"How does it actually work" is one of the most common questions before founders apply - not because the concept is complicated, but because "browse, compare, apply" doesn't say much about what happens after you hit submit. Here's the full path, stage by stage.

Step 1: Browse and filter

Start in the directory, filtered by service type (Exchange Listing or Market Making), tier, budget, and rating so you're only looking at exchanges or market makers that actually fit your project - not scrolling through everything on the platform.

Step 2: Compare your shortlist

Put providers side by side - pricing, terms, requirements - before you apply anywhere. This is the step most founders skip when going the DIY route, because getting comparable numbers from multiple exchanges or market makers usually takes weeks of separate conversations. On AnyPartners it's upfront.

Step 3: Apply with detail

Submit your request directly to the provider through the platform. The more specific your application - budget, goals, timeline - the faster it tends to move. Vague applications are the most common reason a request stalls waiting on additional information.

Step 4: Review and sign the agreement

Once a provider approves your request, you'll review the terms and sign the agreement on the platform. This is where the deal actually gets locked in - read it carefully, since it's a direct agreement between you and the provider.

Step 5: Pay directly to the provider

Payment happens wallet to wallet, directly between you and the provider, per the terms you just agreed to. AnyPartners never holds or processes the funds at any point in between.

Step 6: Track connection and integration

From here, your dashboard shows exactly where things stand - connection setup, technical integration, and eventually the provider marking the work complete. You'll have a window to confirm or flag any issues before it's marked done.

What this looks like for a listing vs. a market making deal

The six steps are the same shape for both, but what "integration" means differs: for an exchange listing, it's typically the technical listing process (trading pair setup, going live on the order book). For market making, it's the provider connecting to your liquidity and beginning active quoting.

How long does this take?

Timelines vary meaningfully by provider and by how complete your application is going in - there isn't a single honest number to give here yet while AnyPartners is in beta and building up a track record across a wider set of providers. What's consistent is that every stage is visible in your dashboard the whole way through, instead of you wondering whether a DM ever reached the right person.