How to Handle Links in Emails from Crypto Marketplaces: Stay Safe, Stay Smart

Stay Safe, Stay Smart

In the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency, phishing scams and security threats are everywhere — especially through emails that look legitimate. Even if you have an account with a well-known crypto marketplace, you should treat every email link with extreme caution.

Here’s the golden rule:
If you receive an email with a link, do not click it — even if it looks like it’s from a platform you trust.

Here’s why, and what you should do instead:

1. Understand the Risk

Crypto marketplaces like Coinbase, Binance, OKX, and others are often imitated by scammers. They create fake emails that look almost identical to official communications, tricking users into clicking malicious links that steal login credentials, private keys, or other sensitive information.

2. Never Click Links Directly

No matter how convincing an email looks — even if it has your name, account number, or transaction details — never click the link inside the message. Scammers are getting better every day at forging real-looking emails.

3. Go to the Source Yourself

If you think an email might be legitimate:

Open a new browser window (don’t use the link).
Type the exchange’s official URL manually (like www.coinbase.com or www.binance.com).
Log in directly to your account from there.
Check your notifications or account status once you’re securely logged in. If there’s really something you need to know or do, it will be visible there.

4. Watch for Red Flags

Some warning signs that an email might be fake include:

A sense of urgency (“Act Now!” or “Your account will be locked!”)
Typos or grammatical errors
Slightly misspelled sender addresses (e.g., “support@co1nbase.com” instead of “support@coinbase.com“)
Requests for personal information like your password, recovery phrase, or private keys (a legitimate company will never ask for these).

5. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Even if you accidentally click a bad link, having strong 2FA (such as using Google Authenticator or a hardware security key) adds an important extra layer of protection to your account.

Bottom line:
When dealing with links in emails from a crypto marketplace, the answer is simple: NEVER click. Always navigate manually to your account.

It only takes a few extra seconds to protect your crypto assets — and your peace of mind.