User Onboarding Guide

Overview

Coinchange Vaults offer institutional-grade, actively managed DeFi / CeFi strategies. Some vaults require user verification before access due to regulatory requirements and the professional nature of these strategies.

Note for Platform Partners: This guide is designed for your end users. You can customize and white-label this content for your platform.

How to Get Started

What You'll Need

Wallet Requirements:

Compatible Web3 wallet (MetaMask, WalletConnect, Coinbase Wallet, etc.)
Wallet funded with the assets you want to deposit
Enough ETH for gas fees

Personal Information (for verified vaults):

Government-issued ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID)
Proof of address
Source of funds information

Institutional Access Vaults

Who can use these? Qualified institutions and accredited investors

What's available:

Multi-strategy portfolios
Professional active management
Custom strategy execution
Dedicated support and reporting

Requirements:

Full KYC/AML/CFT screening
Accredited investor verification (where applicable)
Legal agreements execution
Entity verification (for institutions)
Multi-signature wallet whitelisting
Minimum deposit: Typically 5,000 USD equivalent

Onboarding Steps

First Step: Check Your Eligibility

Before you begin, confirm you meet these requirements:

Geographic Requirements

You are not a resident of a restricted jurisdiction
You can provide valid identification documents
Your wallet address is not flagged by sanctions screening

Financial Requirements

You can meet the minimum deposit for your chosen vault
You understand the risks of DeFi investments

Technical Requirements

You have a compatible Web3 wallet
You can sign transactions and messages
You understand basic wallet operations

Restricted Jurisdictions

Access may be restricted in the following jurisdictions:

United States (some vaults only)
North Korea
Iran
Syria
Cuba
Crimea region
Other OFAC-sanctioned territories

Note: This list may change based on regulatory requirements. Check with your platform for current restrictions.

Second Step: Verify Your Identity

For Verified and Institutional Vaults

Complete the KYC/KYB AML process through Coinchange platform or through onboarding information sharing agreement:

Individual Users

Required documents:

Government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, or national ID card)
Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, or government letter dated within the last three months)
Selfie holding your ID (liveness check)

Information needed:

Full legal name
Date of birth
Residential address
Nationality
Source of funds
Occupation

Processing time: One to three business days

Institutional Users

Required documents:

Certificate of incorporation or formation
Articles of association or bylaws
Register of directors and shareholders
Proof of business address
IDs for all beneficial owners (holding more than twenty-five percent)
Board resolution authorizing vault participation

Information needed:

Legal entity name and registration number
Business address and jurisdiction
Ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs)
Nature of business
Source of funds
Expected transaction volumes

Processing time: One to two weeks

Privacy and Security

Your personal information is:

Stored securely with enterprise-grade security
Shared only as required by law or regulation
Never sold or shared with third parties for marketing
Handled in compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy laws

Third Step: Review and Accept Terms

For All Vault Types

Before accessing any vault, you must review and accept:

Universal Terms

Platform Terms of Service
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Risk Disclosures

Vault-Specific Terms

Vault Terms and Conditions
Fee Schedule
Strategy Description
Performance Fee Agreement

Key Points to Understand

Risk Disclosures:

DeFi investments carry significant risk
You may lose all deposited funds
Past performance does not guarantee future results
Vault strategies may use leverage
Smart contract risks exist despite audits

Fee Structure:

Management fees
Performance fees
Gas fees (paid separately by you)
Withdrawal fees (if any)

Withdrawal Terms:

Notice periods (typically one to five business days)
Minimum withdrawal amounts
Withdrawal frequency limits

Acceptance Process

To accept terms:

Read all documents carefully
Check the boxes confirming you've read and understood
Sign electronically using your wallet
Save copies for your records

Fourth Step: Whitelist Your Wallet

For Verified and Institutional Vaults

After identity verification approval, you must whitelist the wallet address you'll use for deposits and withdrawals.

Adding a Wallet Address

Through your platform interface:

Navigate to your account settings
Select "Whitelist Wallet" or "Add Wallet Address"
Enter your wallet address (e.g., 0x1234...5678)
Confirm the address is correct
Sign a verification message with your wallet
Wait for approval (typically one business day)

Important Wallet Requirements:

Must be a wallet you control (not an exchange address)
Cannot be a smart contract wallet (for most vaults)
Must match the verification you provided
Should use a secure wallet (hardware wallet recommended for large deposits)

Multi-Signature Wallets (Institutional Only):

All signers must complete individual KYC
Provide wallet configuration details
Specify signing threshold
Demonstrate control by signing verification message

Changing Whitelisted Wallets:

Submit request through your platform
Provide reason for change
Complete additional verification
Wait for approval (one to three business days)
Old wallet access remains until new wallet approved

Security Best Practices:

Use a hardware wallet for large amounts
Never share your private keys
Verify all addresses before signing
Enable two-factor authentication on your account
Keep your wallet software updated

Fifth Step: Make Your First Deposit

Testing Recommended

For your first deposit, we recommend:

Start with a small test amount
Wait for confirmation and check your balance
Verify you can track your position
Understand the withdrawal process
Then deposit your full intended amount

Deposit Process

Connect Your Wallet
- Visit your platform's vault page
- Click "Connect Wallet"
- Approve the connection in your wallet
- Verify you're on the correct network
Select Your Vault
- Browse available vaults
- Review strategy details
- Check current APY and fees
- Ensure you meet minimum deposit
Choose Deposit Amount
- Select asset to deposit
- Enter amount
- Review expected shares
- Check slippage tolerance (typically one percent)
Approve Token (if depositing ERC20)
- Click "Approve"
- Confirm transaction in wallet
- Wait for confirmation (one to two minutes)
Complete Deposit
- Click "Deposit"
- Review transaction details
- Confirm in your wallet
- Wait for confirmation (one to five minutes)
Verify Success
- Check your vault share balance
- Save transaction hash for records
- Note any share lock period

Important Notes:

Share Lock Period: After deposit, your shares may be locked for one to three days. You can view them but cannot transfer or withdraw during this time. This protects against MEV attacks.
Slippage: The amount of shares you receive may vary slightly from the estimate due to price changes. Set appropriate slippage tolerance.
Gas Fees: You pay separate gas fees for approval and deposit transactions. Keep enough ETH in your wallet.

Transaction Failed?

Common issues:

Insufficient gas fees
Slippage tolerance too low
Wallet not whitelisted yet
Deposit amount below minimum
Asset not approved for vault

See the troubleshooting section or contact support.

After You're Onboarded

Managing Your Position

Viewing Your Balance

Through your platform:

View current share balance
See position value in USD
Check performance and returns
View historical deposits
Track accrued rewards

Understanding Shares

When you deposit:

You receive vault shares receipt token (ERC20 tokens)
Receipt token value changes based on vault performance
One share does not equal one dollar (check share price)
Your shares represent proportional ownership
Shares may be locked after deposit (one to three days)

Monitoring Performance

Track your vault:

Current APY (updated regularly)
Your personal returns
Vault TVL (Total Value Locked)
Share price over time
Recent strategy updates

Withdrawing Funds

Withdrawal Process

Depending on the vault, you may use:

Option A: Delayed Withdrawal (Most Common)

Click "Request Withdrawal"
Enter amount of shares to withdraw
Choose asset to receive
Review expected amount
Confirm transaction
Wait for processing (one to five business days)
Funds automatically sent to your wallet

Option B: Instant Withdrawal (If Available)

Click "Withdraw"
Enter amount to withdraw
Review fees and slippage
Confirm transaction
Receive funds immediately

Important Withdrawal Information:

Processing Time: Most vaults use delayed withdrawals (t+one to t+five)
Lock Periods: Some vaults have lock periods (e.g., thirty days minimum)
Minimums: Minimum withdrawal amounts may apply
Fees: Withdrawal fees may apply (check vault terms)
Share Locks: You cannot withdraw if shares are locked after a recent deposit

Partial Withdrawals

You can withdraw part of your position:

Calculate shares to withdraw
Keep enough for minimum balance (if required)
Consider gas costs for small withdrawals
Remaining position continues earning rewards

Getting Support

Need Help?

Contact our platform's support team:

In-app chat support
Email support
Help center documentation
Community forums

Common Questions

"When can I withdraw?"

Check your vault's withdrawal terms
Look for share unlock time
Review any lock-up periods
See withdrawal processing times

"Why are my shares locked?"

Shares lock for one to three days after deposits
This prevents MEV attacks
You can view balance but not transfer
Wait for unlock time shown in your account

"How is my reward calculated?"

Rewards accrue automatically
Reflected in share price increases
Compounded continuously
Check vault APY for current rate

"What are the fees?"

Management fee (one to two percent annually)
Performance fee (ten to twenty percent of profits)
Withdrawal fees (if any)
Gas fees (you pay separately)

"Is my investment safe?"

Smart contracts are audited
Strategies are actively managed
Risk controls are in place
However, DeFi carries inherent risks
Never invest more than you can afford to lose

Compliance and Regulations

Know Your Customer (KYC)

Why is KYC required?

For verified and institutional vaults:

Regulatory compliance (AML/KYB CFT requirements)
Fraud prevention
Sanctions screening
Investor protection

What happens to my data?

Your information is:

Encrypted and stored securely
Used only for verification and compliance
Shared with regulators if required by law
Retained per legal requirements
Deleted upon request (where legally permitted)

Data Retention

Personal data is retained:

During active account: For ongoing compliance
After account closure: Five to seven years (regulatory requirement)
Upon request deletion: Processed per GDPR/CCPA (where applicable)

Anti-Money Laundering (AML)

Source of Funds Declaration

You may need to provide:

Origin of funds being deposited
Documentation supporting your declaration
Explanation of your financial situation
Purpose of using the vault

Transaction Monitoring

For compliance:

Large transactions may be reviewed
Unusual patterns may trigger alerts
Additional information may be requested
This protects both you and the platform

Tax Implications

Important Tax Notice

Using DeFi vaults may have tax implications:

Deposits may be taxable events
Rewards may be taxable income
Withdrawals may trigger capital gains
Requirements vary by jurisdiction

Your Responsibilities

You are responsible for:

Understanding your local tax laws
Reporting crypto transactions
Paying applicable taxes
Keeping records for tax purposes

Tax Reporting

Your platform may provide:

Transaction history export
Annual tax summaries (where required)
CSV downloads for tax software
Integration with tax reporting tools

Seek Professional Advice

We strongly recommend:

Consult a qualified tax professional
Understand your specific tax obligations
Keep detailed records
Report all transactions as required

Restricted Jurisdictions

Access to Vaults may be restricted in certain jurisdictions due to regulatory requirements.

Currently Restricted:

United States (some vaults available, others restricted)
North Korea
Iran
Syria
Cuba
Crimea region
Donetsk and Luhansk regions
Other OFAC-sanctioned territories

Restricted Activities:

VPN use to circumvent restrictions is prohibited
Providing false information about residency
Accessing vaults from restricted locations
Using third parties to access on your behalf

Consequences of Violation:

Immediate account suspension
Funds may be frozen
Reporting to authorities may be required
Legal action may be taken

Geographic Verification

We verify your location through:

IP address monitoring
KYC documentation
Periodic re-verification
Transaction pattern analysis

Moving Jurisdictions

If you relocate:

Update your information immediately
Provide new proof of address
May need to withdraw if moving to restricted jurisdiction
Grace period typically provided (thirty to sixty days)

Security Best Practices

Protecting Your Account

Wallet Security:

Use hardware wallets for large amounts
Never share private keys or seed phrases
Verify all transaction details before signing
Keep wallet software updated
Use strong, unique passwords

Account Security:

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Use strong, unique password for your account
Don't share login credentials
Log out when finished
Monitor account for suspicious activity

Phishing Prevention:

Bookmark the official website
Verify URLs before entering information
Never click suspicious links
Official support never asks for private keys
Be wary of impersonators on social media

Transaction Security:

Always verify recipient addresses
Double-check transaction amounts
Review gas fees for reasonableness
Never rush through signing
Save transaction hashes for records

Recognizing Scams

Red Flags:

Unsolicited messages offering "help"
Requests for private keys or seed phrases
Too-good-to-be-true APY promises
Urgency or pressure to act quickly
Unofficial support channels

Common Scams:

Fake support impersonators
Phishing websites (wrong URLs)
Discord/Telegram scammers
"Double your crypto" schemes
Fake vault clones

If You Suspect a Scam:

Do not interact or send funds
Report to official platform support
Verify through official channels only
Warn community members
Check official announcements

Frequently Asked Questions

Account and Onboarding

Q: How long does onboarding take?

A: Depends on vault type:

Verified vaults: One week
Institutional vaults: One to two weeks

Q: What if my KYC is rejected?

A: You'll receive an email explaining the reason. Common issues:

Document quality (too blurry, cut off)
Expired documents
Name mismatch
Address not recent enough

You can resubmit with corrected documents.

Q: Can I use multiple wallets?

A: Yes, but:

Each wallet must be whitelisted separately
Each requires verification
Process takes one business day per wallet

Q: Do I need to complete KYC again if I've done it before?

A: Depends:

If on same platform: Usually no
If different platform: Yes
If documents expired: Yes
If information changed: Yes

Deposits and Withdrawals

Q: What's the minimum deposit?

A: Varies by vault:

Public: Often as low as zero point one ETH equivalent
Verified: Typically one ETH equivalent
Institutional: Typically one hundred thousand USD equivalent

Q: How long until I can withdraw after depositing?

A: Shares lock for one to three days after deposit. After unlock, withdrawal processing is:

Delayed withdrawal: One to five business days
Instant withdrawal: Immediate (if available, may have higher fees)

Q: Can I withdraw anytime?

A: Depends on vault:

Most vaults: Yes, after share lock expires
Some vaults: May have lock-up periods (e.g., thirty, sixty, or ninety days)
Check specific vault terms

Q: What assets can I deposit?

A: Varies by vault. Common options:

ETH, WETH
USDC, USDT, DAI
Liquid staking tokens (stETH, rETH, etc.)
WBTC

Check your specific vault's supported assets.

Fees and Returns

Q: What fees do I pay?

A: Typical fee structure:

Management fee: One to two percent annually (charged continuously)
Performance fee: Ten to twenty to thirty percent of profits minus expenses (charged on gains)
Gas fees: You pay these separately for each transaction

Q: How is the reward calculated?

A: Rewards accrues in two ways:

Share price increases (automatic compounding)
Additional shares (if vault uses that model)

Your total value = shares times current share price

Q: Are returns guaranteed?

A: No guarantee including the potential of principal loss.. Investments carry risk:

Vault may lose value
APY is historical and changes
Past performance doesn't guarantee future results
You may lose your entire investment

Security and Safety

Q: Are the vaults safe?

A: Multiple security measures:

Smart contracts audited by leading firms
Strategies actively managed and monitored
Risk controls and limits in place
Emergency pause mechanisms

However, DeFi always carries risks. Never invest more than you can afford to lose.

Q: What if the smart contract is hacked?

A: While contracts are audited:

Bugs may still exist
There is no FDIC-like insurance
You may lose deposited funds
Check if vault has insurance coverage

Review the risk disclosures before investing.

Q: How do I know this is legitimate?

A: Verify through:

Official website and social media
Published audit reports
On-chain contract verification
Track record and reputation
Active community and support

Technical Issues

Q: Transaction failed - what do I do?

A: Common solutions:

Increase gas price and retry
Check wallet has enough ETH for gas
Verify you're on correct network
Increase slippage tolerance
Contact support if issue persists

Q: I don't see my deposit - where is it?

A: Check:

Transaction confirmed on blockchain (use block explorer)
You're viewing correct vault
You're on correct network
Refresh your browser/app
Wait a few minutes and check again

If still missing after ten minutes, contact support with your transaction hash.

Q: Why can't I transfer my shares?

A: Likely reasons:

Shares are still locked (check unlock time)
Vault doesn't allow transfers
Technical issue with wallet

Check your account for share unlock time.

Contact and Support

Getting Help

Platform Support:

Visit your platform's help center
Use in-app chat support
Email support team
Check FAQ and documentation

Response Times:

Critical issues: Within one hour
General support: Within twenty-four hours
Account questions: Within two business days

Before Contacting Support:

Have ready:

Your account email
Wallet address
Transaction hashes (if applicable)
Screenshots of any errors
Description of the issue

What Support Can Help With:

Account issues
Verification problems
Technical difficulties
Understanding vault features
Troubleshooting transactions

What Support Cannot Help With:

Investment advice
Tax guidance
Recovering private keys
Reversing confirmed transactions
Bypassing KYC requirements

Glossary

APY (Annual Percentage Yield): The rate of return on your investment over one year, including compounding.

DeFi (Decentralized Finance): Financial services and applications built on blockchain technology.

ERC20: A standard for tokens on the Ethereum blockchain. Vault shares are ERC20 tokens.

Gas Fees: Transaction fees paid to blockchain validators. Paid in ETH on Ethereum.

KYC (Know Your Customer): Identity verification process required by regulations.

KYB (Know Your Business): Identity verification process required by regulations.

Liquidity: How easily you can convert your shares back to cash or other assets.

MEV (Maximal Extractable Value): Profit validators can make by reordering transactions. Share locks protect against MEV attacks.

Share Lock Period: Time after deposit when shares cannot be transferred or withdrawn.

Slippage: Difference between expected and actual price due to market movement.

Smart Contract: Self-executing code on the blockchain that controls the vault.

TVL (Total Value Locked): Total amount of assets deposited in a vault.

Wallet: Software that stores your private keys and allows you to interact with blockchain.

Whitelist: List of approved wallet addresses that can access a vault.

Last Updated: September 2025

For Platform Partners: You can customize this guide for your users. Contact your Coinchange partnership manager for white-label versions.

For End Users: This guide provides general information. Always refer to your specific platform's terms, your vault's documentation, and consult professionals for legal, tax, or investment advice.