Sources used by CoinTrustRadar.com
- Legal texts: MiCA, the Transfer of Funds Regulation and DAC8, read on EUR-Lex.
- Regulators: ESMA's interim MiCA register and national regulators' publications.
- Providers' own documents: fee schedules, terms of use, help centres and proof of reserves pages.
Review sites and social media are never used as sources of facts.
Fact-checking and updates
- Primary source first: every fact is checked against its original source.
- Unverified means unpublished: a fact that cannot be verified is left out, shown as a dash, or marked "not confirmed".
- Register data from ESMA: authorisation, regulator and passport facts are read from the register file and dated.
- Regular rechecks: when providers change terms or fees, and at least every six months.
- Corrections: made as soon as an error is confirmed.
When a website blocks checking
Some providers' websites cannot be read by automated tools, and we do not try to get around such blocks.
In those cases, facts are checked by hand before publication, and until then the relevant fields stay empty.
How AI tools are used
CoinTrustRadar.com uses AI tools, including Claude by Anthropic, to help draft text, build calculators and organise research.
AI output is never treated as a source of facts: every figure is checked against the primary source listed on the page, and the editorial team is responsible for everything published.
AI is not used to invent experiences, tests, reviews or people.
Examples and calculations
- Worked examples are labelled as examples and never presented as a provider's current price unless a source is given.
- Calculators use standard formulas, printed on each tool page.
- Scenarios are labelled as scenarios, not forecasts.
Language and tone
Pages use plain English, one idea per sentence and short paragraphs.
The site avoids pressure language, does not promise returns, and always shows risk next to opportunity.
Corrections
Readers can report an error through the contact page; including the page address and a source speeds up the check.
The editorial principles
| Principle | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Primary sources | Facts come from legal texts, regulators and providers' own documents |
| Verifiable claims only | A fact that cannot be confirmed is left out or marked as not confirmed |
| No invented experience | No made-up tests, people, user ratings or complaint counts |
| Labelled examples | Worked examples and fictional cases are always marked |
| Risk first | Costs and risks are shown alongside every opportunity |
| Commercial independence | Affiliate agreements never change scores or facts |
How a page is researched and written
- Plan: decide what a reader needs to know on the topic.
- Research: read the relevant legal text, register data and provider documents, noting the source and date of each fact.
- Draft: write the page in plain English, with calculations checked by hand.
- Fact-check: compare every figure with its source again; remove or mark anything unconfirmed.
- Publish: with sources listed at the end of the page.
- Review: recheck when rules, fees or terms change.
How register data is handled
Authorisation facts, such as the legal entity, regulator, authorisation date, services and passport countries, are read from ESMA's interim register file at build time.
The download date is shown wherever these facts appear, so readers know how current they are.
Because the register is compiled from national regulators' information, formats vary, and the site normalises them carefully, for example treating the register's code EL as Greece.
Words and products the site avoids
Pages avoid pressure language such as "act now" or "guaranteed", do not present crypto as a way to get rich, and do not glamorise trading.
Leveraged products are not compared, for the reasons explained in the guide to crypto leverage.
Frequently asked questions
Does CoinTrustRadar.com use AI?
Yes, as a writing and development aid. Every fact is checked against a primary source, and AI is never used to invent experiences or reviews.
Where do exchange facts come from?
From ESMA's register and from each provider's own website, with sources listed in every review.
Why are some facts shown as a dash?
Because they have not yet been verified from a primary source.
How often is the site updated?
Provider facts are rechecked when terms change and at least every six months; regulatory pages when rules change.
How do I report an error?
Through the contact page, with the page address and a source if possible.