Starting safely on MEXC: a 7-step checklist
Most losses on crypto exchanges come not from the exchange being hacked but from user mistakes: phishing, weak passwords, trading with high leverage. This checklist closes the main gaps before you deposit anything.
Step 0. Make sure you are allowed to use the exchange
MEXC restricts access in a number of countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, mainland China and Kazakhstan. Open the terms of use on the official site and find the section on prohibited jurisdictions.
Step 1. Only use a verified address
- Bookmark the exchange's official address and only log in from that bookmark.
- Don't follow links from search ads, direct messages, Telegram chats or emails "from support".
- Install the app only from the official App Store or Google Play, or from the link on the official site.
Step 2. A unique password and a separate email
Use a password manager and a long, unique password. A good habit is a dedicated email used only for exchanges, also protected with two-factor authentication. If a password from another service leaks, your exchange account stays protected.
Step 3. Turn on every layer of protection
| Protection | Why |
|---|---|
| Authenticator app or passkey | Safer than SMS: a SIM card can be fraudulently reissued. |
| Anti-phishing code | A secret phrase that appears in every genuine email from the exchange. No code means the email is fake. |
| Withdrawal address whitelist | Even with access to your account, an attacker can't withdraw to their own address. |
| Device and session review | Check active sessions regularly and end any you don't recognize. |
Step 4. Verify the reserves yourself
MEXC publishes a monthly Merkle-tree Proof of Reserves, which means you can confirm your balance is counted in the report:
- Open the Proof of Reserves section in your account or on the exchange's site.
- Find your identifier and record hash in the latest snapshot.
- Check the hash against the Merkle root using the built-in tool or an open-source verifier.
If your balance isn't in the report, contact support and don't keep large amounts on the exchange.
Step 5. Don't keep everything on the exchange
An exchange account is a wallet whose keys belong to the exchange. Funds you aren't trading are safer in your own wallet, either hardware or non-custodial. Write your seed phrase down offline only and never share it with anyone, including "support".
Step 6. Be careful with futures and leverage
High leverage is the main tool retail traders lose money with. At 50x leverage, a 2% move against your position can wipe out the entire margin.
- Start with spot. Move to futures only once you understand liquidation and funding mechanics.
- Use isolated margin and stop-losses.
- Risk only a small share of your balance per trade, for example 1–2%.
- Factor in the funding rate when holding positions.
Step 7. Be careful with new listings
MEXC adds new tokens quickly. Before buying, check the pair's liquidity, how tokens are distributed across wallets, whether the smart contract has been audited and whether the team is real. A sharp price spike in the first hours of a listing is often followed by an equally sharp drop.
Common scams
- "Support" on Telegram asking for your seed phrase, 2FA code or a transfer "to unlock" your account. Real support never does this.
- Clone sites with lookalike domains and search ads.
- "Guaranteed returns" and signals from "analysts" who ask you to send funds to their addresses.
- Fake giveaways in the exchange's name on social media: "send 0.1 ETH, get 0.2 ETH back".
For products, fees and regulatory status, read the full MEXC 2026 review.