The first choice is the exchange you actually use. On desktop, find Exchange in the connection form. On mobile, choose Add connection, then open the exchange selector. Read the full provider name. Similar-looking names can refer to different services, and choosing the wrong one will not turn your credentials into credentials for that service.

The current app lists Coinbase Advanced, Kraken, Gemini, Binance U.S., Binance dot com, and Robinhood Crypto. The selector includes regional labels for the Binance choices and Robinhood Crypto. Treat those labels as part of identifying the service. A name appearing in TraderLobby does not establish that you personally qualify to use that exchange or every feature it offers.

Use the provider that matches your own account and the service available to you. Account type, region, and the exchange's current requirements can affect access. If a choice is unavailable or marked coming soon, do not try to work around that by selecting a different provider with a similar name. You can stay in Paper and continue learning.

Next, read Trading currency. This is the quote currency the connection will use for supported orders. A quote currency is the unit used to express the price and order amount for a trading pair. In Bitcoin priced in U.S. dollars, dollars are the quote currency. In Bitcoin priced in USDC, USDC is the quote asset.

The current Coinbase choice offers U.S. dollars and USDC. The Binance dot com choice uses USDT. The other listed providers currently offer U.S. dollars in this form. Read the options your screen actually offers, because provider support can change. U.S. dollars, USDC, and USDT are different assets, even when their names or displayed values seem related.

The line below the currency control makes an important point: no conversion is made. Selecting USDC does not exchange dollars for USDC. It also does not guarantee that the account has the selected asset available for an order. You will need to check both the chosen currency and the account information after connection.

Give the connection a clear name that will make sense later. For example, an illustrative name such as Main exchange account helps distinguish one connection from another without including a secret. The name is your label, not a permission setting. Calling a connection Read only does not actually remove its trading permissions.

Before continuing, confirm three things: the full provider name matches your account, the offered currency is the one you intend to use, and the connection name will help you recognize it. You can complete this check by reading the form and explaining the choices. There is no need to create an exchange account just to finish the page.