List of Fake Crypto Exchanges You Must Avoid in 2025 🚨 (Top Scam List)

Imagine a shiny new crypto trading website promising huge profits with zero risk. It looks real, with fancy charts and a professional design. You deposit your money, hoping it will grow. But when you try to withdraw your funds – poof! – the website won’t let you, or it disappears entirely. Sadly, this isn’t a rare story. In 2024 alone, Americans lost a staggering $9.3 billion to crypto scams – a 66% jump from the year before coindesk.com. Many of these scams involved fake crypto exchanges where scammers pretend to be legitimate platforms offering Bitcoin or other coins, but in reality they’re just traps to steal your money.

In 2025, you’ll see the terms crypto fraud and crypto fraudsters in the news more than ever. Government regulators and security experts are sounding the alarm. For example, the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) has created a Crypto Scam Tracker listing recent bogus platforms reported by consumers file-1wjhbjxpnacdihfiviq4zf. They note that imposter websites with look-alike names are a common trap. The DFPI warns people to always search any exchange’s name online along with words like “scam” or “complaints” before trusting it file-1wjhbjxpnacdihfiviq4zf. The bottom line is that the latest crypto scams show no sign of stopping – it’s up to all of us to stay informed and skeptical.

Important: The list of fake crypto exchanges below will help you recognize some of the known scam sites in 2025. Even a 10-year-old can understand that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Let’s learn about these fake exchanges and how to avoid getting tricked.

List of Fake Crypto Exchanges in 2025

Notable Fake Exchanges to Avoid

Drawing on official warnings and investigations, here are some known fake crypto exchanges that you must avoid in 2025. These scam exchanges have been flagged by experts for fraudulent behavior – if you see any of these names, stay away!

• I Texus Trade – A bogus trading platform flagged by regulators. This site lured people by pretending to be a legit exchange, but it’s completely fake. (One report said victims lost nearly $600,000 to I Texus Trade before they realized it was a scam! forteclaim.com)
• BravoFX – Aggressively advertised as a great trading site, but actually on multiple scam watchlists. BravoFX isn’t licensed or safe – it exists only to steal deposits.
• BIPPAX – Linked to spam investment groups promising huge returns. BIPPAX isn’t a real exchange at all; it’s just a website that takes your money and vanishes.
• Digi Coins – One of many sketchy exchanges with a generic name. Digi Coins has scammed users by pretending to be a “coins” marketplace, but it’s entirely fraudulent (not to be confused with any legitimate service with a similar name).
• Primegroup.global – A fake site that touts crypto “investment funds” with no real backing. It might show you fake profits on-screen, but you’ll never get your real money back from Primegroup.global.
• Bitcoin-win.com – Claims to be a Bitcoin exchange where you always “win,” but this site is pure scam. There’s no real trading happening – any money sent here is siphoned away by scammers coindesk.com.
• CoinWpro – A shady platform name that was even included in Binance’s scam alert list. CoinWpro is not a trustworthy exchange, no matter how professional the name sounds.
• DCEX Exchange – This site is an imitation of a real exchange name (there was a legitimate platform called DCEX related to Decred). The fake DCEX Exchange tricks people and then locks up any funds victims put in.
• 100Ex – Uses a very generic name to appear legitimate (“100Ex” sounds like other exchanges). In truth, 100Ex is a scam – it isn’t a registered exchange and it will disappear with your money.
• ExNow – A little-known site promoted as a “new and exciting” exchange. Reports indicate ExNow is completely fake, just another trap for the unwary.

These are just a few examples of fake exchanges. In fact, experts have identified dozens more scam sites. Binance’s community platform even shared a long list of suspect exchange names (including I Texus, Dartya, OS Option, Bitcoin-win.com, and many others) file-1wjhbjxpnacdihfiviq4zfbinance.com. Always be cautious if you come across an unfamiliar exchange name. A good habit is to check whether the platform appears in any known scam trackers or alert lists binance.combinance.com. If you search online and find no information about the exchange – no team members, no physical address, no mentions on reliable crypto news sites like CoinDesk or CoinTelegraph – that absence of information is a huge red flag. Real projects usually have some online presence and community trust. Scammers, on the other hand, operate in the shadows.

Before we move on, remember: legitimate crypto exchanges (like well-known ones such as Coinbase or Binance) have proper licenses, security measures, and a track record. Fake exchanges often lack any regulation or oversight, hide who is behind them, and make unrealistic promises to lure you in. If an exchange isn’t widely known, do extra research – or better yet, stick to established platforms for your crypto trading. And if you’re new to crypto, it’s wise to first learn the basics (for example, here’s a guide on how to create a crypto wallet securely) before jumping into any investments.

Fake Exchanges on Social Media (Telegram and More)

Scammers don’t just sit and wait for you to find their fake websites – they actively push these scams on social media. Telegram in particular has become a hotbed for crypto scams. Be very cautious when you encounter crypto offers or groups on Telegram, Discord, WhatsApp, or any online forum.

Some Telegram channels will even advertise a “list of fake crypto exchanges” or claim to provide “latest crypto scams” news to attract curious users. It sounds like they want to help you avoid scams, but watch out – these could easily be traps or misinformation! For example, a scammer might create a Telegram group named “Fake Exchange Alerts 2025” and post a link claiming to warn you about a dangerous exchange. If you click that link, it might silently download malware onto your device or direct you to another fake websitefile-1wjhbjxpnacdihfiviq4zf. In other words, the scammers pretend to be helpful guides but are actually setting up ambushes.

In fact, crypto phishing scams on Telegram have exploded in recent times. One security report found that Telegram-based crypto scams surged by over 2,000% since late 2024 binance.com. Scammers have realized that messaging apps are an easy way to find victims. They often impersonate helpful admins or bots. For instance, you might join a crypto discussion group and soon get a private message from someone offering a “great new exchange with low fees” – this is a big warning sign.

Here are a few tricks scammers use on social platforms:

• Fake “Verification” Bots: You might be told to use a bot on Telegram that supposedly verifies your account or wallet for a new exchange. In reality, these bots can install malicious software or steal your data binance.com. No real exchange makes you install a random bot for verification.
• Phony Giveaway or Investment Groups: Scammers create groups promising exclusive investment tips, giveaways, or “insider” info. They build trust and then drop a link to a fake exchange or a fake wallet app. If you follow their instructions, you could end up installing malware or sending funds to scammers binance.com.
• Impersonating Influencers: Fraudsters sometimes pretend to be famous crypto experts or YouTubers on platforms like Twitter (now X) or Telegram binance.com. They might use the same profile picture and name of a real influencer and say something like, “Join my Telegram group for the next big crypto pick!” Once you join, they bombard you with scam links or ask you to download a “trading tool” that is actually a virus. If someone on social media is pushing you to use a new exchange and wants you to install an app or bot, it’s almost certainly a cryptoscam.

The key takeaway here is: Don’t trust random messages or groups on social media, even if they claim to help you avoid scams. Scammers are very good at acting friendly and helpful to gain your trust. Always double-check information with reliable sources. If a Telegram group shares a “list of fake crypto exchanges,” verify that info through official channels or news sites before believing it. And never download apps or click links from strangers!

Crypto Fraudsters and Latest Crypto Scams in 2025

The world of crypto crime in 2025 is not just about fake exchanges – it’s a mix of many sophisticated schemes. Let’s take a quick look at the broader scam landscape (these are often collectively called cryptoscams — any scheme where scammers promise easy crypto profits):

• “Pig Butchering” Romance Scams: This strangely named scam is sadly effective. Here, scammers (often called crypto fraudsters) strike up a friendship or romance online (through dating apps or social media), earn the victim’s trust, and then convince them to invest in a fake crypto platform or coin. The term “pig butchering” refers to how scammers metaphorically “fatten up” the victim with affection before cutting them down by stealing their money. According to blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis, romance-investment scams like pig butchering jumped by about 40% in 2024 compared to the year before reuters.com. They were among the most successful scam types of the year.
• High-Yield Investment Scams: These scams promise outrageously high returns on your crypto investments – far beyond normal. For example, a scam site might guarantee you “double your Bitcoin in a week” or something that no legitimate investment would promise. Chainalysis reports that high-yield crypto investment scams (basically Ponzi schemes or fake funds) were especially lucrative in 2024 reuters.com. Remember, only scammers will guarantee profits or big returns. If someone online promises you quick and easy money in crypto, that’s a scam consumer.ftc.gov. Real investments have risk and no guaranteed rewards.
• Pump-and-Dump Token Schemes: Fraudsters create or hype up a new cryptocurrency token, spread rumors to drive up its price (the “pump”), then secretly sell all their holdings at the high price and disappear (the “dump”). Investors who bought in late are left with tokens that plummet in value. In everyday language, people would also call this kind of scheme a cryptoscam, since it’s a dishonest way to profit. Always be wary of unknown tokens being aggressively promoted, especially if they’re tied to small exchanges or Telegram groups.
• Phishing and Fake Wallets: Scammers use phishing emails, fake websites, and malicious apps to steal crypto wallet credentials. For example, they might send an email that looks like it’s from a real exchange or wallet (like Coinbase or MetaMask) saying “Your account is at risk, click here to secure it.” The link leads to a fake login page that steals your password. Or they promote a fake crypto wallet app that actually sends your private keys to the scammer datavisor.com. Once they have your keys or login, they can drain your accounts. In 2025, some scammers even pose as customer support or exchange staff via unsolicited calls or messages. The FBI warned that scammers impersonate crypto exchange employees, claim there’s a problem with your account, and pressure you to give up your login info ic3.gov. Never ever share your account passwords or 2FA codes – a real exchange will never ask for those via DMs or calls.
• Crypto ATM Scams (Targeting the Elderly): Believe it or not, physical cryptocurrency ATMs (the machines where you can buy Bitcoin for cash) have also been used in scams. Fraudsters impersonate government officials or bank employees on the phone, and instruct victims (often senior citizens) to deposit cash into a crypto ATM – telling them it’s for paying a fee or protecting their money. The cash actually converts to crypto and goes straight into the scammer’s wallet. Chainalysis noted that crypto ATM scams became a key hotspot, often tied to impersonation tricks and preying on less tech-savvy people reuters.com.

All these developments paint a serious picture. Crypto scams are getting more creative, and they have real consequences for people. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Americans reported a record $9.3 billion in losses to cryptocurrency-related crimes in 2024coindesk.com. That’s money that people thought they were investing or safeguarding, but it ended up stolen. This total was a 66% increase from the losses reported in 2023coindesk.com, showing how rapidly the scams have grown. Many of those losses came from fake investment schemes where “scammers pretend to offer high returns on fake cryptocurrency platforms”coindesk.com – exactly like the fake exchanges and high-yield scams we discussed.

A Quick Story of a Scam Victim

To understand how these scams play out, let’s look at a simplified story (a composite of real cases) about how someone can fall victim:

Jenny is interested in crypto but not very experienced. One day, she meets a friendly “crypto expert” on a social network who tells her about an amazing new exchange where profits are guaranteed. He shows her screenshots of people doubling their money. Jenny, excited by the success stories and the idea that Ripple (XRP) could reach $10 by 2025 (some people truly believe this might happen cryptopotato.com), decides to give it a try. She visits the exchange website, which looks very polished and professional. Jenny creates an account and deposits $500 worth of crypto.

Over the next week, the site shows her balance growing to $1,000 – wow, it looks like she’s making a huge return! Encouraged, she even tells a friend and thinks about adding more money. But when Jenny tries to withdraw her $1,000, the site stalls. A “customer service” agent from the exchange (actually the scammer) tells her she must pay a $100 fee to release the funds. She pays – and still nothing comes. Then they ask for even more money, claiming there’s a tax to pay. At this point Jenny realizes something is wrong. The “exchange” was fake, the profits on screen were just numbers to entice her, and now the scammers have disappeared. Unfortunately, Jenny’s $500 (and the extra fees) are gone for good.

This kind of story happens far too often. It shows how scammers exploit our hopes and trust. They might even reference real optimistic news (like a crypto market update in May 2025 showing prices going up, or exciting predictions such as XRP reaching $10) to make their pitch sound credible. They want you to think, “The market is booming, don’t miss out on this special chance!” But remember, no legitimate exchange or investment will ever guarantee you profits or require secret fees to withdraw your own money.

Staying Safe: How to Spot and Avoid Scams

By now, you might be wondering: “How can I protect myself from these crypto scams?” The good news is that you can avoid almost all scams by staying alert and following a few simple rules:

• If it’s too good to be true, it IS too good to be true. Scammers often lure people by promising something fantastic – like huge returns, zero risk, or exclusive opportunities. Whether it’s a fake exchange, a new coin, or a recovery service, no one can guarantee you’ll make big money quickly in crypto. As the U.S. Federal Trade Commission bluntly says: only scammers will promise you profits or big returns for sure consumer.ftc.gov. So if you see a crypto deal with “guaranteed” results, stay away – it’s a scam.
• Do your homework on any platform or person. Before you use any crypto exchange (or invest through a website), take time to research it. Search the name plus “scam” or “reviews”. Check if it’s regulated or licensed in your country. Look for a real team with public identities. Scammers hide in anonymity – if you can’t find who runs the exchange, that’s a bad sign. Also, browse crypto forums or communities to see if others have mentioned the site (good or bad). No info is usually bad info.
• Never give out private info or keys. Legitimate exchanges will never ask for your password, 2FA codes, or private wallet keys via email or chat. If someone claiming to be support staff contacts you out of the blue and asks for these, it’s a scam (like the FBI warning about fake exchange employees calling people ic3.gov). Similarly, don’t trust anyone offering to “recover” your lost crypto – sadly, if you lose crypto to a scam, there’s usually no way to get it back, and those who say they can (for a fee) are just scamming again ic3.gov. This tactic is known as a crypto scam recovery scam – targeting people who are already victims.
• Use security measures and trusted tools. Stick to well-known crypto exchanges or services that have good security records. Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts. Use official apps or websites (double-check the URL for imposters!). For storing your coins, consider using reputable wallets. Even then, remember even legitimate platforms can face risks – for instance, even the popular Exodus wallet had a hack incident latimes.com (see our coverage of the Exodus desktop wallet hack). If real products can be targeted, a fake exchange run by criminals is 100% unsafe. So be sure to keep your antivirus software up to date, don’t install unknown programs or browser extensions, and be careful when clicking links.
• Trust your instincts and ask questions. If something feels off or confusing, pause and think. Scammers often try to rush or pressure you (“Hurry, this offer ends today!” or “Your account will be lost if you don’t act now!”). Don’t fall for it. Take a breath, and maybe ask a knowledgeable friend or consult a crypto community you trust. Sometimes just talking it out can reveal the red flags. Education is your best defense – the more you learn about how crypto and exchanges really work, the harder it is for scammers to fool you. (Our site has many resources; for example, How Do I Create a Crypto Wallet? is a good starting guide for beginners.)

In summary: The crypto world is exciting and full of possibilities, but it also has its share of bad actors. Fake crypto exchanges and other cryptoscams are out there, but you now know what to look for. Always stay alert, do your due diligence, and remember that no genuine investment comes with guaranteed riches. If you stay informed and a bit skeptical, you can enjoy crypto safely and avoid the fraudsters. Stay safe out there, and happy (legit) trading!