I. CEX Is Not a Bank – It’s a Marketplace, It’s a Jungle
- Exchanges don’t list tokens out of goodwill. They sell services, and you’re a client—not a VIP.
Their priorities:
- Trading volume.
- Active users.
- Media-ready projects.
- Listing fees ($50K–$500K, depending on the exchange).
Listing isn’t the finish line—it’s where the real game begins.
II. Exchange Deal Negotiation: The Art of Midnight Diplomacy
1. Types of Listings
| Listing Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Paid Listing | Project pays upfront for market pairs and PR support. |
| Cooperative Listing | Rare; exchange lists for free if they see potential. |
| Launchpad Listing | Typically for projects hosting IDOs on the exchange. |
Pro Tip: Paying is fine, but know what you’re buying. Avoid shelling out $100K for a token with zero volume.
2. The Real Costs of Listing
- Listing fee: $30K–$250K.
- Market maker (MM): $10K–$100K/month.
- Liquidity provision: $50K–$300K for artificial depth.
- PR support: $5K–$50K.
Total budget for a top-10 CEX listing:
- Minimum: $100K–$300K.
- Ideal: An MM with exchange connections + strong community backing.
3. Communicating with Exchanges
When pitching:
- Use a one-page PDF with tokenomics.
Prove your project has:
- An active community.
- DEX trading volume.
- Media coverage.
- Outline post-listing plans (staking, events, etc.).
Be blunt. Exchanges review 1,000 projects weekly. They prefer transparency over hype.
III. Market Makers: Allies or Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing?
1. What Is a Market Maker (MM)?
A middleman who:
- Creates artificial liquidity.
- Maintains order books to simulate trading activity.
- Keeps price slippage low.
2. MM Tactics
- Projects provide tokens + USDT.
- MMs manipulate order books to fake volume.
Without contracts, MMs can:
- Dump tokens during pumps.
- Trigger price crashes.
3. Working with MMs Safely
Demand clear contracts:
- Vest tokens gradually.
- Ban unauthorized dumping.
- Set price stability clauses.
Reputable MMs:
- GSR, Wintermute, Gotbit, Flowdesk.
Or be your own MM if you have a skilled trading team—retain control.
IV. Post-Listing Survival: Keeping Your Token Alive
1. Activate Trading Community
- Host trading competitions.
- Reward top traders with tokens (not USDT).
2. Sustain Media Momentum
- Publish 2–3 PR pieces (Cointelegraph, CoinDesk).
- Weekly AMAs.
- Influencer collaborations.
Lose momentum = drown in low-volume obscurity.
3. Get Listed on Trackers
- CoinMarketCap, CoinGecko, etc.
→ Legitimizes your token.
4. Create Token Utility
- Staking/farming programs.
- DAO voting.
- Fee discounts in your ecosystem.
V. Classic Post-Listing Death Traps
- No MM → Empty order books.
- MM dumps → $1 → $0.01.
- No volume → Delisting.
- No use case → "Ghost token" syndrome.
VI. Conclusion: To Survive CEX Listings, Pack More Than Paper Wings
Listing isn’t salvation—it’s a battlefield shift:
- From fundraising → to maintaining price and growing users.
Without preparation:
- Exchanges/MMs will eat you alive.
- Investors lose faith.
With strategy:
- Real volume.
- Organic FOMO.
- Long-term credibility.
👉 Need expert guidance to navigate CEX deals?
FAQs
Q: How do I choose the right exchange?
A: Prioritize those with high liquidity in your token’s niche and clear fee structures.
Q: Can I list without a market maker?
A: Technically yes, but expect zero volume and rapid delisting.
Q: What’s the biggest post-listing mistake?
A: Neglecting community engagement—tokens die without active traders.
Q: How much should I budget for PR?
A: Allocate 10–20% of your listing fee for sustained media coverage.