What documents do I need to register on a crypto exchange?

Most exchanges require a government-issued photo ID (passport, national ID card, or driver's license) and a selfie for facial verification. Some also require proof of address (utility bill or bank statement). The process takes 5-30 minutes depending on the exchange.

Crypto Exchange Registration Guide 2026 — Everything You Need

Q: Can I add a referral code after I already created my account?

No. Referral codes like MGBABA (Binance) and BUYSTOCK (OKX) can only be entered during the initial registration. Once your account is created, there is no way to add or change the referral code. The 20% fee discount is permanent but must be activated at signup.

Q: What is the difference between Binance and OKX registration?

Both require email, password, and KYC verification. Binance asks for the referral code in a dedicated field during signup — use MGBABA. OKX calls it an invitation code — use BUYSTOCK. Both give 20% fee discount. Binance has more trading pairs; OKX has a slightly faster KYC process. Both support P2P trading worldwide.

Creating an account on a crypto exchange takes 5-15 minutes if you have your documents ready. But there is one step most guides skip that costs beginners money for years: the referral code. This guide covers every detail of the registration process so you get it right the first time.

What You Need Before Starting

Have these ready before you begin:

Email address — use one you check regularly
Phone number — for SMS verification during signup
Government-issued photo ID — passport, national ID card, or driver's license
A selfie — the exchange will ask you to take a photo for facial verification
Referral code — MGBABA for Binance or BUYSTOCK for OKX

Step-by-Step Registration

Step 1: Go to the Exchange Website

Visit the official website directly. Do not click links from random social media posts — phishing sites that look identical to real exchanges are common.

Official links: accounts.binance.com or okx.com

Step 2: Enter Email and Create Password

Click "Register" or "Sign Up." Enter your email address and create a strong password. Use at least 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Do not reuse passwords from other sites.

Step 3: Enter the Referral Code

This is the step most people miss. During registration, there is a field labeled "Referral Code" (Binance) or "Invitation Code" (OKX). Enter your code here.

Binance: MGBABA — 20% fee discount for life

OKX: BUYSTOCK — 20% fee discount for life

Critical: The referral code can ONLY be entered during initial registration. Once your account is created, there is no way to add, change, or apply a referral code. If you skip this step, you will pay full trading fees on every trade for the entire life of your account. There are no exceptions.

Step 4: Verify Your Email and Phone

The exchange will send a verification code to your email and phone. Enter both codes to confirm your identity. This takes about 1 minute.

Step 5: Complete KYC (Identity Verification)

KYC (Know Your Customer) is required by law on all major exchanges. You will need to:

Upload a photo of your ID (front and back if applicable)
Take a selfie for facial recognition matching
Enter your full legal name and date of birth
Provide your residential address

Basic KYC usually takes 5-30 minutes for approval. Some exchanges verify instantly with automated systems.

Step 6: Enable 2FA Security

Before depositing any money, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Download Google Authenticator, scan the QR code the exchange shows you, and save your backup codes somewhere safe.

Never use SMS for 2FA. It is vulnerable to SIM-swap attacks.

Step 7: Make Your First Deposit

Once verified, deposit via bank transfer (cheapest), P2P trading (most flexible), or card (instant but expensive). You are now ready to trade.

Binance vs OKX: Registration Comparison

Binance

Referral code field: "Referral ID"

Code: MGBABA

Discount: 20% fee discount

KYC speed: 5-30 minutes

ID accepted: Passport, national ID, driver's license

Deposit methods: SEPA, P2P, card, bank transfer

Trading pairs: 600+

OKX

Referral code field: "Invitation Code"

Code: BUYSTOCK

Discount: 20% fee discount

KYC speed: 2-15 minutes

ID accepted: Passport, national ID, driver's license

Deposit methods: SEPA, P2P, card, bank transfer

Trading pairs: 500+

Ready to Register?

Have your ID ready, pick your exchange, and remember the referral code. The whole process takes under 15 minutes.

Back to our complete beginner's guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What documents do I need to register?

A government-issued photo ID (passport, national ID, or driver's license) and a selfie for facial verification. Some exchanges also ask for proof of address.

Can I add a referral code after creating my account?

No. Codes MGBABA (Binance) and BUYSTOCK (OKX) must be entered during registration. After that, there is no way to add or change them.

What is the difference between Binance and OKX registration?

Both require email, password, KYC. Binance calls it "Referral ID" (use MGBABA), OKX calls it "Invitation Code" (use BUYSTOCK). Both give 20% off. OKX has slightly faster KYC; Binance has more trading pairs.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. We earn a commission when you sign up at no extra cost to you.