KuCoin KYC is mandatory. Since August 31, 2023, every new user has to pass identity verification with a photo ID and a face check before using KuCoin’s products. Verified accounts can withdraw up to 999,999 USDT per 24 hours. Accounts that have not finished verification sit somewhere between 0 and 30,000 USDT.
Older guides still describe KuCoin as a no-KYC exchange. That stopped being true in 2023. Here is what the exchange’s own help center says today.
Key Takeaways
- KYC has been mandatory for new KuCoin users since August 31, 2023.
- Verification needs a government ID and a live face check.
- Verified accounts can withdraw up to 999,999 USDT per 24 hours.
- Unverified legacy accounts can only sell, close positions, redeem and withdraw.
- One person can verify only one KuCoin account.
Is KYC Required on KuCoin?
Yes. KuCoin’s Identity Verification Guide, last updated August 14, 2026, puts it plainly: new users must complete Identity Verification in order to use KuCoin’s products and services.
KuCoin first introduced verification on November 1, 2018, when it was optional and unverified accounts could trade freely. The rules tightened in two steps during 2023:
- May 30, 2023: KuCoin set daily withdrawal limits by how much information an account had provided: 20,000 USDT after registration, 25,000 USDT with basic personal info, 30,000 USDT with a photo ID and selfie, and 1,000,000 USDT after facial recognition.
- August 31, 2023: Full verification became compulsory for new users, with an ID document and face verification.
That history explains the “0 to 30,000 USDT” range KuCoin still shows for accounts that have not completed verification.
KuCoin Withdrawal Limits by Verification Status
| Verification status | Crypto withdrawal limit (24 hours) | P2P limit |
|---|---|---|
| Not completed | 0 to 30,000 USDT, depending on how much KYC information was provided | Not available |
| Completed (individual) | 999,999 USDT | 500,000 USDT |
These figures come from KuCoin’s help center. KuCoin says it adjusts requirements and benefits based on platform security, local compliance rules and product type, so the limit on your own withdrawal page is the one that counts.
What Unverified KuCoin Accounts Can Still Do
This only matters if you registered before August 31, 2023 and never verified. New sign-ups cannot use the platform without KYC at all.
Legacy unverified accounts are in wind-down mode. You can get out of positions, but you cannot open new ones.
| Feature | Unverified account | Verified account |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto deposit | Not available | Available |
| Fiat deposit and card purchases | Not available | Available |
| Spot trading | Sell orders only | Available |
| Futures trading | Reduce or close positions only | Available, max leverage 125x |
| Margin trading | Sell and repay only, no new borrowing | Available |
| KuCoin Earn | Redeem only | Available |
| Convert and pre-market trading | Not available | Available |
| Crypto withdrawal | Allowed, at the limit shown on the withdrawal page | Up to 999,999 USDT per 24 hours |
| API creation | Not available | Available |
Withdrawals are not blocked. KuCoin states that withdrawal services are not affected for these older accounts, so you can still move funds off the exchange.
Why KuCoin Made KYC Mandatory
KuCoin gives two reasons. The first is regulation: it says the tighter process is meant to meet legal requirements and curb money laundering and terrorist financing.
The second is account safety. If you forget your login details or your account is compromised, the identity information on file helps you recover it. Verified users can also use KuCoin’s fiat services, which unverified accounts cannot touch.
There is a practical upside too. Verified accounts get API creation and sub-account trading, both blocked for unverified users.
Documents KuCoin Accepts
KuCoin lists four document types that are typically accepted:
- ID card
- Driver’s license
- Passport
- Residence permit
Photos must be JPG or PNG. One person can verify only one KuCoin account, so you cannot reuse the same ID on a second account.
How to Complete KuCoin KYC
Log in, open Account Center, then choose Identity Verification. The individual flow has five steps:
- Select the country or region that issued your document. It has to match the document.
- Select your ID type.
- Photograph the front and back of the document. Keep the whole document in frame, held straight, with no blur.
- Complete face verification in a well-lit place with your face fully inside the frame.
- Wait about one minute, then confirm the details KuCoin read from your ID: first name, last name and ID number.
The application then goes to review automatically. KuCoin sends the result by email and shows it on the Identity Verification page.
Failed? Open Identity Verification, read the reason given, and click Re-Verify to submit again.
Institutional accounts
Companies use a separate route. Choose “Switch to Institutional Verification” on the same page, and a KuCoin review officer follows up by email. Compare this with Kraken’s verification levels, which run on a tiered system instead of one pass-or-fail check.
Does KYC Change Your KuCoin Fees?
No. Verification decides what you can do and how much you can withdraw. Your KuCoin trading fees depend on your 30-day volume and whether you pay fees with KCS.
What to Watch Out For
- Old no-KYC advice. Any guide saying you can sign up and trade on KuCoin without ID is out of date.
- Country mismatch. The issuing country you pick must match your document, or the review fails.
- One ID, one account. A second account with the same identity will not verify.
- Changing limits. KuCoin adjusts limits by region and risk. Check your withdrawal page before planning a large transfer.
Should You Verify an Old KuCoin Account?
If you plan to keep trading there, yes. An unverified account cannot deposit, buy on spot, open futures positions or subscribe to Earn products. It is an exit-only account.
If you only want your funds out, you do not have to verify first. Sell or close what you hold, then withdraw within the limit shown on your withdrawal page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need KYC to use KuCoin?
Yes. Since August 31, 2023, new users must complete Identity Verification before using KuCoin’s products and services. It requires an ID document and face verification.
What is the KuCoin withdrawal limit after KYC?
KuCoin’s help center lists 999,999 USDT per 24 hours for accounts that completed verification. Accounts that have not completed it are limited to between 0 and 30,000 USDT, depending on how much information they provided.
What documents does KuCoin accept for KYC?
KuCoin typically accepts an ID card, driver’s license, passport or residence permit. Photos must be JPG or PNG, and the issuing country you select has to match the document.
Can I still withdraw from an unverified KuCoin account?
Yes. For accounts registered before August 31, 2023 that never verified, KuCoin says withdrawal services are not affected. Deposits and new buy orders are blocked.
Does KuCoin verification affect trading fees?
No. Fees depend on 30-day trading volume and KCS fee payment, not on verification status.
