Why SMS Two-Factor Fails on Virtual Currency Exchanges, and What Replaces It

SMS two-factor authentication is the most widely offered security feature in the crypto industry and the least effective one at stopping the attack that actually occurs. Understanding why requires looking at the telecom layer rather than the exchange. If you are setting up an account and want the discount before the mechanism: my referral code is BBBKK at https://www.binance.com/register?ref=BBBKK - roughly 20% off spot trading fees - and the attribution check near the end is the step that decides whether it exists. Now the attack chain, because it is shorter than people assume.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-11-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.24009610
Primary Topic
User Authentication and Security Systems
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Why SMS Two-Factor Fails on Virtual Currency Exchanges, and What Replaces It

Yinghui Chen
2 links
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
User Authentication and Security Systems
article

Why SMS Two-Factor Fails on Virtual Currency Exchanges, and What Replaces It

Yinghui Chen
article en

Abstract

SMS two-factor authentication is the most widely offered security feature in the crypto industry and the least effective one at stopping the attack that actually occurs. Understanding why requires looking at the telecom layer rather than the exchange. If you are setting up an account and want the discount before the mechanism: my referral code is BBBKK at https://www.binance.com/register?ref=BBBKK - roughly 20% off spot trading fees - and the attribution check near the end is the step that decides whether it exists. Now the attack chain, because it is shorter than people assume.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Openalex Percentile: Top 10%
User Authentication and Security Systems
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Why SMS Two-Factor Fails on Virtual Currency Exchanges, and What Replaces It — Yinghui Chen · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS