Fake crypto trading sites: how to check one
There's no single list of every fake site, because new ones appear daily. Official trackers and a few quick checks catch most of them.
No one keeps a complete list of fake crypto trading sites, because scammers launch new ones every day. Check a platform against official trackers, such as California's Crypto Scam Tracker and the CFTC's RED List, and then check that it's registered where you live. If someone you met online sent you the link, or the site shows big profits you can't withdraw, treat it as a scam.
Official lists to check
| List | Who runs it | What's on it |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto Scam Tracker | California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation | Apparent crypto scams reported by the public, searchable by company name, website and scam type |
| RED List | US Commodity Futures Trading Commission | Foreign firms that appear to be offering trading to US customers without the required registration |
| BrokerCheck | FINRA | Registered brokers and firms; if a "broker" isn't here, be careful |
| Your state securities regulator | NASAA directory | Who to ask whether a firm is licensed in your state |
Being on a list isn't proof of fraud, and not being on one isn't proof a site is safe. Scam sites change names and web addresses constantly, so a brand-new site won't be listed yet.
The 2-minute check before you deposit
- How did you find it? A link from someone you met on a dating app, social media, WhatsApp or a wrong-number text is the classic start of a "pig butchering" scam.
- Search the exact name and web address with the word "scam", and check the lists above.
- Look up the registration. A US platform should be registered with FinCEN as a money services business and licensed in your state. Claims like "regulated in the US" with no license number are a warning sign.
- Check the web address carefully. Lookalike domains (an extra letter, a different ending) copy real exchanges.
- Try a small withdrawal first. Fake platforms let your "balance" grow but block or delay withdrawals.
- Never pay a fee or "tax" to unlock a withdrawal. Real exchanges take fees from the amount you withdraw; they don't ask you to send more money first.
Or answer a few questions in the scam checker.
Signs a trading site is fake
- Guaranteed or very high returns, often daily percentages.
- A "mentor", "assistant" or new online friend guiding your trades.
- Profits on screen but problems withdrawing, or new fees, taxes or "security deposits" to release your money.
- Pressure to deposit more to reach a "VIP level" or before a deadline.
- Customer support only through chat apps, and no real address or license.
- An app you had to install from a link instead of an official app store.
If you already sent money
Stop sending more, save every message and transaction ID, and report it to the FBI at ic3.gov, the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and, in California, the DFPI. Be very wary of anyone who offers to recover your crypto for a fee: "recovery" scams target people who've just been scammed. More in crypto scams.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a list of fake crypto trading websites?
There are official trackers, like California's Crypto Scam Tracker and the CFTC's RED List, but no list is complete. New fake sites appear daily, so also check the platform's registration and how you were introduced to it.
How can I tell if a crypto exchange is legit?
Check that it's registered in your country (in the US, with FinCEN and your state), search its exact web address with "scam", reach it yourself rather than through a link, and test a small withdrawal before depositing more.
Why can't I withdraw from a crypto trading site?
If a platform asks you to pay a fee, tax or deposit before you can withdraw, it's almost certainly a scam. Don't send more money. Report it to ic3.gov.
Where to next
Sources
Written for beginners and checked against the sources listed. Last reviewed October 26, 2026. This page is educational and is not financial, tax or legal advice. How we write and check pages.