Direct answer: verify the exact domain, your local eligibility, the company and regulator claims, the complete fee route, BTC withdrawal conditions and custody model before creating an account. If you use a referral code, enter it during account creation and confirm it appears before submitting; it usually cannot be added later.
1. Verify the exact domain
Open the provider through a saved official source, not an ad, direct message or copied search result. Compare the full hostname, HTTPS state and spelling with the official links checklist. A familiar logo is not evidence.
2. Confirm residency and product access
Choose your real country and account type. Check whether spot Bitcoin buying, your intended payment method and BTC withdrawals are supported. A platform can be reachable while a product is unavailable to your residency.
3. Separate company claims from regulatory evidence
Look for the legal entity serving your region and check the regulator’s own register when relevant. A generic “licensed” badge may refer to another entity, product or jurisdiction.
4. Calculate the full route
Compare funding fees, spread, trading fees, currency conversion and withdrawal charges. Use the real cost calculator and model the route you will actually take.
5. Check withdrawal before depositing
Find the BTC withdrawal minimum, fee, supported network and any waiting period. A platform that lets you buy does not necessarily let you withdraw immediately under every account state.
6. Understand custody and recovery
Read how the provider secures accounts, what you can recover, and what happens if access is restricted. If you plan to use a personal wallet, learn backup and address verification first.
7. Place the referral code deliberately
Use the intended link or enter the code in the referral field while creating the account. Confirm the field before submitting. Treat any benefit as conditional on the signup screen and your eligibility, not as a guaranteed reward.
8. Secure the account before funding
Use a unique password, authenticator-based 2FA, anti-phishing controls and withdrawal protections where available. Never share login codes or install remote-control software for “support.”
FAQ
Can I add a referral code after registration?
Usually not. The provider’s signup screen is authoritative, so verify the code before completing account creation.
Does a search-engine ad prove the exchange is official?
No. Ads can lead to lookalike domains. Verify the full domain through an official source.
What is the most important check before depositing?
Confirm that your verified account can use the intended product and withdrawal route, then review the final all-in cost.
Continue with a country-specific route
Browse the country buying guides to match residency, currency and payment access before choosing a provider.