A good rate is only half of a successful exchange. Blockchain transactions can't be reversed, and most losses don't come from market swings but from a mistyped address, the wrong network or trusting an unverified middleman. Below are the rules we follow ourselves and recommend to every client.
1. Check who you are trusting with your funds
Before you send your first coin, make sure the exchanger operates legally and transparently. In the European Union, crypto-asset services are governed by the MiCA Regulation. You can check a provider’s status in the ESMA register, and warnings about dishonest entities on the Polish KNF public warning list and the CERT Polska warning list.
- company details, address and registration number available on the website,
- clear terms of service, AML/KYC policy and fee table,
- real contact channels and support response times,
- customer reviews from independent sources, not only from the website itself.
If a service promises a rate clearly better than the market and requires no verification at all, that's not a bargain - it's a warning sign.
2. Address and network - two things you can't fix later
The most common mistake is sending a token to the right address but on the wrong network. USDT exists on TRC-20, ERC-20 and BEP-20, among others - the addresses look similar, and funds sent to an incompatible network are usually lost.
- Copy the address with the button - never retype it by hand.
- After pasting, compare the whole address, character by character - malware can swap the address in your clipboard, and scammers create addresses with identical first and last characters.
- Make sure the network in your wallet is identical to the network shown in the order.
- For larger amounts, send a small test transaction first.
We explain the differences between networks, fees and confirmation times in USDT on TRC-20, ERC-20 or BEP-20, and how to check a transfer in how to check a crypto transaction in a blockchain explorer.
3. Secure your accounts and wallets
Account access
Use a unique password from a password manager and app-based two-factor authentication (TOTP) or a hardware key. SMS codes are convenient but vulnerable to SIM swapping.
Storing cryptocurrency
Keep funds you don't need day to day in a wallet you fully control - ideally a hardware wallet. Write your recovery phrase (seed) down offline and keep it in two safe places. Nobody - including exchanger staff - has the right to ask for it.
You will find a full security checklist in our guide how to store cryptocurrency safely.
4. Recognise scams
- Fake support - a “consultant” messages you first on Telegram and asks for a transfer or your seed.
- Clone websites - the address differs by one letter; always open the site from a bookmark or type the domain yourself.
- Time pressure - “the rate is valid for 2 more minutes, send now”.
- Referral middleman - a private person offers a “no-fee” exchange outside the platform.
We describe more schemes and what to do after a scam in our article on crypto scams.
5. Check the total cost, not just the rate
The final amount depends on the rate, the service fee and the network fee. Compare what you will actually receive, not the headline rate. When the market is volatile, check whether the rate is locked for the time the order is processed.
Quick checklist
- The service shows company details and terms of use.
- Your account is protected by a unique password and 2FA.
- Address and network checked twice.
- For a large amount - a test transaction.
- Seed stored offline and never shared.
- Final amount known after all fees.
Unsure about a specific order? Message our support before sending funds - we will check the address and network with you.
Leave a Reply