Opening a Binance account before your first bStocks buy: sign-up, 2FA and KYC
Buying Tesla or Nvidia stock tokens starts with a verified Binance account. Registration can involve a code landing in spam, glare in a KYC photo or an unsaved 2FA backup. Each issue is covered at the step where it can occur.
Issues to handle before your first bStocks buy
During account opening, a registration code may not arrive, KYC may be returned or a 2FA backup may be incomplete. The sections below cover each step and its corresponding fix in order.
Get past it, and funding, buying bStocks and withdrawing to a Web3 wallet all become possible.
What you need before signing up
Having these on hand means you won't have to stop halfway through:
- An email you use regularly (one that receives mail normally, since you will get verification codes later).
- A phone (for installing the 2FA app, or receiving SMS verification codes).
- A valid ID (passport or ID card, needed for identity verification, make sure it is not expired and the photo is clear).
- A well-lit environment (the face check and ID photos both need it, do not do it in a dim spot).
Before registering, it is best to confirm whether your region supports the feature you want to use (bStocks especially). The rules keep changing, so go by the current Binance page. For the geographic logic, see why some regions cannot buy.
Step one: email registration + set a password
Enter the Binance official site from this site's registration entry, choose to register by email, and fill in the email you use regularly. One small detail here: entering from this site's link automatically carries the referral code BNB698; eligible accounts can get up to 20% off spot trading fees, and the conditions are in the note below. If the page has a spot to enter the referral code by hand, confirm that field is BNB698.
*This affiliate link is provided by an independent promoter. Accounts that can join Binance’s referral programme may receive up to 20% off spot trading fees (accounts registered in the European Economic Area and residents of Hong Kong, Singapore or Japan, among others, are not eligible); actual benefits follow Binance’s current terms.
Once the email is entered, the system first sends a verification code to your inbox; enter it to complete verification. If it does not arrive for a while, first check your spam folder, then tap 'resend'.
After the email is verified, set a login password. Do not cut corners on this step:
- Use a password that is long enough and mixes upper and lower case, numbers and symbols, and do not reuse an old password you have used elsewhere.
- It is best to generate and store it with a password manager, rather than relying on your memory for a weak password.
Step two: bind two-factor authentication (2FA)
Once the account is built, do this right away, do not put it off. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is your account's second lock: even if someone gets your password, they cannot log in without this second key. For an account that holds money, this step is not optional.
Binance usually supports several 2FA methods, the common ones being an authenticator app (a phone app that generates rotating codes) and SMS verification. Of the two, an authenticator app is generally more secure (SMS can be hijacked). When binding, there is one action you absolutely must not skip:
When binding an authenticator app, the system gives you a backup key / recovery code. Write it on paper and store it offline. If your phone is lost or the app is deleted, this code lets you restore 2FA on a new phone yourself. Without it, the only route is the 'Security verification unavailable' reset request at login, which means submitting details and waiting for Binance to review them; it takes time and is not guaranteed to succeed.
Step three: identity verification (KYC)
At this step, your account can already log in, but to fund, trade, withdraw and use bStocks normally, you basically have to complete identity verification (KYC) first. It is a compliance requirement, the same at all mainstream exchanges, not the platform being difficult. On why exchanges must do KYC, see Investopedia's explanation of KYC.
KYC is roughly these few actions:
- Fill in personal info: name, date of birth, address, etc. The key is for it to be completely consistent with the info on your ID, not a single character wrong.
- Upload the ID: photograph your passport or ID card as prompted. Plenty of light, all four corners in, clear text, no glare.
- Face check: complete the liveness check facing the camera as prompted (you may need to blink or turn your head). Take off hats and glasses, keep the background clean, even lighting.
After submitting, it goes into review. In the meantime you can get familiar with the platform interface, or read the full flow of how to buy bStocks, and once it passes you can dive right in.
KYC rejected? Common reasons and fixes
A rejected identity check is frustrating, but the fix depends on the reason shown, so start from that:
| Common reason for rejection | Fix |
|---|---|
| ID photo blurry / glared / corner cut off | Re-shoot in a bright spot, ID lying flat, all four corners in frame, avoid glare |
| Filled-in info inconsistent with the ID | Check name, birthday and ID number character by character, change it to exactly match the ID |
| Face check failed | Take off hat and glasses, find even light, do the prompted actions a bit slower |
| ID already expired | Use a different ID that is within its validity |
A rejection is not the end of the road: fix what the notice points to and resubmit. Be patient, and do not give up over this step, you have already reached the last hurdle.
After registering, what to do next
With the account open and verification passed, the order from here is:
- Fund: convert your money into assets usable for buying, like USDT; for the methods, see how to fund a Binance account.
- Buy bStocks: buy a small amount of the stock token you want on the spot market; for the full flow, see step by step: buy bStocks.
- (Optional) withdraw to your own wallet: if you want self-custody, withdraw to a Binance Web3 wallet, taking care to pick BNB Chain as the network.
On your first buy, remember to run the whole thing through with a small amount, do not go in heavy right away, this one and other beginner traps we cover in full in 7 traps when buying bStocks for the first time.
For Binance's own description of the product, see the current pages on the Binance website. The interface and rules change, so rely on what Binance shows when you register.
FAQ
Do I have to complete KYC to register on Binance?
No. You can open an account with just an email or phone number, but a new account can't deposit or trade until identity verification is done, so you'll need it before buying bStocks.
How long does identity verification usually take to pass?
Review time varies from case to case: once you've sent the ID and finished the face check, go by the status shown in your Binance account. If the materials are blurry or the info is inconsistent it may be sent back for resubmission, so a clear ID photo and consistent info save a lot of back-and-forth.
Does registering via a referral code cost more?
No. Registering via a referral code does not charge you any extra fee; eligible accounts can get up to 20% off spot trading fees, and the exact terms are whatever the Binance page shows.