Since August 31, 2023, KuCoin has required every new user to complete identity verification; without it you can't deposit, buy spot or open futures positions. You pick the country that issued your ID, photograph the front and back, and do a face check. Results usually come in 3–5 minutes and take at most 48 hours, and one person can verify only one account. KYC doesn't affect rebates: sign up with referral code FEEOTTER and KuCoin automatically returns 60% of your trading fees (checked October 2026).
This guide is based on KuCoin's identity verification guide, the web KYC tutorial, the KYC troubleshooting page and the page on updating verification details. It covers which features an unverified account loses, what your ID and photos must meet, how to fix the common rejection reasons, and how to re-verify when your ID expires or your name changes. Data is current as of 2026-10-07.
Sign up on KuCoin with code FEEOTTER and the exchange rebates 60% automatically, 3× the 20% most referral codes give. The code has to be used at registration; KYC itself doesn't change the rebate (see the end of the article).
KuCoin KYC at a glance
| Item | Official rule (as of 2026-10-07) |
|---|---|
| Who must verify | Every user registered on or after 2023-08-31 |
| Verification types | Individual and institutional |
| Accepted IDs | ID card, driver's license, passport (the main guide also lists residence permits) |
| Image format | JPG or PNG, ideally under 50 MB |
| Review time | Usually 3–5 minutes, up to 48 hours |
| Age | Rejected if the ID holder is under 18 |
| Accounts per person | One verified KuCoin account per person |
| 24-hour withdrawal limit | No fixed figure published; the withdrawal page shows yours |
Sources: KuCoin identity verification guide (updated 2026-08-14), KYC troubleshooting.
What can an unverified account do?
KuCoin's verification guide lists the difference between unverified and individually verified accounts:
| Feature | Unverified | Individual verified |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto deposits | No | Yes |
| Fiat deposits and withdrawals | No | Yes |
| Spot | Sell only, no buying | Yes |
| Margin | No new positions | Yes |
| Futures | Can't open or add to positions | Yes, up to 125x |
| API | No | Yes |
| Convert | No | Yes |
| Earn | Redemptions only | Yes |
An account registered after August 31, 2023 can do almost nothing until it is verified. Older accounts that were registered before that date and never verified can only sell, close futures and margin positions, and redeem from Earn. They can still withdraw but can no longer deposit.
125x is available only in the first position tier of the BTCUSDT perpetual; other contracts cap much lower. Details are in the KuCoin futures guide.
How to complete individual verification
- Open the verification page: log in and go to Account Center → Identity Verification.
- Choose the issuing country or region: it must match the country on your ID.
- Choose the ID type: the page lists the documents available for that country.
- Photograph the ID: use the original, find good light, allow camera access, and capture the front and back. Keep the whole document inside the frame, hold it straight, and make sure the image is sharp.
- Face check: keep your whole face inside the frame in good light, with no hat, glasses or filters.
- Confirm your details: after about a minute a pop-up asks you to confirm your first name, last name and ID number, then the system submits automatically. The result arrives by email.
Source: web KYC tutorial (updated 2026-08-14).
What must the ID meet?
- It must be the original, clear and complete. Printed, photocopied or scanned versions are refused.
- It must be within its validity period; expired IDs are rejected.
- It must show your full name, full date of birth, photo and issuing country.
- One document can be used for only one KuCoin account.
The two official pages disagree slightly on ID types: the verification guide lists ID cards, driver's licenses, passports and residence permits, while the troubleshooting page says only driver's licenses, passports and ID cards. Go by the types the verification page actually lets you pick.
Common rejection reasons and fixes
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| ID holder is under 18 | Only an adult can verify their own account |
| Blurry or unclear ID | Retake in good light and wait for focus before submitting |
| ID covered or cut off | Keep all four edges in frame and your fingers off the data |
| Expired ID | Use a document that is still valid |
| Invalid ID type | Use a driver's license, passport or ID card |
| Face obstructed during the face check | Remove hats and glasses, turn off filters, add light |
A failed attempt triggers an email explaining the problem. Go back to Account Center → Identity Verification to see the reason, fix it and try again. KuCoin doesn't publish a daily attempt limit. If nothing works, KuCoin suggests recording a video of the whole process and sending it to customer support.
Expired ID, new name or new nationality: updating verification
You need to update your verification if your ID has expired, the name on it has changed, the ID number has changed, or your nationality has changed. Either KuCoin emails you with a deadline to re-verify, or you contact support to reset KYC and then verify again.
Between the reset and passing again, the account counts as unverified: all deposits stop, the crypto withdrawal limit may be reduced or suspended, fiat withdrawals stop, and you can't create API keys, buy spot or open futures positions. If you have open positions or orders, deal with them before asking for a reset. Source: updating identity verification information (updated 2026-07-07).
Companies go through institutional verification; KuCoin asks them to email institutional_kyc@kucoin.com for a manual review.
One account per person: think before opening a new one
KuCoin allows one verified account per person. If you have already verified an account with your own ID, you can't switch to a different referral code by opening a second account. For what existing users can still do, see the KuCoin rebind guide.
Compliance and scams
For KuCoin's licence status by country, see exchange licences compared. In January 2025 KuCoin pleaded guilty in the US to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business and left the US market (US Department of Justice); US users are not served.
- Upload only in the official app or website: do the ID and face check only on the verification page of the account you logged into yourself.
- Don't use KYC agents: never hand your ID or face scan to anyone offering to "get you verified" or "open an account for you".
- Don't borrow or lend identities or accounts: one ID works for one account, and anything done in a lent account is done in your name.
KYC and your rebate
The rebate depends on the referral code used at registration, not on how far you got with KYC. Sign up with code FEEOTTER and KuCoin returns 60% of your fees automatically, spot and futures alike, 3× a typical 20% code; Fee Otter adds no extra rebate on KuCoin. A KuCoin referral code can't be added after registration, so make sure it is there when you sign up. See KuCoin referral code for details and the KuCoin fee rebate guide for worked numbers. Rates are set by the exchange and may change; the rebate rates page is the reference.
FAQ
Can I trade on KuCoin without KYC?
Not on an account registered after August 31, 2023. Unverified accounts can't deposit, buy spot or open futures positions.
How long does KuCoin KYC take?
Usually 3–5 minutes, and up to 48 hours depending on security and compliance checks. The result comes by email.
Which IDs does KuCoin accept?
ID cards, driver's licenses and passports; the main guide also lists residence permits. It must be an original and still valid. Go by what the verification page lets you select.
How many KuCoin accounts can one ID verify?
One. Each person can verify only one KuCoin account.
Do I need to re-verify when my ID expires?
Yes. An expired ID, a changed name or ID number, or a new nationality all require an update. Until you pass again the account is unverified, so deposits and new positions are blocked.
Does KYC affect my KuCoin rebate?
No. The rebate follows the code used at registration; with code FEEOTTER, KuCoin rebates 60% automatically.
Telegram · @feeotter
