Exchange KYC
Updated 2026-09-29
Exchange KYC, short for know-your-customer, is the identity verification process a crypto exchange requires before letting someone deposit, trade, or withdraw funds. This usually includes a name, an identification document, and sometimes a photo or address.
Most licensed exchanges keep KYC records for every account, even ones opened using a fake or stolen identity, since the account itself still has a registration trail.
For a scam victim, KYC records matter because they can link a wallet address back to a real account holder. Exchanges do not normally release this information on request. It is usually obtained through a police investigation or a court order for disclosure.
When it matters
If funds are traced to an exchange, a police report is often the first step toward accessing that exchange’s KYC records through official channels.
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