Various ICO-related prices are shooting up and therefore in our previous article, we looked into the process of applying to free ICO listing websites. To continue on this topic, we’ve decided to explore the possibility of getting your token added to cryptocurrency exchanges without any cash outlay.

Way 1: completely free

This is, naturally, the best option, as instead of spending anywhere from 3 to 50 BTC or even more on listing, your altcoin will be published absolutely free of charge. There are several ways to get to the Crypto Promised Land.

First, some respected exchanges like Bittrex and Gate.io are willing to list ICOs for free. Needless to say, getting your token added to such platforms will instantly give it a boost and help gain a considerable reputation on the market. However, as the exchange’s good name is at stake, the review process is stringent and might be lengthy as well.

Second, you may submit your token to some middle-size exchanges such as YoBit where there are three listing types, one of them being free. The catch is that in comparison with the premium and exclusive options, it doesn’t guarantee that your token will be considered and added to the exchange within a certain number of days. So, again, the process might take a long time.

Third, you can always find smaller exchanges that are seeking to grow and expand the number of ICOs they are trading. As a result, they are less choosy and more likely to list your altcoin. A good example would be Stocks.exchange.

Finally, from time to time cryptocurrency exchanges of various calibers run vote contests; the main prize, as you might have guessed, is a free listing. For instance, just a couple of days ago KuCoin held such a competition, and the lucky winner will soon be added to the trading platform.

Way 2: pseudo-free listing

On some exchanges listing per se is free, but platforms will charge you hidden fees, most commonly for marketing services. For example, you don’t need to pay for getting your altcoin listed on OKEx, but the exchange will require you to sink some digital money into the token’s marketing campaign.

They are some other charging models as well. One of them is used by Bancor and implies levying approximately 1% of the total supply after the ICO has been published. Cobinhood, in contrast, doesn’t collect any fees for itself, but will still ask you to pay a certain amount of money in your tokens which will later be distributed to their community as airdrop rewards.

The application

The application for exchanges to some extent resembles that for listing websites. As a rule, you will need to impart the following information regarding your ICO:

Background (name, type, various dates, concept description, etc)

White paper

Community (links to social media)

Trading (if the token has been listed on other platforms, trading volume)

In addition, some exchanges will request that you provide details concerning the legal and security aspects of your altcoin.

Final thoughts

Getting your coin published for free on an exchange is definitely more difficult than on a listing website. Nevertheless, it is not impossible. If you’re offering a truly innovative product that has great potential, exchanges will certainly be interested in adding your token to their trading platform.