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Crypto exchange KYC

How to watermark your passport for crypto KYC

Before you upload your ID to a crypto exchange, add a watermark that ties it to that one verification — so a leaked copy is worthless to anyone else.

Almost every crypto exchange now requires KYC: a photo of your passport or ID, and usually a selfie. You hand over a complete identity package — and you have no control over how each platform stores it, or how long it keeps it.

Why crypto KYC deserves extra caution

Exchanges and the third-party providers they use for verification have a track record of data breaches. When a crypto platform is compromised, leaked KYC records — passport scans, selfies, addresses — are especially dangerous, because they map a verified identity directly to crypto holdings.

That makes crypto users a favored target for account takeover, SIM-swapping and social-engineering attacks. A clean, unmarked passport scan circulating after a breach is a gift to an attacker.

What you actually risk

The fix: watermark before you upload

Add a clear watermark naming the exchange and date — for example, “For [Exchange] KYC only — 2026-06-18.” The exchange can still verify everything it needs, but if that copy ever leaks, it's plainly bound to one context and far harder to reuse.

Built for privacy-minded users. Kavrylo never uploads your file — every step runs locally in your browser. For a community that values self-custody and minimal trust, that matters: your passport doesn't pass through our servers, because there are none in the loop.

How to do it with Kavrylo

  1. Add your documentDrop in the photo or PDF of your passport or ID.
  2. Name the exchange and dateFor example “For Exchange X KYC only”, with today's date.
  3. Download the protected fileSave your watermarked copy, ready for the verification upload.
  4. Complete KYC safelyThe copy is bound to that one check and resists reuse if leaked.

Extra precautions for crypto KYC

Frequently asked questions

Will a watermark cause my crypto KYC to be rejected?

It shouldn't. A well-placed watermark keeps your photo and document details legible, so verification still works while the copy is protected against reuse. Keep the mark away from the photo and machine-readable zone.

Why is crypto KYC riskier than other verifications?

Exchanges hold verified identities tied to financial holdings and have been frequent breach targets. A leaked, unmarked passport scan is highly valuable to attackers — watermarking limits how a leaked copy can be reused.

Does Kavrylo upload my passport?

No. Everything runs in your browser. No file is uploaded, no account is needed, and nothing passes through our servers — there are none in the loop.

Can I watermark a PDF as well as a photo?

Yes. Kavrylo handles both images and PDFs, whatever the exchange's upload step expects.

How much does it cost?

Kavrylo is free, with no limits and no sign-up.

Protect your ID before KYC

Free, private, entirely in your browser. No account, no upload.

Watermark my passport