Secure Login Practices for Cryptocurrency Exchanges — Educational Overview
This page explains recommended login and account-security practices for centralized exchanges and custodial services. It is a general guide meant for education, not a replacement for official platform instructions.
Why login security matters
Cryptocurrency exchanges hold keys or custody on behalf of users; a compromised account can lead to immediate and irreversible asset losses. Authentication should therefore be layered: strong password, device checks, and a secondary factor. Below are clear, practical measures you can take right away, followed by a short checklist you can use to audit your own account safety.
Recommended authentication layers
- Unique strong password: Use a passphrase 16+ characters — avoid reusing passwords across services.
- Hardware or app-based MFA: Prefer hardware security keys (U2F/WebAuthn) or authenticator apps (TOTP) rather than SMS-based codes.
- Account email safety: Secure the email tied to your exchange account with its own strong MFA and recovery options.
- Device hygiene: Keep your OS and browser updated, and remove saved credentials on shared machines.
- Withdrawal whitelists: If supported, restrict withdrawal addresses and set up address allow-lists.