Withdrawal freezes

A withdrawal freeze is when an exchange pauses withdrawals, so coins and money cannot leave the platform for a while.

What it means

Short, announced pauses for maintenance or network upgrades are common; long or unexplained freezes can be a sign of trouble, because coins on an exchange are a claim on the company, not coins in your own wallet.

What to watch

Whether the pause was announced with a reason and an end time, how long it lasts, and whether it covers one network or every withdrawal.

How Compass-Alpha uses it

Background only; not used in any figure on Compass-Alpha.