Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, and Bitget state on their official pages that applying for a listing is free: Binance says it charges no fee to review or submit an application, Kraken says it never charges a listing fee and has no paid fast-track, and Bitget says there are no brokerage, application, or evaluation fees. Other exchanges (Bybit, OKX, Gate, HTX, KuCoin) do not state fees on the application pages we reviewed, MEXC’s listing terms mention non-refundable sums paid and a refundable liquidity deposit, and XT.com openly advertises paid listing plans. The real costs of a listing are preparation (audits, legal opinions) and liquidity (market making and inventory).
Key takeaways
- Free to apply per official pages: Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, Bitget.
- Not stated on the pages we reviewed: Bybit, OKX, Gate, HTX, KuCoin; get any terms in writing from verified staff.
- MEXC’s terms reference a refundable liquidity deposit.
- Anyone selling a guaranteed listing for a fee is a red flag; Binance calls it fraud.
- Budget for audits, legal, and market making, which are the real costs.
What exchanges officially say about listing fees
| Exchange | Official position on fees | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Binance | No fee to review a project or submit an application; announcements state “Listing Fee: 0 BNB” | Binance |
| Coinbase | Listing is free | Coinbase |
| Kraken | Never charges a listing fee; no paid fast-track | Kraken |
| Bitget | No brokerage, application, or evaluation fees | Bitget |
| MEXC | Terms mention non-refundable sums paid and a refundable liquidity deposit | MEXC |
| Bybit | Not stated on the official application page | Bybit |
| OKX | Not stated in the official listing guide we reviewed | OKX |
| Gate | Not stated; warns about emails requesting payment | Gate |
| HTX | Not stated on the application page | HTX |
| KuCoin | Not stated in the application guide we reviewed | KuCoin |
| BingX | No brokerage, application, or evaluation fees; fees “determined based on the review outcome and level of cooperation”; paid marketing solutions | BingX |
| Crypto.com | Not stated on the application page or admission criteria | Crypto.com |
| LBank | Not stated on the listing page; terms settled in a business negotiation | LBank |
| XT.com | Paid: tiered pricing with basic or marketing plans; agreement signing and payment before go-live | XT.com |
“Not stated” means we did not find a fee on the official pages linked in each guide; it does not mean a fee exists. Ask verified exchange staff and get terms in writing.
Where the real money goes
| Cost item | Why you need it | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Smart contract audit | Most exchanges ask for third-party audits | Audits |
| Legal opinion and structuring | KuCoin requires a legal opinion letter; others ask about regulatory status | Legal |
| MiCA white paper | Required for EEA availability | MiCA |
| Market making | Exchanges monitor spread, depth, and volume | Market making cost |
| Inventory | Tokens and stablecoins on each venue | How much liquidity |
| Launch marketing | Awareness for the new pair | Marketing |
The scam pattern to avoid
A “listing agent” or fake exchange employee asks for an upfront fee, often in crypto, to guarantee or speed up a listing. Binance, Kraken, Gate, and OKX all publish warnings about this. See listing scams and fake agents.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Binance listing cost?
Binance says it does not charge any fees for reviewing a project or submitting a listing application, and that no legitimate Binance representative will ask for payment for listing services. See our Binance guide.
Does Coinbase charge to list a token?
No. Coinbase has published that listing assets on Coinbase is free. See our Coinbase guide.
Why do people say listings cost millions?
Some figures come from intermediaries selling ‘listing packages’, some mix in marketing and market-making budgets, and some are outdated or unverifiable. We only report what exchanges say on their own pages.
What does a listing really cost a project?
Typically: smart contract audits, legal opinions and entity work, a MiCA white paper if you want EEA availability, market making (retainer, loan, or profit share), the inventory placed on venues, and launch marketing.
Sources
- Binance FAQ: How to list your coins on Binance
- Coinbase: Listing assets on Coinbase is free, and always has been
- Kraken: Get listed on Kraken
- Bitget: Listing application
- MEXC: Listing terms
Last reviewed 12 November 2026. Exchange and platform policies change; always confirm on the official page before acting.
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