Based on security factors and components (smart protocols, KYC/AML, money transmitter licenses, etc.), all types of cryptocurrency exchanges can be classified into these categories:

1. Centralized exchange (CEX). Most common, like OKX or Coinbase. Offers high liquidity and user-friendliness but requires regulatory compliance and server-side security.
2. Decentralized exchange (DEX). Peer-to-peer (P2P) trades without intermediaries. Prioritizes privacy and transparency.
3. Hybrid exchange (HEX). Combines the speed of CEX with the transparency of DEX. 

CEX vs DEX engine models

Let’s consider the difference between the CEX and DEX engine models in the table below. You can see the pros and cons of each option.

The CEX engines’ technological capabilities are represented in the functions of order matching in memory, Redis/PostgreSQL protocols for the registry/state, and a web API (REST/WebSocket) for trading. DEX engines typically appear in AMMs (Automated Market Makers) without an order book, utilizing liquidity pools, or in DEX order books with more advanced capabilities.

Main components of a crypto exchange engine

The crypto market engine goes through the same stages of production as assembly, testing, and programming. The engine serves as the foundation for everything from NFT gaming services to decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms and digital asset trading. The components of the crypto engine may vary depending on their operation. We will discuss them in this part.

Order matching engine

The cryptocurrency exchange matching engine is the heart of the order matching engine (OME). It filters the market, displays trading pairs (BTC/Solana or ETH/USDC), and provides the user with a list of brokers. Here’s how OME usually works:

• A new order is submitted through the trading interface or API;
• The engine searches the order book for compatible orders;
• If a match is found, the transaction is completed and documented;
• If a match isn’t found, the order will stay open until matched or cancelled.

The OME promotes fairness by prioritizing both price and time. The latency and speed of the matching engine have major implications for precise execution, particularly among high-volume traders.

Order book

An order book resembles a computerized catalog of all purchase and sell orders made on an exchange for a specific cryptocurrency pair, such as BTC/LTC or ETH/Solana. This list is regularly updated in real-time and reflects changes made when traders place new orders or cancel existing ones. 

It performs the same role in a regular stock market, though it is especially pertinent in cryptocurrency due to the market’s relative volatility and 24-hour operation schedule. Each order in the order book contains pertinent details such as price and quantity (or volume).

Trade execution module

It is a required option for executing trades on the Solana blockchain or exchange. Market orders are commonly used to maintain sub-minute trading speeds. The trade execution module allows you to choose slippage tolerance (for example, 0.5% maximum slippage).

This component is responsible for executing trades on cryptocurrency exchanges based on indications provided by AI algorithms. It optimizes trade execution based on liquidity and transaction fees. In addition, error handling is dynamic. For example, a retry in the event of execution failure after repairing is unlikely.

Wallet system: cold wallets and hot wallets

Any cryptocurrency exchange platform is built around its wallet mechanism. It handles user deposits, withdrawals, and balance tracking for different coins and brokerage interactions. 

When working with white-label solutions, wallet integration is often done by configuring pre-built modules instead of by scripting from zero. Hot wallets are used for rapid transactions. Otherwise, cold wallets are effective for storing a wide range of user assets completely offline.

An efficient cryptocurrency wallet stores and manages the digital currencies on the exchange server while maintaining optimum security. To mitigate risk, each exchange platform must include both a hot and a cold crypto wallet mechanism. Integrating multi-signature cryptography settings in both hot and cold wallets enables traders to manage their KYC and AML checks while ensuring regulatory compliance.

User account management

Account management systems should be both user-friendly and secure. Users must be able to swiftly establish accounts or enable two-factor authentication (2FA), as well as manage their data. Second, the platform should have KYC/AML connectivity to demonstrate regulatory compliance and grow user trust.

Account management systems are one of several safeguards to protect your trading activities. However, if you overlook the risk of a hack, you will likely meet the same fate as Bybit. On February 21, 2025, hackers from the Lazarus Group compromised one of ByBit’s providers, stealthily changing the address of the digital wallet from which they delivered 401,000 ETH tokens. 

According to Dr. Tom Robinson, co-founder of crypto research firm Elliptic, “Every minute counts for hackers who are attempting to obscure the money trail.” They know how to accomplish it. So it is the responsibility of exchanges and platforms to avoid this.”

Balance management

While we followed industry guidelines in our transition to microservices by attempting to develop autonomous, cohesive services with minimal dependencies on one another, the order service provider remained heavily reliant on numerous other areas of operations.

The Account Balance Management (ABM) service, performed by the credit check component of the order fulfillment flow, is an example of a self-contained component of a cryptocurrency exchange engine. Balance adjustments for a given account on the platform can occur for a variety of reasons and in various parts of the platform:

• Depositing tokens to your account,
• Withdrawing coins to your account,
• Trading and other exchange operations.

A service designed for multiple parallel ABMs enhances the platform’s scalability. For example, if one of the load alarms (CPU/HD) is triggered, the threads are dispersed in parallel to reduce the risk.

Market data feed

The market data stream offers the system the data required to make trading decisions. Examples include direct feeds from exchanges, consolidated feeds that combine information from multiple sources, and archive data sources used in backtesting.

The market data stream gives real-time or historical data to the system, which is then used to make trading decisions. The strategy engine uses this to generate trade alerts based on predefined parameters. The risk management system monitors the system’s performance and changes trading activity to mitigate risk. Finally, the order routing system performs trades on the relevant exchange or trading venue.

Security and risk engine

The risk engine is the stronghold that defends our exchange. Transactions do not get lost in our matching engine. The trade balance is never negative. All data is stored in memory, enabling extremely quick matching and response times. A write-ahead log and snapshotting guarantee data permanence and consistency, ensuring that orders are never lost.

The real-time audit risk engine follows the ACID framework (atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability). To securely implement, exchanges typically use a Merkle tree structure, where each leaf node contains a hashed version of user balances (these endpoints form the cryptographic foundation of the verification system). This enables verification of the entire list of balances without compromising individual accounts.

Admin panel and monitoring tools

The administrative panel displays real-time data on traffic, trade volume, transactions, and commission income. You can track traders, wallets, and transactions while maintaining a safe trading environment. It enables you to perform major tasks such as user verification, content management, and account management. The admin panel’s versatility allows you to adjust fees to optimize income.

The admin panel should have KYC/AML modules, as well as reporting/analytics capabilities for monitoring compliance with a crypto exchange’s legal procedures. Some of these tools include the FCA as a regulating body and the MiCA rules. They are required to track Bitcoin transactions, verify operations, and manage risks.

Building or choosing a crypto trading engine

Creating your own software or choosing an existing one is a dilemma for businesses of any level. Foremost, this concerns the budget and functionality. Crypto trading engine explained through the number of tokens, user activity, and usage scope helps show how it works. 

Annual subscriptions can cost about $10-20k. At the same time, custom crypto exchange engine software is more variable and allows you to adjust it to your needs. Their cost is indicated in the table below.

Each blockchain system has its own consensus algorithm, like Bitcoin’s proof of work or Ethereum 2.0’s proof of stake. When the price for developing a CEX application is calculated, it is determined which mechanism is best, depending on your requirements. Other features to examine are user permissions, renewal mechanisms, asset issuance, key management and structure, signatures, and address formats.

How to pick the crypto market engine correctly?

First, we must determine the engine’s principal objective. At its core, it employs an order sorting mechanism, usually a price-time or First-In-First-Out (FIFO) model. That is, orders are matched first based on price, and afterward on submission time. In general, a high-performance trading engine is built to the following specifications.

1. Select your exchange type. CEX is faster, feature-rich, but custodial. Otherwise, DEX is user-controlled, transparent, and slower.
2. Match engine performance. For MVPs, use open-source engines (e.g., HollaEx, Peatio). For scaling, go for high-performance engines (C++/Go) with in-memory matching.
3. Security and compliance. Must support KYC/AML, secure wallet integration, and audit trails — especially if you’re operating in regulated regions.
4. APIs. Look for REST/WebSocket APIs, real-time order book, and historical trade data.
5. Plan for scale. Pick an engine that handles high volume, multi-pair trading, and offers monitoring tools.

Some engines offer more complex order types and algorithms, such as iceberg (hiding huge orders), TWAP (evenly dispersing orders over time), or VWAP (buying or selling based on average price), depending on the platform’s requirements. 

That’s why choosing a small-functioned open-source exchange engine is a good option if you’re testing the theme. On the other hand, consider customizing if you’re scaling rapidly or require regulatory compliance.

Hidden shields in the crypto exchange engine

To build a turnkey cryptocurrency exchange engine, an entrepreneur must use discrete, independent modules. Even if one of them fails, the system resumes normal operation thanks to these modules.

Some modules may be restricted owing to legislative activities surrounding crypto platforms in the nation. Cryptocurrency, for example, is officially allowed in Switzerland, although it is restricted in India and the United States. Creating a modular structure on your site can help optimize client work and maintain high-quality crypto exchange services.

Future of the crypto trading engines

The trendiness of a niche market is determined by the target audience and their needs. As for digital trading engine mechanics, Bitfinex & Tether CTO Paolo Ardoino answered this question in the info below.

It is simple to forecast patterns and upcoming developments in cryptocurrency exchange engine development. Incorporating SaaS into your exchange will matter in 2025, and firms that recognize the validator, custody, and disclosure stack early on will secure income streams that can endure the next bear market. The following trends are going to persist over the next five years.

1. Support for staking operations will be integrated directly into the exchange engine Allowing platforms to offer native yield-generating services without relying on external protocols.
2. Engine-level compliance modules will become standard Enabling exchanges to adapt more easily to evolving licensing requirements in the EU, US, and Asia-Pacific jurisdictions.
3. Validator and node orchestration will be optimized at the engine layer Increasing performance and minimizing latency for networks that rely on proof-of-stake consensus — especially in hybrid exchange setups.

Staking functionality is now deeply integrated into the crypto exchange engine itself, no longer operating as a standalone product under the “Earn” section. With Proof-of-Stake (PoS) rewards driving over $140 billion in revenue, about 7% of the total crypto market cap, modern Tier-1 exchange engines are being re-architected to natively support staking operations, validator coordination, and automated yield distribution as part of their core logic.

Blockchain technology is transforming the power trading scene by bringing transparency and efficiency. As an integral component of energy innovation, blockchain-enabled electricity trading empowers both consumers and producers, enabling a dynamic and sustainable energy economy. Blockchain and energy systems give consumers more control over their electricity, especially up to a 40% reduction in regular data. 

Step forward to the crypto exchanges with a strapping trading engine

Are you interested in cryptocurrencies and their operations? Want to create your own platform with great functionality? Our white-label exchange platform features a robust, pre-integrated trading engine optimized for real-time processing and swift order execution.

You can build a fully functional centralized exchange (CEX) in as little as three weeks, eliminating the need for familiarity with technical specifics from the outset. The platform can quickly scale to handle enormous volumes of processes; therefore, there will be no platform overload or stutter. Experienced merchants and retail clients will be eager to participate in such an environment.

TradingView’s patented charting, automated order matching, and ready-made liquidity ensure that your platform is operational from the start. With our robust infrastructure and expert blockchain professionals, you can go live faster, scale up easily, and begin earning money sooner!

Pick up the crypto engine development with Peiko

Crypto exchange engine processes various types of requests. Transaction limiting, entering restrictions, and checking verification are a small part of the multibyte data flow. Contact us, and you will get the software you need. Our team implements CEX development, white-label exchange service development, and other services in the field of blockchain technologies.

FAQ

Crypto exchanges are the very center of the world of digital assets, handling massive volumes of transactions on a daily basis. Unfortunately, this makes them high-value targets for cyber threats such as phishing attacks, social engineering, re-entrancy attacks, and DDoS attacks. 

To mitigate these, high-end exchanges employ solid security measures like multi-factor authentication, cold wallet custody, and real-time surveillance. With threats evolving more and more sophisticated, securing these platforms is key to maintaining user faith and industry integrity.

Popular tactics used by crypto hackers

Crypto exchange breaches are rarely simply an issue of sloppy code or outdated software. They often arise from a critical lack of specialized security expertise among blockchain developers and infrastructure teams. Behind each exploit is a carefully crafted combination of social engineering, technical ability, and human management, conducted by a professional engineer to hacking crypto exchanges.

More than just “bad code”

Crypto teams—high-speed, pseudonymous, and remote are often the aim for social hackers. Attackers create profiles of workers, impersonate executives or partners, and send urgent “admin” messages with malicious links to steal credentials or install malware. It only takes one misplaced click.

A Bitdefender Labs researcher was sent a LinkedIn message offering a job at a crypto exchange. The attacker responded with a demo project that contained hidden malware (cross-platform info-stealer). Upon running the demo, a stealthy script installed malware that stole browser passwords and crypto wallet keys. It is one of the most well-known crypto hacks 2025.

This cryptocurrency hacking was from the Lazarus Group, which has been associated with North Korea and is well known for targeting blockchain professionals with fake job offers to steal sensitive data and install persistent malware. 

Social engineering masterminds

Contemporary hackers exploit protocol design weaknesses rather than brute force. They target:

• Unsecured withdrawal functions
• Re‑entrancy vulnerabilities
• Flash loan exploits
• Weak cross‑chain message verification

August 2021’s Poly Network cryptocurrency hack drained $610 million by exploiting cross‑chain logic weaknesses—specifically buggy Merkle proof verification and insecure keeper key management—without breaking encryption.

Technical exploits

Even with more than one security stack layer, it’s most often a small mistake that offers the gateway for cryptocurrency hacking.

It could be a developer putting secrets into a public repository, a stale 2FA (two-factor authentication) token that wasn’t terminated, or misconfigured access controls on cloud infrastructure. Security hygiene is typically lagging behind speed, and attackers already have the map: open-source codebases, stale Docker images, exposed API endpoints, or an errant IAM role usage.

Weaknesses in the human firewall

Crypto exchange hacks are usually the outcome of a series of weaknesses — one weak link in a chain of assumptions and workarounds. It’s a mix of psychological manipulations and systemic blind spots.

And while defenders have to anticipate each conceivable angle, attackers need only one opening to push the door wide open.

Fort Knox or digital sieve? Current security measures in play

Fort Knox is a U.S. military installation that’s supposed to store a ginormous hunk of America’s gold reserves, and be basically break-in-proof. In cryptocurrency, it’s a symbol used metaphorically for super-tight security. But with crypto exchanges, the question is: are their defenses really Fort Knox-grade, or like a digital sieve, full of holes?

Industry standard defences 

Most reputable crypto exchanges have implemented at least industry-standard protections against blockchain hacks:

• Cold wallet storage User funds are kept offline, inaccessible via internet-connected infrastructure.
• Multi-signature wallets One compromised key cannot empty the funds.
• 2FA & MFA (two-factor authentication & multi-factor authentication) Required for both user logins and internal admin activities.
• Withdrawal whitelisting Prevents attackers from sending funds to arbitrary wallets.
• KYC (know your customer) verification Ensures only verified users can access the platform, helping prevent fraud and comply with regulations.

The reasons why blockchain hacks still occur 

Despite these defences, breaches still happen. Why? They can occur due to the following reasons:

• Excessive trust in perimeter security After getting inside the network, many systems still trust the actor too much. Little microsegmentation or internal monitoring exists.
• Hot wallet exposure Certain exchanges keep an excessive amount of funds in hot wallets for liquidity, which makes them fat targets.
• Unreliable key management Some smaller or fast-growing exchanges still use insecure storage or bad rotation practices.
• Third-party risk APIs, plug-ins, and third-party service providers are under-secured or over-permissioned.

Emerging smarter security measures

Leading exchanges are beginning to adopt stronger, more intelligent methods such as:

• Hardware security modules (HSMs) Physical devices that securely create and store private keys.
• Threshold signature schemes (TSS) A сryptographic technique of sharing a signing authority without the typical multisig limitations.
• Continuous threat monitoring & red teams Simulated attacks to actively uncover blind spots.
• Zero trust architectures (ZTA) Everything on users and services is authenticated wherever they reside.

The trade-off of compliance vs. security

A major standoff is between security and compliance. Compliance schemes are typically lagging behind current attack vectors, with transactions technically “compliant” but vulnerable.

Security teams, on the other hand, are stretched to the limit, forced to balance getting product out the door versus hardening systems up.

Fort Knox or digital sieve?

Some exchanges are actually Fort Knox-grade — using multi-layered security, in-built audits, and top-notch cryptographic custodial. Others are still operating like it’s 2017 — with burning hot wallets out in the open and access controls strapped with duct tape. 

The human element: Empowering your users in the fight

Nothing short of backend security best practices can prevent users from clicking on phishing links or revealing credentials. Your users are your attack surface as an exchange operator. 

Developing user-empowering security features, paired with education, cuts risk of breach in half.

• Bake transaction alerts, dApp connection warnings, and URL spoofing detection into the UI (user interface).
• Offer built-in phishing link scanning within in-app notifications or messages.
• Provide bespoke security dashboards showing account risk (IP flips, login attempts, and others).

You’re the first line of defense

Every node operator, developer, and ops engineer on your team is holding keys to the kingdom—literally. Take an internal Zero Trust mentality:

• Disable SSH (traditional access using static passwords or private keys) for keyless or ephemeral certificates (for example, via HashiCorp Vault or Teleport).
• Use hardware-backed YubiKey authentication for admin consoles and CI/CD pipelines.
• Audit admin wallet activity through tamper-proof logging (for example, use immutable logging through Merkle tree structures).

Wallet wisdom: Designing custody responsibly

Bad crypto wallet handling is responsible for the majority of 9-figure crypto hacks (losses of $100 million or more). Below you can see some suggestions to protect your crypto exchange:

• Use MPC (multi-party computation) or TSS for hot wallet transactions. This discharges single-point-of-failure risk without annoying multisig UX (user experience).
• Cycle withdrawal wallets and set time-based constraints per asset, per user, per address.
• Consider geofencing withdrawal requests and biometric authentication for mobile apps withdrawals above certain thresholds.

The scammers’ catch and how to avoid them

Social engineering most often bypasses tech entirely. Here are helpful defence measures:

• Enforce multi-party approval processes on risky activities like contract upgrades, off-chain transactions, or provisioning of access.
• Use real-time behavioral analysis to detect outlier activity in developer or ops behavior (for example, access outside of standard hours, shady Git behavior).
• Perform regular internal phishing simulations for employees and approved project accounts.

Internal team personal security hygiene

It is important to ensure robust protections on every device and workflow:

• Enforce per-device app allowlisting on DevOps and wallet teams.
• Add hardware-backed 2FA on all workstations and cloud consoles.
• Integrate secrets managers (Doppler, Vault) seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines—never hardcode API keys or secrets.
• Implement endpoint detection and response (EDR) agents on all corporate devices, even for remote employees.

Beyond the breach: The future of crypto security

Cryptosystems cannot be pieced together with patchwork defences. These systems demand proactive, resilient strategies built for the future. 

The evolving crypto threat landscape

Keep in mind that crypto exchange hack strategies are becoming more targeted and technical. Today’s threats go far beyond just phishing:

• Lazarus-style campaigns are targeting DevOps via spoofed LinkedIn job opportunities. These are malware-based on “project demos” or PDFs.
• Smart contract logic vulnerabilities, rather than bugs, are being exploited (e.g., lack of reentrancy guards, unvalidated return values).
• Cross-chain crypto hacking attacks are becoming more prevalent—poor bridge verification and the absence of proper message signing logic are typically the culprits.

Modern security solutions

Top-tier crypto orgs use advanced, modular security architecture built for resilience and speed.

• Cold wallet key management using air-gapped HSMs (Fireblocks, GK8, etc.).
• Modular layers of security: isolate authentication, signing, custody, and compliance services into interdependent microservices.
• Bug bounty integration in your SDLC through Immunefi or Code4rena, tightly integrated with your PRs and CI/CD.
• Security chaos testing: Simulate wallet key breaches, oracle feed outages, or cross-chain congestion using internal red teams or automated tools.

The role of regulation and collaboration

Security is not only tech, security is trust. Transparency and collaboration are your best allies.

• On top of meeting standards like SOC 2, ISO 27001, or MiCA, publish public incident reports and post-mortems to build credibility.
• Share threat intelligence proactively with peers on platforms like MISP or ThreatConnect.
• Join industry security groups like Crypto ISAC or blockchain-specific working groups to improve sector-wide defense.

Shared responsibility

Secure cryptocurrency exchanges aren’t built— they’re sustained with continuous coordination:

• Dev teams: Integrate security checks into code, not just pre-launch.
• Ops: Screen infrastructure updates like code—versioned, reviewed, and traceable.
• Compliance: Work hand-in-hand with security, not after the fact.
• Users: Give them tooling and feedback mechanisms (withdrawal cooldowns, email verification, etc.) in order to participate in security, not just consume it.

Start your crypto exchange project securely 

Launch your own cryptocurrency exchange quickly with our solid white-label platform, designed for reliability, scalability, and strong security.

Our white-label solution for crypto exchanges offers not only professional trading capabilities, high-volume liquidity, and advanced user experience, but also robust security features for high protection against crypto exchange hack. 

• DDoS protection There are several internal and external protection steps taken so that the platform stays up and running during DDoS attacks, proven through rigorous stress testing.
• 2FA + KYC Access and withdrawals are protected through Google Authenticator 2FA, with optional SMS or email verification for added security.
• Fireblocks custody User funds are insured by Fireblocks, a well-established institutional custodian with a flawless security record.
• Encrypted data storage All user and system sensitive information is hashed and encrypted so that unauthorized access is not possible.
• Modular microservices architecture The operations are kept in separate, independent packages that contain risk and are easier to update and maintain.
• Autoscaling system The platform auto-scales with users, offering stable performance with zero downtime.

You can obtain this robust crypto exchange in 3 weeks, ready to go live. Custom functionality and extensions are also offered to tailor the platform to your precise needs.

Conclusion

As flash loan crypto hacks and sophisticated phishing attacks rise, deep security layers are essential. Our white-label crypto exchange platform includes integrated protection against cryptocurrency hacks such as 2FA, DDoS protection, encrypted storage, and Fireblocks custody to secure your users’ funds. Added to an auto-scaling infrastructure to handle growth with ease, it’s a modern crypto exchange solution.

Ready to hit the market in an instant and secure? We can launch your exchange online in as few as 3 weeks, with customizable options to address your unique needs.

Contact us now to get your crypto exchange with top-of-the-line defences.

FAQ

Developing your own cryptocurrency or token is the first step. Then the owner of the token or cryptocurrency looks for an exchange to list it on for sale and to reach a wide audience of investors. However, listing on an exchange entails commissions for the project. The cost to start a crypto exchange listing may range $5,000 on smaller exchanges to $500,000+ on reputable platforms such as Binance. That is, it should be a clearly calculated strategic step.

In this article, we will talk in detail about the fees for listing on a crypto exchange — from the actual size of the fees and the conditions of placement. If you are a token or cryptocurrency creator, you will learn how to pick the right platform and avoid costly mistakes. If you plan to develop your own exchange, then you will learn how exchanges benefit from listing such projects.

What are crypto exchange listing fees?

Cryptocurrency exchange listing fees are the costs that token projects incur to list their coin or token on a crypto exchange and make it available for trading.

The listing fee typically encompasses a range of services such as:

• Technical integration of the token onto the exchange platform
• Legal and compliance review
• Marketing and promotion (launch announcements, AMAs (ask me anything sessions), social media coverage)
• Market-making or liquidity support setup
• Constant maintenance and technical support

Listing fees serve a dual purpose: to cover the exchange’s operating costs and to ensure that serious, well-prepared projects are listed. Of course, fees can vary depending on the size of the crypto exchange, its reputation, and listing model, ranging from $5,000 on smaller exchanges to over $500,000 on larger platforms.

CEX vs DEX listing: Cost comparison

When a project is planning a token launch, they decide whether to list. There are two common types of crypto exchanges: centralized exchange (CEX) and a decentralized exchange (DEX). 

Centralized exchanges 

Typically, CEX platforms like Binance, Coinbase, or KuCoin charge expensive listing fees. But fees can vary based on the exchange’s size, or coin listing services offered. 

You may wonder why listings on CEXs like Binance or KuCoin are so expensive? Because it includes full technical integration, legal compliance checks, project audits, marketing support (interviews, press releases, social media promotion), as well as liquidity provision and market makers.

Pros of CEX listing:

• More exposure and trading volume
• Increased investor confidence
• Streamlined fiat access

Cons of CEX listing:

• Higher listing fee
• Stringent vetting process
• Long wait times for the coin listing on exchange 

By the way, you can read more about Binance’s token listing process here. 

Decentralized exchanges 

DEX platforms like Uniswap, SushiSwap, and PancakeSwap offer permissionless listing, with no formal listing fee.

But placing a token on a DEX still comes with expenses — primarily to set up a liquidity pool, gas fees, and optional promotion or auditing services. Approximate cost to start a crypto exchange listing may range from $1,000 to $10,000.

Benefits of listing on DEXs:

• No listing fee required
• Decentralized and rapid process
• Complete control over listing

Cons of DEX listing:

• Less visibility unless heavily promoted
• Must provide and handle your own liquidity
• Low investor trust for unfamiliar tokens

Why listings matter for crypto exchanges

For crypto exchanges, token listings are a great way to make money. Each successful listing can introduce:

• New users Projects will direct their users to the exchange; the result is more signups and trading volume.
• Higher trading volumes More tokens mean more pairs, more trades, and more fee income.
• Listing fees Clean-cut revenue from projects, especially for tier-2 and tier-3 platforms.
• More brand awareness Listing popular coins or solid projects enhances the credibility of the exchange.
• Ecosystem growth and partnerships Partnership with new projects may lead to long-term integrations, exclusive features, or token adoption on the platform.

Quality listings are a win-win for exchanges: crypto exchange listings help to generate revenue, attract users, and boost platform credibility. 

What’s included in a listing fee?

The listing fee should cover the costs of listing a new token or coin on a crypto exchange. This includes: tech integration (smart contract audit), testing the token’s compatibility with the exchange’s internal systems (crypto wallets, API, trading engine, and withdrawal mechanisms). In addition, the fee includes marketing costs to promote the listing.

And yes, exchanges can use the listing fee to fund ongoing project maintenance, customer support for questions related to the new token, and an audit for regulatory compliance.

Real examples of crypto exchange listing fees

Listing fees differ based on the exchange’s size, popularity, and market reach. It is true that most exchanges don’t publicly disclose their listing fee structures. However, some public statements provide insights about this. 

It is rumored that the Binance exchange charges projects from $100,000 to $1 million to list popular tokens, because listing there means immediate access to a massive user base and trading volume. 

Coinbase, like Binance and other reputable crypto exchanges, requires a rigorous review process and charges hefty fees, usually in the six-figure domain. Projects like TRON ($TRX) and Fantom have publicly stated they were asked for millions of dollars in marketing commitments or indirect fees. Coinbase has denied these allegations.

Smaller platforms like KuCoin or BitMart can charge a cost to list token on exchange anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000. Some decentralized exchanges don’t have listing fees but rather request liquidity provision or governance approval.

Hidden costs and extra requirements

Exchanges like to push for a flat listing fee, but projects end up paying 2-3 times that figure due to additional, not-so-obvious requirements. Each project owner should be aware of the following:

Liquidity commitments

The project may be required to lock a minimum amount of value of your token (e.g., $50k-$200k worth) or USDT/ETH in a market-making pool. Failing it, the project may end up with poor order book depth, even delisting.

Marketing packages (highly recommended)

Some exchanges add costly promotional coin listing services, such as:

• Press release distribution ($2k-$5k)
• App feature or homepage banner location ($5k-$20k)
• AMA or social media ad campaigns ($1k-$3k each)

Smart contract audits

If your token hasn’t been audited, exchanges will request one from a reputable auditor (CertiK, Hacken) which will cost $5k-$15k+.

Legal documentation

Mid- to top-end CEXs might engage you with procuring a legal opinion letter declaring your token is not a security. Prepare for legal fees of $3k to $10k, depending on where you are.

Post-listing support fees

Some exchanges will have recurring monthly or yearly support or maintenance fees, especially in Asia.

Token launch checklist before listing

Launching a token is a big step, but getting it listed on an exchange and making it accessible to a wider audience requires careful preparation. Below are the main points a project must complete before listing on any crypto exchange.

What makes an exchange attractive for token listings?

Do you already run a crypto exchange or plan to launch a new one? Solid crypto projects look beyond listing prices when choosing a platform. 

Let’s consider what makes the crypto exchange attractive for listing.

• Listing process without hidden costs Clear criteria on coin listing on exchange, fair listing prices, and open communication create trust with investors and projects.
• Real user base and live trading volume Projects do their research. If your exchange is pumping volume or lacks active communities, strong projects simply won’t choose you.
• Security & compliance A secure exchange with strong KYC/AML processes and voluntary legal checks attracts better listings and partners.
• Marketing & launch support Adding co-marketing (banners, AMAs, push notifications) at launch will help your exchange stand out and drive engagement.
• Liquidity solutions Adding market-making support or exposure to liquidity providers helps tokens gain early traction and price stability.
• Technical reliability Fast matching engine, speedy APIs, and reliable uptime matter not just for your users, but also listing partners.

Build your custom crypto exchange with Peiko 

Want to launch your own crypto exchange or are you preparing for a token placement? A smart strategy is the key to success. If you need a reliable and quick-to-launch platform, we are ready to offer a turnkey solution.

We will help you launch a fully operational white-label CEX in just 3 weeks with options to add tailored features by your request. You will receive a reliable, scalable platform with customized features, deep liquidity, and a high level of security.

What you get:

• A powerful trading engine (more than 10,000 operations per second)
• TradingView charts for convenient analysis
• Ready-made liquidity from major providers (Huobi, B2C2, and others)
• Protected architecture: Fireblocks, KYC/AML, two-factor authentication
• Convenient admin panel with full control over the platform
• Quick launch — much cheaper than developing an exchange from scratch
• Full rights to the code — easy to scale as the project grows

A platform that can be trusted builds user loyalty and attracts interest from strong projects.

With such an exchange, you can not only earn on listings, but also become a growth point for the ecosystem around your brand.

You do marketing for growth — we take care of the technology and infrastructure.

Final thoughts: Is it worth the investment?

A successful token listing is a matter of timing, preparation, and real support. Projects must have a working product, established tokenomics, and community demand. Exchanges, on their end, need robust infrastructure and list high-quality assets to build trust and ensure trading volume. 

If you are planning to build a robust crypto exchange and then generate revenue by listing fees, we will help you create a crypto exchange with reliable infrastructure in a few weeks (with the option to add custom features upon request). Contact us today to get started!

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