Most exchanges do not publish a formal market-maker requirement, but they expect orderly two-sided markets and monitor them after listing: Kraken says listed tokens are continuously monitored for volume, spread and depth, Coinbase monitors liquidity and order-book depth during its phased launch, and WhiteBIT says the project’s market maker is responsible for liquidity. MEXC’s listing terms refer to a refundable liquidity deposit. In practice, a market maker (or a funded in-house desk) is how most projects meet those expectations from the first minute of trading.
What exchanges say
| Exchange | Statement relevant to liquidity |
|---|---|
| Kraken | Listed tokens continuously monitored for volume, spread and depth |
| Coinbase | Monitors liquidity, order-book depth and volatility during phased launch |
| WhiteBIT | Project’s market maker is responsible for liquidity; may recommend partners |
| MEXC | Listing terms mention a refundable liquidity deposit |
When you might not need one yet
A DEX-only token with a well-funded pool, or a team with a real in-house trading desk, can delay. Once you list on a CEX order book, thin books invite wide spreads, slippage and delisting risk.
Full answer: do you need a market maker to list? and delisting risk.
Sources
- Kraken: Get listed on Kraken
- Coinbase: A Guide to the Digital Asset Listing Process at Coinbase (Sep 2025)
- WhiteBIT institutional: token listing services
- MEXC: Listing Terms and Conditions
Last reviewed 12 November 2026. Exchange and platform policies change; always confirm on the official page before acting.
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