After thorough investigation, CEX.IO has been verified as a compliant and regulated cryptocurrency exchange operating within applicable regulations across multiple jurisdictions. Founded in 2013, CEX.IO has built a decade-long compliance track record and serves users across nearly 200 countries.
Regulatory Compliance Status:
In the US, CEX.IO Corp. is registered as a Money Services Business (MSB) with FinCEN and holds money transmitter licences in over 35 states. In Europe, CEX.IO EU VASP UAB operates under Lithuanian supervision as a registered Virtual Asset Service Provider. In the UK, CEX.IO voluntarily suspended onboarding in October 2023 to fully comply with the FCA’s new financial promotions regulations and subsequently resumed operations in September 2024 after meeting all compliance requirements. The exchange is also PCI DSS certified and adheres to AML and KYC requirements globally.
User Protection Features:
- 98% of user funds stored in offline cold wallets across multiple secure locations
- Two-factor authentication, device binding, and optional hardware key support
- Quarterly SOC 2 security audits
- 24/7 customer support with a dedicated compliance team
What This Means for Users:
CEX.IO is a legitimate and well-regulated option for individuals looking to buy, sell, or trade cryptocurrency. Its proactive approach to regulatory compliance — including voluntarily pausing UK operations until FCA requirements were fully met — reflects a higher-than-average commitment to user protection. As with all crypto platforms, assets are not government-backed and values remain volatile. Always enable two-factor authentication and avoid sharing login credentials.
