Key Takeaways
CoinEx announced an orderly wind-down on September 15, 2026. Services close in stages, and the final withdrawal deadline is December 22, 2026 (UTC+8).
Non-USDT assets left on the platform after September 29 may be sold into USDT or delisted, and leftover CET will be repurchased at 0.005 USDT per token.
USDT not withdrawn by December 22 moves into independent custody with a monthly fee of 5% of the original balance, so withdrawing early is the simplest way to avoid losses.
What Happened to CoinEx?
CoinEx, a centralized crypto exchange that launched in December 2017, announced on September 15, 2026 that it will cease operations and enter an orderly wind-down. The exchange is associated with founder Haipo Yang, who also founded the ViaBTC mining pool.
In its official notice, CoinEx gave four main reasons for closing:
A prolonged downturn in the crypto market
A significant drop in industry trading volume and liquidity
Rising regulatory requirements across major jurisdictions
Compliance costs and operational uncertainty that it said had passed reasonable limits
CoinEx states that it maintains an asset reserve ratio of over 100%, meaning it says every user asset is fully backed and available for withdrawal. It points users to its public proof of reserves page as evidence. A reserve ratio is a claim made by the company, so users should treat it as reassuring but still act quickly.
The exchange also said this is its final official announcement. Any later "new announcement," "supplementary rule," or "policy change" issued in CoinEx's name should be treated as fraudulent.
The Full CoinEx Wind-Down Timeline
The shutdown happens in phases. All dates below are in UTC+8 unless noted.
Date | What Changes |
|---|---|
September 15, 2026 | New registrations stop. Referral commissions and rewards end. Futures move to reduce-only mode. No new orders or subscriptions for fiat, margin, loans, Earn, staking, or strategy trading. |
September 22, 2026 | All non-spot services end. On-chain deposits stop, except CET deposits (open until September 29). |
September 29, 2026 | Spot trading ends. Non-USDT assets are processed. Remaining CET is repurchased at 0.005 USDT. CoinEx Smart Chain (CSC) and OneSwap shut down. |
December 22, 2026 | Withdrawal period ends and the platform ceases operations. |
August 22, 2028 | Last day to submit custody claims for unwithdrawn USDT, according to published terms. |
Withdrawals are open throughout this period and are not affected by the closure of other services.
Key Terms Explained
Several terms in the announcement may be new to beginners.
Term | Simple Meaning |
|---|---|
Wind-down | A planned, step-by-step closure of a business instead of a sudden shutdown. |
Reduce-only mode | You can close or shrink an existing futures position, but you cannot open a new one or increase it. |
Reserve ratio | Assets held by the exchange compared with what it owes users. Over 100% means it claims to hold more than it owes. |
Proof of reserves | A public report an exchange uses to show it holds user funds. Methods and audit quality vary between platforms. |
Repurchase (buyback) | The platform buys a token back from holders at a fixed price. |
Independent custody | A third party holds unclaimed funds after the platform closes. |
What Happens to Each Type of Asset
Futures, Margin, Earn, and Staking
According to reporting on the full announcement, open futures positions remaining on September 22 are to be forcibly settled using the index price. Earn and staking products are to be redeemed, and unpaid loans are to be handled under existing liquidation rules. Users who want to control how and when positions close should act before that date.
Non-USDT Tokens
From September 29, non-USDT assets that have not been withdrawn are scheduled for processing. As widely reported, tokens with external liquidity may be sold and converted into USDT. Tokens with no external market may be delisted, and CoinEx has said it will then no longer take custody or redemption responsibility for them.
This is one of the most important details for users holding smaller or less liquid tokens. If you want to keep a specific token, you need to withdraw it in its original form before September 29.
CET, the CoinEx Token
CET is CoinEx's native exchange token. The repurchase terms are:
From September 15 to September 29, CoinEx places buy orders on the CET/USDT pair at 0.005 USDT per CET, with no quantity limit, according to reports.
Trading fees on the CET/USDT pair are reported to be waived during this window.
Any CET still in user accounts on September 29 will be bought automatically at the same price.
No further repurchase or redemption is offered after that date.
Haipo Yang described 0.005 USDT as CET's initial listing price. CET deposits remain open until September 29, which gives holders using external wallets time to move tokens back if they wish to take part.
USDT
USDT can be withdrawn until December 22, 2026. After that, any remaining USDT is transferred to independent custody. A monthly custody fee equal to 5% of the original balance recorded at the end of the withdrawal period applies. Claims can be submitted to support@coinex.com until August 22, 2028. Reports note that identity re-verification may be required.
Why the 5% Custody Fee Matters
The fee is calculated on the original balance, not the shrinking remainder. Based on the published terms, the simple arithmetic looks like this:
Months After Dec 22, 2026 | Fee Charged (on 1,000 USDT) | Estimated Remaining Balance |
|---|---|---|
1 | 50 USDT | 950 USDT |
6 | 300 USDT | 700 USDT |
12 | 600 USDT | 400 USDT |
20 | 1,000 USDT | 0 USDT |
This is an illustration only. The exact mechanics are set by CoinEx and its custodian. Still, the numbers show that waiting has a real cost. Twenty months of fees would equal the full original balance, and that is roughly the length of the claim period.
Step-by-Step: How to Withdraw Safely from CoinEx
Log in only through the official website or app. Type the address manually. Do not click links from messages or social media replies.
Review every account type. Check spot, futures, margin, Earn, staking, and any strategy accounts.
Close or settle positions before September 22 if you want to control the outcome yourself.
Decide on CET before September 29. You can sell at the repurchase price, withdraw it, or let the automatic buyback run.
Prepare a destination. This could be a self-custody wallet you control or an account at another exchange.
Check the network. Make sure the withdrawal network matches the receiving address. Sending on the wrong network can mean permanent loss.
Send a small test withdrawal first, then withdraw the rest once it arrives.
Save records. Download transaction history and keep screenshots for tax and dispute purposes.
Withdraw early. CoinEx itself warns about network congestion, fee changes, and slower confirmations near deadlines.
Warning: Expect Scams During the Shutdown
Exchange closures attract fraud. Common patterns include fake "extension" notices, fake support agents offering help with withdrawals, and phishing pages asking for login details or seed phrases.
Remember these points:
CoinEx says the September 15 notice is its last official announcement.
Official reminders are reported to come only through email, in-platform messages, and verified social accounts.
Genuine support will never ask for your password, two-factor codes, or wallet seed phrase.
Tickets should go through the official support site listed in the announcement.
What Is Not Affected
CoinEx says CoinEx Wallet and CoinEx Vault operate independently from the exchange and remain fully operational. Separately, ViaBTC stated it is a distinct legal entity and that mining services are not affected. ViaBTC said its "Auto Withdrawal to CoinEx" feature stops on September 22, 2026, so miners using it should update their payout addresses.
A quick overview of deeper detail on Crypto University Cash Out Crypto Guide.
Lessons for Every Crypto User
The CoinEx closure is part of a wider pattern in 2026. Media reports have grouped it with other mid-sized venues, including BitMart, BitMEX, and AscendEX, that have also stopped operating under similar volume and compliance pressure.
Unlike some earlier exchange failures, where users faced sudden frozen withdrawals, this closure includes a defined withdrawal window. That is a better outcome, but it still carries lessons:
Lesson | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
Exchanges are service providers, not vaults | A platform can close for business reasons even when funds are safe. |
Self-custody reduces dependency | Assets in your own wallet are not tied to an exchange's schedule. |
Illiquid tokens carry extra risk | They may be delisted with no conversion path during a closure. |
Deadlines are firm | Missing a date can trigger forced sales or ongoing fees. |
Official channels matter | Shutdowns are prime time for phishing and impersonation. |
FAQ
Is my money safe on CoinEx?
CoinEx says its reserve ratio is above 100% and all user assets are fully backed and withdrawable. This is the company's own statement, supported by its proof of reserves page. The safest step is still to withdraw your assets as early as possible.
What is the last day to withdraw from CoinEx?
The withdrawal period ends on December 22, 2026 (UTC+8). Some reports cite 02:00 UTC as the cutoff time, so do not wait until the final day.
What happens to my CET tokens?
CET can be sold at 0.005 USDT per token until September 29, 2026. Any CET still in your account on that date will be repurchased automatically at the same price and credited as USDT.
What happens if I miss the December 22 deadline?
Unwithdrawn USDT moves into independent custody with a monthly fee of 5% of the original balance. Claims can be emailed to support@coinex.com until August 22, 2028.
Does the shutdown affect CoinEx Wallet?
No. CoinEx says CoinEx Wallet and CoinEx Vault are independent of the exchange and remain available for normal use.
Related Terms
Centralized exchange (CEX): A company-run platform that holds user funds and matches trades.
Self-custody wallet: A wallet where you control the private keys instead of a third party.
Proof of reserves: A method exchanges use to show they hold enough assets to cover user balances.
Stablecoin: A crypto asset designed to track a stable value, such as USDT tracking the US dollar.
Delisting: The removal of a token from an exchange, ending trading and often deposits.
Sources
CoinEx, "CoinEx to Cease Operations and Begin an Orderly Wind-Down," official announcement, September 15, 2026. https://www.coinex.com/en/announcements/detail/53539656293908
CoinEx Proof of Reserves page. https://www.coinex.com/en/reserve-proof
The Block, "Crypto exchange CoinEx to shut down after 9 years, citing market slump," September 15, 2026. https://www.theblock.co/news/business/2026-09-15-coinex-shut-down-414788
Cointelegraph, "CoinEx to Shut Down as Trading Volumes Decline," September 15, 2026. https://cointelegraph.com/news/coinex-cease-operation-citing-significant-crypto-contraction
The Crypto Times, "CoinEx Announces Shutdown After 9 Years, Withdrawals Open Until December 22, 2026," September 15, 2026. https://www.cryptotimes.io/2026/09/15/coinex-announces-shutdown-after-9-years-withdrawals-open-until-december-22-2026/
Haipo Yang, statement on X, September 15, 2026. https://x.com/yhaiyang/status/2099680499094737251
More Reading
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This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial or legal advice. Details are based on CoinEx's official announcement and widely reported coverage as of September 15, 2026. Always confirm deadlines through official CoinEx channels.
