Program Details
| Commission | Up to 60% of trading fees (LV1: 40%, LV2: 50%, LV3: 60%; basic: 15%) (Recurring) |
| Cookie Duration | Not disclosed |
| Network | Direct |
| Payment Methods | KuCoin account credit (same-currency settlement) |
| Min. Payout | Not disclosed |
| Payment Frequency | Daily (T+1) |
| Category | Cryptocurrency / Fintech |
| Countries | Global; restricted in Belgium, France, Netherlands, Turkey and other regulated markets |
| Website | www.kucoin.com |
KuCoin is a cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2017, now reporting over 40 million registered users across 200+ countries. It supports 1,000+ tokens with trading products covering spot, futures, margin, copy trading, automated bots, and staking. By trading volume, it sits in the top tier of global exchanges.
KuCoin Affiliate Program Overview
KuCoin runs its affiliate program in-house at kucoin.com/affiliate – no third-party network involved. The model is revenue share: affiliates earn a cut of trading fees paid by their referred users. As long as those users keep trading, commissions keep flowing.
New affiliates start at a base rate of 15%. Performance tiers then kick in: LV1 pays 40%, LV2 pays 50%, and LV3 pays up to 60%. KuCoin evaluates tier eligibility on a rolling basis and settles commissions daily (T+1) to the affiliate’s KuCoin master account. The minimum payout threshold is not publicly disclosed. Cookie duration is also undisclosed, which is a gap in KuCoin’s public program documentation.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Up to 60% of trading fees – among the highest stated ceilings in crypto affiliate programs
- Daily T+1 settlement is faster than most exchanges that pay monthly
- Recurring model: commissions continue as long as referred users remain active traders
- Sub-affiliate mechanics available for community builders looking to grow a network
- Direct program – no network account or third-party fees between you and the commission
- Open to creators, marketers, crypto sites, and institutions – not just established publishers
Cons:
- Cookie duration and minimum payout threshold are both undisclosed
- Starting rate of 15% is low – reaching the top 60% tier takes meaningful referral volume
- Program is restricted in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Turkey, and other regulated markets
- Commissions are tied to user trading activity – bear markets can slash earnings significantly
- Brand-keyword PPC ads, self-referral, impersonation, and traffic hijacking are all prohibited and can trigger clawbacks
How to Join
Apply at kucoin.com/affiliate. KuCoin requires KYC (advanced identity verification) before approval – no anonymous applications. You need a crypto-relevant audience: the program targets YouTube creators, community managers, crypto blogs and media sites, and social accounts with 5,000+ followers or groups with 500+ members.
Applications are reviewed manually, so approval is not instant. Once accepted, you receive a unique referral link and access to the affiliate dashboard with referral tracking and daily commission reporting. Since the program is direct, there is no separate network registration needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies to join the KuCoin affiliate program?
KuCoin accepts crypto content creators, YouTube vloggers, community leaders, crypto news and tool sites, marketers, and organizations. The program expects social accounts to have at least 5,000 followers or communities of 500+ members. KYC verification is required from all applicants.
How much commission can I earn as a KuCoin affiliate?
New affiliates start at 15% of trading fees from referred users. Performance thresholds unlock LV1 at 40%, LV2 at 50%, and LV3 at 60%. Tier eligibility is evaluated on a rolling basis, so consistently strong referral months can move you up through the levels.
How and when does KuCoin pay affiliate commissions?
Commissions settle daily on a T+1 basis and are credited to the affiliate’s KuCoin master account. This is faster than most crypto exchanges that pay monthly. KuCoin does not publicly disclose a minimum payout threshold, so it is worth confirming directly when you apply.
What countries are restricted from the KuCoin affiliate program?
KuCoin restricts residents of Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Turkey, and other regions where its exchange is not available due to regulatory requirements. If a significant portion of your audience is in these markets, your conversion rate will be lower than expected. Review the full geo-restrictions in the official affiliate terms before applying.
Does KuCoin publish its affiliate cookie duration?
No – KuCoin does not publicly disclose its cookie window. For a recurring trading-fee program, cookie duration mainly affects how the initial sign-up is attributed. Once a user registers and starts trading, your commission continues regardless of the cookie, since it is based on their ongoing activity.
What promotional methods are banned in the KuCoin affiliate program?
KuCoin prohibits bidding on its brand keywords in search ads, impersonating KuCoin accounts or staff, hijacking its official traffic sources, self-referral, abnormal account registrations, and trading manipulation or arbitrage. Breaking these rules can result in commission clawbacks and account termination.
