Before CEX Ready introduces a token project to a partner, the partner must be an identifiable legal entity, agree scopes in writing (for market makers, written KPIs for spread, depth, and uptime), never offer wash trading, fake volume, or guaranteed listings, never ask projects for seed phrases or private keys, and disclose its fees to the project directly. Partners pay CEX Ready a referral fee only if a project chooses to work with them; projects pay us nothing. Partners cannot buy rankings or influence our guides. Vetting reduces risk but does not replace your own diligence.
Key takeaways
- Partners must be identifiable, work under written agreements, and commit to measurable KPIs where relevant.
- We do not work with providers that sell volume, rankings, or guaranteed listings.
- Referral fees are disclosed and paid by partners, not projects.
- Our guides are independent of partner relationships, and we do not rank providers.
Partner standards
A provider must meet all of these before we introduce projects to it:
| Standard | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Identifiable entity | A registered company and named decision makers the project can contract with |
| Written scope | Services, fees, term, and termination are in a written agreement with the project |
| Measurable KPIs | For market making: spread, depth at ±2%, uptime, venues, and reporting in the contract (KPIs) |
| No manipulation | No wash trading, volume packages, price targets, or “trending” services (why) |
| No listing promises | No claims of guaranteed or “insider” exchange listings (what exchanges say) |
| Asset safety | Never asks for seed phrases, private keys, or exchange logins |
| Fee transparency | Quotes its own fees to the project directly; option and loan terms in writing |
| Responsiveness | Contacts introduced projects promptly or tells us it cannot take them |
What we check, and what we can’t
We check: the legal entity and website, the services offered against what projects ask for, sample contract terms where available, public enforcement actions against the firm, and feedback from projects we introduced.
We can’t check: a firm’s internal trading, its future performance, or whether a market will be liquid. That’s why every guide on this site helps you evaluate a provider yourself.
Editorial independence
- Our guides do not rank providers. Where we list firms, as in the A–Z directory, the list is alphabetical, based on firms’ own descriptions, and is not influenced by referral relationships.
- Partners cannot pay for coverage, edit our guides, or review them before publication.
- Facts about exchanges come from official exchange pages, which we link and date. See the editorial policy.
How referral fees work
Introductions are free for projects. If a project chooses to work with a partner, the partner may pay CEX Ready a referral fee. We disclose this on every page and next to every form. Projects agree pricing directly with the partner, and you are always free to compare other providers.
Frequently asked questions
Do you guarantee your partners?
No. We apply the standards on this page and remove partners who breach them, but we cannot audit a firm’s trading or guarantee results. Do your own diligence with our market maker questions, red flags, and agreement checklist.
Does the referral fee make the service more expensive?
A referral fee is the partner’s cost of acquiring a client, like a sales commission. Ask the partner directly how they price introduced clients, and compare their proposal with others on the same scope using our cost calculator.
What if a partner behaves badly?
Tell us. If a partner asks for seed phrases, upfront payments for listings, or offers wash trading, we end the relationship. Report suspected misconduct to the exchange concerned as well.
Can I ask for more than one market maker?
Yes. Say so in the form. Comparing at least two proposals on the same scope is good practice.
Need a market maker or listing help?
Tell us the chain, venues, and timing. If there is a fit, we introduce you to a vetted partner. Free for projects.
Get matched with a market makerFree for projects. CEX Ready may be paid a referral fee by partners. We never guarantee listings, prices, or volume.