Binance says its listing application must be submitted directly by the founder, CEO, or a key team member, that it charges no fee to review or submit an application, and that it does not accept applications through third parties; it describes a staged path from Binance Alpha to Futures to Spot and, for tokens already trading, reviews volume, liquidity depth, volatility, FDV, and market cap. OKX takes applications through its token listing form, asks for an overview, ecosystem data such as TVL and user growth, competitors, tokenomics, team bios, and funding transparency, tells applicants not to request direct contacts, and requires a MiCA-compliant white paper submitted to an EU regulator at least 20 business days before an EEA listing. Following either guide does not guarantee a listing.
Key takeaways
- Binance: founder or key team member applies; no third parties; no application fee.
- Binance path: Alpha → Futures → Spot, with trading quality reviewed along the way.
- OKX: detailed guide on what to include; MiCA white paper for the EEA.
- Both: verify any contact through the exchange’s official channel.
Side by side
| Binance | OKX | |
|---|---|---|
| Who applies | Founder, CEO, or key team member, with KYC information | The project, through the official form |
| Third parties | Not accepted; can lead to disqualification and blacklisting | Don’t request direct contacts; verify via official channel |
| Fees | No review or application fee; spot announcements state “Listing Fee: 0 BNB” | Not stated on the pages reviewed |
| What they review | Adoption, business model, tokenomics (incl. market-maker holdings), audits, team and compliance | Overview, ecosystem data (TVL, users), competitors, tokenomics, team, funding |
| Trading quality | Liquidity depth and volume for trading tokens; sustained volume and stable price for Futures and Spot | Not detailed in the guide |
| Path | Alpha → Futures → Spot, separate forms | Single application |
| EEA | Not covered here | MiCA white paper filed ≥20 business days before the target date |
What this means for preparation
Binance’s notice asks about market-maker holdings in your tokenomics and names liquidity depth for tokens already trading, so your market-making arrangement is part of the application, not an afterthought. Disclose any token loan clearly. For OKX in the EEA, start the MiCA white paper early. Check your gaps with the readiness score.
Frequently asked questions
Can an agent apply to Binance or OKX for us?
Binance says it does not accept applications through third parties and that using them can lead to disqualification and blacklisting. OKX asks applicants to apply through its form and not to request direct contacts. Apply yourself. See crypto listing agents.
Do Binance or OKX charge listing fees?
Binance says it charges no fee for reviewing a project or submitting an application, and its spot listing announcements state ‘Listing Fee: 0 BNB’. OKX’s pages we reviewed do not state a fee. See CEX listing fees.
What does Binance review for a token that already trades?
For circulating projects on the Binance Alpha route, Binance’s 2025 notice lists trading volume, liquidity depth, historical price volatility, FDV, and market cap, in addition to adoption, business model, tokenomics, technical risk, and team. See Binance listing.
Sources
- Binance: Important Notice on Binance Listing Information & Requirements (2025-04-25)
- Binance FAQ: How to list your coins on Binance
- OKX: How can I get my project listed on OKX?
- OKX: EEA asset listing guide — MiCA whitepaper compliance
Last reviewed 12 November 2026. Exchange and platform policies change; always confirm on the official page before acting.