CoinEx’s Approach to Token Listings: An Interview

In late January, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong called for a reassessment of token evaluation criteria, noting that approximately a million new assets emerge each week. Meanwhile, Changpeng Zhao (CZ) criticised Binance’s listing policy but acknowledged that exchanges, amid fierce competition, strive to add trending coins as swiftly as possible.

We spoke with Jeff Ko, a leading analyst at CoinEx, who is responsible for a “balanced approach” to listings. The exchange aims to stay on trend by adding promising projects at early stages but does not support “every new token.”

Together with the expert, we explore how CEX adapt their listing policies amid the meme token boom, how to safely trade new assets, and how CoinEx’s strategy differs from competitors.

ForkLog: In January, CZ criticised the listing process on exchanges, calling it “broken.” He noted that the short interval between a token’s announcement and its addition leads to sharp price increases on DEX, after which investors immediately sell the asset on CEX. Do you agree with this criticism?

Jeff Ko: Each exchange has its own listing process, which constantly evolves based on market reactions. We strive to find a balance between efficiency and price stability. Volatility spikes before a listing on decentralised exchanges are common, and each platform develops its own strategies to smooth them out.

ForkLog: How is the listing process organised at CoinEx?

Jeff Ko: We thoroughly evaluate each token, considering community activity, regulatory requirements, and technical characteristics. Key factors in the listing decision are technological innovations and the asset’s demand among users.

ForkLog: Do you always interact with the development team before listing, or is trader interest the main factor?

Jeff: Before listing, we definitely communicate with project representatives to understand their long-term plans. Meetings can be held both offline and online.

After listing, we maintain contact to monitor the development of the blockchain or token. In some cases, collaboration within marketing initiatives is possible.

Trader interest is important, but in the long term, developer engagement plays a key role.

ForkLog: CZ also noted that due to competition, exchanges often rush to list assets. How much time does CoinEx spend studying a project?

Jeff: We do not sacrifice quality for speed. Our priority is a thorough check for compliance with regulatory and technical standards. We analyse the team’s reputation, community engagement, on-chain data, and the project’s value to users. The timeline depends on the project’s complexity, but our priority is balancing promptness with responsible analysis.

ForkLog: Speaking of complexity, how does the process of listing meme tokens differ from listing more fundamental projects like native L1 blockchain tokens?

Jeff: Meme tokens primarily depend on community activity and market demand. In their evaluation, we focus on on-chain data and user engagement.

Utility tokens are developed by teams with a clear vision. In their listing, we analyse success history, technological solutions, risks, and the coin’s utility. This requires significant technical resources and preparation, including node and infrastructure setup. But regardless of complexity, our main priority remains the project’s reliability and long-term potential.

ForkLog: What measures does CoinEx take to maintain high listing quality amid fierce competition?

Jeff: We apply a unified evaluation system to all assets without exception, which includes:

• team study. We get acquainted with the developers, roadmap, and technical innovations;
• community engagement assessment. An active community often indicates the project’s legitimacy;
• asset utility. We consider real use cases of the token;
• on-chain analysis. We identify potential risks related to fraud, low liquidity, and price manipulation.

These measures help us maintain user trust and uphold the high quality of tokens presented on CoinEx.

ForkLog: Can you give examples of assets that have significantly grown after listing on CoinEx?

Jeff: Oh, there are quite a few. Recently, I can recall the boom of AI agent tokens. We were the first to notice projects like ai16z (AI16Z), Fartcoin (FARTCOIN), and Virtuals Protocol (VIRTUAL). They showed high returns at the peak of this trend.

Another interesting example is Berachain. The project attracted over $142 million from leading investors, including Polychain Capital and OKX Ventures. It combines the Ethereum ecosystem with the speed and scalability of Cosmos, making it a strong player among L1 blockchains. One of its tokens — HENLO — gained significant liquidity after listing on CoinEx.

ForkLog: How often does CoinEx delist tokens? What factors are decisive?

Jeff: Delisting is an integral part of the platform’s work, aimed at maintaining the quality of assets on the platform. Projects are regularly reviewed, and if an asset no longer meets our standards, we part ways with it.

CoinEx has developed its own AI-based risk management tools that analyse social media activity and on-chain data. If a project is not developing, fails to deliver on its promises, or is noted for unethical behaviour, we respond immediately.

ForkLog: What recommendations can you give to traders trading new tokens?

Jeff: Trading new tokens carries both opportunities and significant risks.

First, thoroughly research the project, team, and tokenomics. A small number of holders and large unlocks can create selling pressure.

Second, do not rush to buy a token in the first seconds after trading starts. In the first hours, it is better to just observe market sentiment, as the price can fluctuate greatly. Do not succumb to FOMO and avoid impulsive decisions.

If you still decide to purchase a new token, manage risks: set stop losses, control position sizes, and read ForkLog to stay informed of the latest events.