Guide · 4 min read
KYC ratings A-D explained
By the AltoSwap team · Reviewed and updated · Editorial policy
Short answerThe KYC rating shows how an exchange treats transactions that its risk systems flag. A means the exchange does not ask for identity verification. B means verification is rare and refunds are made without it. C means verification may be requested when a transaction is flagged. D means a flagged transaction may be held until verification is completed. Most swaps complete without any check on every rating; the grade tells you what happens in the exceptional case.
Why ratings exist
Instant exchanges do not ask you to register, but they are still businesses with anti-money-laundering obligations. Each one screens incoming deposits automatically. The overwhelming majority pass without the user noticing. Occasionally a deposit is flagged, for example because of the history of the coins, and the exchange has to decide what to do.
Exchanges handle that moment very differently, and the difference matters more than a fraction of a percent in rate. The KYC rating compresses each exchange's policy into one letter. The grades are assigned by the aggregation network that sources the offers shown on this site.
The four grades
| Grade | What it means | What to expect if flagged |
|---|---|---|
| A | No identity verification | The exchange does not run a KYC procedure. |
| B | Verification is rare | In the uncommon case of a blocked swap, the deposit is refunded without requiring documents. |
| C | Verification possible when flagged | The exchange may ask for identity or source-of-funds information before completing or refunding. |
| D | Funds can be held | A flagged deposit may be kept on hold until the verification is passed. |
How to use the rating
- For small everyday swaps, most users simply take the best rate and glance at the grade.
- For larger amounts, weigh the grade against the rate. A slightly lower payout from an A- or B-rated provider is often the better trade.
- Always enter a refund address. It is what makes a refund fast when a provider decides not to process a deposit.
- A rating is a description of policy, not a guarantee. Policies change, and exchanges must comply with the law in the places they operate.
How the grades are used
The swap form on AltoSwap does the choosing for you. It uses A-rated exchanges, and moves to the next grade only when no A-rated exchange can do your swap. When that happens the form says so, and the grade of your route is always shown before you confirm, so nothing about it is a surprise.
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