The process of registering a Binance account is not complicated. The main flow can be completed in as little as 5 minutes, and with KYC and other reviews, it takes about half an hour. Beginners are most likely to get stuck on three stages: uploading KYC documents, binding payment methods, and making the first deposit. Below is a step-by-step breakdown of the entire process. Prepare a computer (or just use your phone) and open the Binance Official Site. Android users can simultaneously install the Binance Official App. iPhone users should first check the iOS Installation Guide to switch their App Store to a non-China region before starting the following steps.

What to Prepare Before Registration

The most common pitfall for newcomers is starting the process only to find they are missing something halfway through. Before opening an account, have the following ready:

  1. A frequently used email address or phone number—We recommend using your main email (Gmail, Outlook, etc.). Avoid temporary emails, as you will need this for 2FA resets and withdrawal verification later.
  2. Original ID card or passport—KYC requires taking and uploading photos of both sides. Both sides must be clear, and all four corners must be within the frame.
  3. A phone with a camera—The second step of KYC involves liveness detection, where you need to blink or turn your head according to prompts.
  4. A stable network environment—You will receive SMS and email verification codes during registration; an unstable network can lead to timeouts.
  5. Think about how you will buy crypto later—Mainland users primarily use P2P (buying USDT from sellers using Alipay/WeChat/Bank Card). So, have Alipay/WeChat installed on your phone in advance, and it's best to prepare a bank card for large transfers.

Tip: For all steps requiring photos, using a phone results in a much higher pass rate than a computer webcam.

Step 1: Email Registration and Password Setup

Open the Binance Official Site, click "Register" in the top right corner, and choose "Email" or "Phone Number". Either way works; the only difference is where the verification code is sent.

Fill in your email, set a password (at least 8 characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters and numbers). The "Referral ID" is optional. Check the Terms of Service and click "Create Account".

Immediately after, the system will ask for a "Puzzle Verification" (drag the slider to align the piece) and an "Email/Phone Verification Code". The code usually arrives within 30 seconds; if you don't receive it, resend it once. Avoid clicking the button multiple times simultaneously, as this can trigger risk control.

For the password step, it is strongly recommended to use a password manager to generate a random password (such as 1Password, Bitwarden, or KeePass). Do not use your "common password," as the consequences of a credential stuffing attack on a Binance account are severe.

Step 2: Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)

The first thing to do after successful registration is to go to Security Settings and enable 2FA. This is Binance's most important security gate—once 2FA is on, even if someone gets your password, they cannot log in without the dynamic verification code from your phone.

Go to "Security -> Two-Factor Authentication", and you will see 4 types of 2FA:

  • Google Authenticator / Binance Authenticator—Highly recommended; it generates a 6-digit dynamic code offline.
  • YubiKey Hardware Key—More secure but requires purchasing hardware; usually for experienced users.
  • SMS Verification—Enable it if possible, but due to risks of carrier hijacking, do not rely solely on SMS.
  • Email Verification—Use it in conjunction with other methods.

Beginners should at least enable Google Authenticator + Email. When adding the Authenticator, remember to copy the recovery key onto paper and keep it safe. In case you lose or change your phone, you can use it to recover access. For a detailed guide, see "How to Enable 2FA on Binance (Google Authenticator Guide)".

Step 3: Complete KYC Identity Verification

KYC (Know Your Customer) is the identity verification required by Binance. Without it, you cannot trade via P2P or withdraw to a bank card.

Enter the "Identity Verification" page and select your ID type (ID card, passport, etc., are all supported). Then:

  1. Fill in personal information—Name, ID number, date of birth, and address. All fields must match your ID exactly; any errors will cause the audit to fail, requiring a resubmission.
  2. Upload the front and back of your ID—Place the ID under even lighting to avoid glare. All four corners must be in the frame.
  3. Liveness detection—Blink, turn your head left and right, or open your mouth according to the prompts. Ensure there is sufficient light and that you are not wearing glasses or a mask.

After submission, the review usually takes 5–30 minutes, though it can take 1–2 hours in slower cases. Failure is usually due to blurry photos or a mismatch between the info and the ID; just resubmit if this happens.

Q: What if KYC is stuck in review for more than 24 hours? A: First, confirm that the ID type submitted matches your nationality (e.g., submitting a Hong Kong ID for Chinese nationality will get stuck). Then, submit a "KYC Acceleration" ticket through the support system.

Step 4: Bind Payment Methods (For P2P Trading)

Once KYC is passed, go to "Wallet -> P2P -> Payment Methods" to bind your payment channels. The real name must match your KYC name, or your payments will be rejected.

Supported payment channels:

  • Bank Card—Most stable and fastest for arrival.
  • Alipay—Usable, but do not include sensitive words like "Crypto," "USDT," or "Digital Currency" in the payment remarks, as this will trigger risk control.
  • WeChat—Can be bound, but it is often rejected by sellers in the P2P portal.

Beginners are advised to prioritize bank cards.

Step 5: Buy Your First Batch of USDT

USDT is a stablecoin (1 USDT ≈ $1) and serves as the "intermediary currency" for all subsequent trades. For your first purchase, we recommend buying an equivalent of 100–500 CNY to get the hang of it before increasing the amount.

Go to "P2P Trading," select "Buy -> USDT -> CNY," and filter by your payment method (Bank Card / Alipay). Then:

  1. Choose a seller with many orders and a high completion rate. Sellers with ≥ 1000 completed orders and a completion rate ≥ 99% are preferred.
  2. Click "Buy," enter the amount, and confirm the order.
  3. Manually transfer funds according to the seller's payment info shown in the order. Do not copy the order number into the transfer remarks (sensitive words trigger risk control).
  4. After the transfer is complete, return to Binance and click "Transferred, Notify Seller". Wait for the seller to release the crypto (usually 1–5 minutes).
  5. After receiving the USDT, you can see your balance in "Funding -> P2P."

Once released, this USDT is in your Funding account. You can transfer it to your "Spot Account" to start trading.

Step 6: Transfer USDT to Spot Account to Start Trading

Go to "Wallet -> Spot -> Transfer," move funds from "Funding Account (P2P)" to "Spot Account," and select "Max" for the amount.

Then go to the "Spot Trading" page, search for the coin you want to buy (e.g., BTC, ETH), and place a buy order. Beginners only need to use "Market Order" for now; you can use limit orders once you are more familiar.

At this point, you have successfully completed the entire Binance registration and your first trade. All subsequent features (Futures, Earn, Launchpool) are built on this foundation.

Security Reminders During Registration

  • Do not use any "proxy registration" services—Giving your account info to others is equivalent to giving them your account.
  • Save your 2FA recovery code—The reset process is extremely tedious if lost, requiring a support ticket, liveness check, and ID verification.
  • Do not log in to Binance on public Wi-Fi—Use your home network or mobile data.
  • Do not click on private messages from "Binance Support"—Official support will not initiate contact. Anyone claiming to be "support" who contacts you first is 100% a scammer.

FAQ

Q: Does it cost money to register on Binance? A: It is completely free. There are no fees for registration, KYC, or holding assets. Fees are only deducted during trading (standard spot fee is 0.1%, which can be reduced with VIP levels and BNB deductions).

Q: How many Binance accounts can I register with one ID? A: Only one. Registering multiple accounts will trigger risk control, and serious cases can lead to all accounts being frozen.

Q: What if my phone number is already in use? A: Use a different phone number or register with an email. If you are sure the number belongs to you, submit a ticket to "Recover Account."

Q: Can I register if I am 18? A: You must be 18 or older; KYC will verify your birth date from your ID.

Q: What if the "Start KYC" button doesn't appear after registration? A: Refresh the page or log out and log back in. If it still doesn't appear, it might be due to regional detection; go to "Personal Info -> Residence" and change it to an allowed country.

Q: What is the first thing I should do after registering? A: Enable 2FA, complete KYC, and bind payment methods. Complete these three steps in order before considering a deposit, otherwise, you might get stuck in the middle.