KYC (identity verification) approval rates for mainland Chinese residents vary a lot from one offshore exchange to the next. This article maps out KYC approval rates for mainland Chinese IDs at the major exchanges. The short version first: Binance, OKX, Bybit, KuCoin, MEXC, and similar major exchanges are all quite open to mainland Chinese IDs, with approval rates above 90%; Coinbase does not accept mainland Chinese identification at all; Kraken accepts it but requires proof of an overseas address. For your everyday account, register through the Binance Official Site, install the Official Binance App on Android, and iOS users switching to an overseas Apple ID can follow the Download Page to install the main Binance app.

1. KYC Policy Comparison Across Major Exchanges

Mainland users mostly go with Binance, OKX, and Bybit, all of which have KYC approval rates above 90%. Coinbase doesn't accept mainland IDs at all, and while Kraken does, it requires an overseas address that most mainland residents can't provide.

Q: Why doesn't Coinbase accept mainland Chinese identification?

Coinbase is a US-listed public company bound by the US OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) and State Department sanctions lists. Mainland Chinese residents aren't actually on the OFAC sanctions list, but Coinbase's compliance policy applies a blanket "region-based negative list" — it simply blocks registrations from mainland China, Hong Kong, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and other high-risk regions.

2. Binance KYC Step by Step

The Binance KYC flow is the one most mainland users are already familiar with:

What you'll need:

• An original second-generation Chinese resident ID card (front and back photos, well lit, all four corners visible)
• A phone selfie (holding your ID and a handwritten note with "Binance" and the current date)
• A phone number and email address (for verification codes)

The steps:

1. Log into your Binance account and go to the [Verification] page
2. Choose your country/region: Mainland China
3. Upload the front of your ID → the system auto-detects your name and ID number
4. Upload the back of your ID
5. Complete a liveness-detection video (blink/nod/shake your head as prompted)
6. Wait for manual review (typically 30 minutes to 24 hours)

What each tier unlocks:

Chinese-speaking users typically only need Intermediate KYC, which is enough for everyday trading and C2C fiat deposits. Advanced KYC requires submitting proof of address and a source-of-funds declaration, but mainland users can usually satisfy the address requirement with a utility bill.

Q: What are the most common reasons Binance KYC fails?

The main causes of KYC failure, ranked by likelihood:

1. Poorly lit or glare-affected ID photos (about 40% of cases)
2. Blurry face in the liveness-detection video (about 25%)
3. Expired or damaged ID card (about 15%)
4. The same ID has already been used to register another account (about 10%)
5. Unusual network conditions (about 5%)
6. Low match confidence between the selfie and the ID photo (about 5%)

You can resubmit within 24 hours after a failure. After 3 failures, the account is temporarily locked for 7 days, and you'll need to contact support to unlock it.

3. OKX KYC Step by Step

OKX's KYC process is similar to Binance's, but its tier system is more granular:

What you'll need:

• An original second-generation Chinese resident ID card (front and back)
• A liveness-detection video

What each tier unlocks:

OKX's Lv 3 KYC requires a video call (roughly 5-10 minutes) to verify your identity and source of funds with a support agent. That step is a bit of a hassle for mainland users, but it's optional — Lv 2 is already enough for everyday use.

Q: Is OKX's KYC stricter than Binance's?

Overall the strictness is similar. After OKX obtained a Hong Kong VATP license in 2025, its KYC process got a general upgrade, but the Lv 1-2 flow for mainland users hasn't changed. The difference lies elsewhere:

• Binance: Advanced KYC requires proof of address (such as a utility bill)
• OKX: Lv 3 KYC requires a video call with support

For heavy users trading over 1M USDT a month, OKX's Lv 3 is a bit more of a hassle but has a clear, predictable process, whereas Binance's Advanced KYC occasionally gets stuck in review.

4. Bybit / KuCoin / MEXC KYC at a Glance

Bybit KYC:

• KYC 1: ID + liveness check (unlocks basic features)
• KYC 2: proof of address + source of funds (unlocks higher C2C limits)
• Approval rate around 90%, close to Binance and OKX

KuCoin KYC:

• Personal verification: ID + liveness check
• Advanced verification: proof of address + video call
• Mainland KYC approval rate is around 85% (slightly lower than Binance/OKX), because KuCoin tightened its overall KYC policy after being fined by the US CFTC in 2024 over insufficient KYC

MEXC KYC:

• Primary verification: ID + selfie (MEXC began requiring this starting in 2024)
• Advanced verification: proof of address
• Approval rate around 90%

Bitget KYC:

• KYC 1: ID + liveness check
• KYC 2: proof of address (unlocks higher withdrawal limits)
• Approval rate around 90%

Gate.io KYC:

• KYC 1: ID only (limited functionality)
• KYC 2: ID + liveness check (main functionality)
• KYC 3: video verification + proof of address (highest tier)
• Approval rate around 90%

Q: MEXC used to allow no KYC at all — is it required now?

Before 2024, MEXC effectively let mainland users trade with no KYC at all (email verification was enough), making it the loosest exchange in the industry. But starting in 2024:

• Withdrawals without KYC are capped (0.06 BTC per day)
• Fiat C2C now requires KYC
• Some new features are only unlocked after KYC

MEXC tightened further in 2025-2026, and new users now must complete KYC before they can withdraw USDT. MEXC's KYC strictness is now roughly on par with Binance, OKX, and Bybit.

5. Kraken KYC: The Overseas Address Problem

Kraken accepts mainland Chinese IDs, but its KYC process isn't friendly to mainland users:

Kraken's tier system:

• Starter: fiat deposits only (up to $9,000/day), very limited crypto trading
• Intermediate: crypto trading enabled ($100,000/day) → requires proof of an overseas address
• Pro: high-volume trading ($10M/day) → requires a source-of-funds declaration plus a video call

What makes Kraken hard for mainland users:

1. Proof of overseas address: the Intermediate tier requires a utility bill or bank statement from a "non-mainland-China" address, which most mainland residents simply can't provide
2. English-language documents: everything must be submitted in English (Chinese documents often need translation)
3. English-only support: if KYC fails, appeals happen entirely in English

Only mainland users who meet one of the following can realistically use Kraken:

• Have a legitimate overseas address (studying, working, or having emigrated abroad)
• Have an overseas bank account plus a utility bill
• Have a registered overseas company they can use the address of

Q: Can I register for Kraken using an overseas friend's address?

Not recommended. Kraken checks address authenticity, and using someone else's address (like a friend's) counts as "submitting false information" — even if KYC passes, your account could later be frozen by risk control.

6. Tips for Improving Your KYC Approval Odds

Tips to improve KYC approval rates for mainland Chinese users:

1. Photographing your ID card

• Lighting: shoot in natural light, avoid glare
• Angle: hold the ID flat and straight, no tilt
• Background: plain background (white or gray)
• Completeness: all four corners clearly visible
• Clarity: avoid blur (use a phone with an 8MP+ camera)

2. Tips for the liveness check

• Environment: bright, even lighting (avoid backlighting)
• Background: plain, clutter-free
• Expression: natural, no glasses (unless you normally wear them)
• Movements: follow the on-screen prompts exactly (blink, nod, shake your head)

3. Network environment

• Stable connection: home broadband > 4G/5G > public Wi-Fi
• Avoid proxies: some proxy IPs get flagged as anomalous and trigger risk control
• Same IP address: keep the same IP from registration through KYC completion (avoid switching in a short window)

4. Consistency of your information

• Matching names: your ID, your registration name, and the name on your selfie note must all match
• Matching nationality: select "China" — don't select Hong Kong or Taiwan
• Matching region: use a +86 phone number and select China as your country

Q: How soon can I try again after a failed KYC attempt?

Binance/OKX: you can resubmit immediately (up to 3 attempts within 24 hours).

Bybit: a 24-hour cooldown after a failure.

KuCoin/MEXC: you can resubmit immediately.

Kraken: you need to contact support before you can resubmit.

7. Privacy and Data Protection After KYC

KYC information (your ID and selfie) is sensitive data, so be aware of these risks:

1. History of data breaches

• May 2025 Binance KYC data leak: a third-party customer-service vendor leaked 24,000 users' ID photos onto the dark web
• December 2024 Coinbase data leak: roughly 700,000 users' information was exposed
• December 2024 OKX API key leak: KYC data was not affected

2. Protective measures

• Use a dedicated email address: don't reuse your everyday inbox
• Never upload screenshots with your ID number to cloud storage: files on OneDrive, Google Drive, etc. can be scanned automatically
• Delete local photos after KYC is done: remove any ID photos from your device once you're finished
• Watch official exchange announcements: exchanges usually publish notices after a data breach

3. Legal risk

Doing KYC on an offshore crypto exchange sits in a legal gray zone for mainland Chinese users:

• The "September 4 Notice" from September 4, 2017: banned ICOs and crypto exchanges
• September 2021: crypto trading was further defined as an "illegal financial activity"
• Simply holding crypto isn't itself illegal, but P2P fiat trading may carry a risk of "aiding money laundering" (if the counterparty's funds have a criminal origin)
• Large withdrawals to a bank card carry a card-freeze risk

Q: What happens after a KYC data leak?

Leaked data can be used for:

• Targeted scams: fraudsters who know your real name, ID number, and phone number can impersonate "Binance support" to trick you into sending funds
• Identity fraud: your leaked ID could be used to register on other platforms (which might then reject your own legitimate registration)
• Dark-web sales: ID photos get bundled and sold to telecom fraud rings

If your KYC data has been leaked, you should:

• Upgrade your Binance account security (enable 2FA, an anti-phishing code, and a withdrawal whitelist)
• Be wary of anyone claiming to be "Binance support" who contacts you first (official support never proactively calls or messages you)
• Monitor your credit report and bank card for unusual activity

8. "No-KYC Exchanges" for Users Who Want to Skip Verification Entirely

Some users prefer to avoid KYC altogether. Options include:

1. Decentralized exchanges (DEX)

• Uniswap (Ethereum + L2)
• PancakeSwap (BNB Chain)
• Jupiter (Solana)
• dYdX (decentralized derivatives)
• Hyperliquid (decentralized futures)

DEXs don't require KYC, but you have to manage your own wallet's private key/seed phrase.

2. Centralized exchanges with looser KYC

• Early MEXC (no KYC required before 2024)
• Early Bitget (small amounts allowed without KYC before 2023)
• By 2026, all of these have tightened up

3. P2P sites without a platform intermediary

• LocalBitcoins (shut down in 2023)
• Bisq (decentralized P2P)
• HodlHodl (no-KYC P2P)

Q: Is using a DEX with no KYC actually safe?

DEXs offer the best privacy, but they carry different risks:

• Private key security: entirely your own responsibility — lose it, and your assets are gone
• Poor liquidity: long-tail assets can slip badly
• On-chain gas fees: a single Ethereum mainnet transaction can cost $50-200 during congestion
• MEV front-running: large trades can be front-run by sandwich bots

KYC'd exchanges (CEX) and DEXs each have trade-offs:

• CEX: convenient, good liquidity, but requires KYC plus platform risk
• DEX: good privacy, self-custody, but you manage your own keys plus on-chain fees

For mid-size users, a combination of CEX for main trading plus occasional DEX interaction (on-chain DeFi) strikes the best balance.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan residents do KYC on mainland-facing exchanges?

Hong Kong/Macau travel permits and Taiwan compatriot permits can be used for KYC on Binance/OKX. Some platforms do require you to select "Hong Kong, China" or "Taiwan, China" as your country.

Q: Can minors register on exchanges?

No. Every major exchange requires KYC users to be 18 or older. If a minor is later found to have passed KYC, their account and assets get frozen.

Q: Can I do KYC with an expired ID card?

No. You must use an unexpired second-generation resident ID card. Start renewing your ID about a month before it expires to avoid disrupting your exchange KYC.

Q: Can I register multiple Binance accounts with one ID card?

No. One ID card = one Binance account. Multiple accounts are treated as a violation, and all of them get frozen.

Q: Is there a problem with registering using my spouse's ID?

If you normally use your spouse's ID and their face passes KYC, the platform generally won't investigate on its own. But legally, the assets belong to whoever's ID was used, and your spouse could claim ownership in a divorce or dispute. Strongly use your own ID.

Q: Can I change my name after KYC?

Not directly. If your ID name changes (such as a legal name change or after marriage), you need to contact support with your new ID and household registration documents for manual review.

Q: How do I check my KYC tier after it's approved?

Binance: Account Center → Identification → your current tier

OKX: Account Center → Security Center → Identity Verification

Every platform shows your current KYC tier somewhere in "Account Center" or your profile page.

Q: Does KYC information get shared with tax authorities?

Mainland China does not currently require offshore crypto exchanges to share users' KYC information with Chinese tax authorities. But starting in 2026, the multilateral CARF (Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework) will require offshore platforms to report to users' countries of tax residence. Over the next 5-10 years, mainland users may see their offshore exchange data eventually shared with Chinese tax authorities.

Q: Can I still use a platform after failing KYC?

An account that failed KYC can only withdraw existing assets — it can't continue trading or depositing. After 3 failed attempts, the account is frozen and you'll need to contact support.

Sources

• Official KYC pages and announcements from each exchange (updated as of 2026-04-25)
• Binance's official announcement on the May 2025 KYC data leak
• The US CFTC settlement with KuCoin (January 2024)
• OECD CARF Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (updated August 2025)
• People's Bank of China notice on token financing risk, September 4, 2017

Risk disclaimer: This article is an independent third-party overview and does not constitute investment or legal advice. Using offshore crypto exchanges sits in a legal gray zone for mainland Chinese users, and any related risk is your own. All data reflects April 2026.