How to Spot a Fake Binance, Coinbase, or MetaMask Website
Binance, Coinbase, and MetaMask are the most impersonated names in crypto. Here's exactly what to check for each before trusting a site claiming to be them.
The biggest names in crypto are also the most impersonated — precisely because their recognizability is what makes a fake version convincing in the first place. Knowing what to check specifically for these high-value targets is worth having memorized.
Why These Specific Platforms Get Targeted So Often
Binance, Coinbase, and MetaMask are among the most recognized names in crypto, which means an enormous number of people are actively searching for them, clicking links claiming to be them, and expecting to see a familiar interface when they arrive.
Check the Domain, Not Just the Name
The single most reliable check is the exact domain. Official domains are: binance.com, coinbase.com, and metamask.io. Anything with extra words or altered characters is not the real platform, regardless of how convincing the rest of the page looks.
Watch for Search Ads Specifically
Phishing sites impersonating these platforms frequently appear as paid search advertisements, sometimes ranking above the real website itself.
MetaMask Specifically: Never a Website Login
MetaMask is a browser extension or app, not a website with a login page — any site asking you to "log in" by entering wallet credentials is, by definition, not the real thing.
Coinbase and Binance: Verify Through the Official App or Bookmark
Using a saved bookmark created once from the verified official domain removes the risk of clicking a convincing but fake search result entirely.
What Legitimate Support Actually Looks Like
None of these platforms will proactively message you first asking for your seed phrase or remote access to your device.
The One Habit That Covers All Three
Typing the known, correct domain directly — rather than searching and clicking the first result — eliminates the majority of the risk.
Check whether a domain claiming to be a major exchange or wallet is genuine before entering any credentials or connecting a wallet.