Overview
This guide explains how to design, implement, and use a secure login experience for cryptocurrency exchanges, wallets, and fintech platforms — from both the developer and end-user perspectives.
A secure login flow reduces account takeover risk, supports regulatory compliance, and increases customer trust. The sections below cover recommended authentication standards, MFA options, token management patterns, audit logging, and developer integration tips.
Authentication standards
Modern systems should adopt industry standards such as OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect for authorization and identity. These protocols separate credential exchange from API access, reducing direct exposure of sensitive secrets.
For machine-to-machine or service integrations, use OAuth client credentials and scopes. For user logins, prefer an authorization code flow with PKCE in single-page and mobile apps to mitigate interception.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA is essential. Offer multiple second-factor options:
- Time-based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) via authenticator apps
- Hardware security keys and WebAuthn for phishing-resistant protection
- Push-based approvals for a friction-reduced UX
Always require MFA for high-risk operations (withdrawals, large trades, API key creation) and provide clear recovery paths for lost factors.
Token management & sessions
Use short-lived access tokens and store refresh tokens securely server-side or in secure storage. Tokens should be JWTs or opaque tokens signed and validated by the authorization server. Implement token revocation to immediately invalidate compromised credentials.
Session management best practices include:
- HttpOnly & Secure cookies for web sessions, with SameSite policy
- Automatic session expiration and reauthentication for sensitive actions
- Device/session enumeration so users can terminate active sessions
API security & developer patterns
When exposing APIs for trading, custody, or account management, developers should:
- Enforce least-privilege scopes for API keys
- Apply HMAC request signing to protect integrity
- Rate-limit and require per-account quotas to reduce abuse
- Maintain separate sandbox and production environments
For example, endpoints like /v1/account/balance should demand a valid access token with specific scopes, while /v1/withdrawal should require additional confirmation and higher privilege.
Monitoring, logging & auditability
Comprehensive logs help detect suspicious access and support incident response. Capture authentication events, token issuance, IP addresses, user agents, and device identifiers. Retain logs according to compliance requirements and provide exportable reports to auditors.
User experience & recovery
Security should be balanced with clear UX: present risk-based authentication (step up only when needed), provide simple MFA setup, and offer secure account recovery that avoids introducing new attack vectors. Recovery should require multiple verification checks rather than single knowledge-based questions.
Compliance & privacy
Financial platforms must consider KYC/AML obligations, regional data protection (GDPR, CCPA), and record-keeping. Make privacy disclosures clear and keep user data encrypted at rest and in transit. Work with legal/compliance teams to define retention and reporting policies.
Developer resources & links
Use the links below to jump to relevant docs and tools. Replace these placeholders with your platform’s prod and sandbox URLs when you integrate.
Final notes for implementers
Start with secure defaults: HTTPS everywhere, CSP headers, strict CORS, and secure cookie policies. Enforce MFA and monitor anomalies. Offer a developer sandbox and robust docs so integrators can securely test login and custody flows without touching production funds.