Key takeaways
- OKX offers diverse trading options, including spot, margin, futures and options.
- With a strong global presence, OKX operates in 180+ countries but faces regulatory challenges in specific regions, including the US and China.
- The exchange’s user interface is clean, intuitive and accessible across web and mobile platforms.
- OKX prioritizes security and hasn’t yet encountered a major hacking incident.
OKX, founded in 2017 and rebranded from OKEx to OKX in 2021, is headquartered in Malta.
The exchange offers a broad range of services, including spot, margin, futures and options trading, as well as staking and DeFi services.
By 2025, OKX has solidified its position as one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, consistently ranking in the top three by daily trading volume. With over 20 million registered users, it supports trading in over 400 digital assets.
OKX is available in more than 180 countries and regions, including major markets like Asia, Europe and North America.
Still, the exchange faces regulatory hurdles in some jurisdictions. As of 2025, it is not available to users in the United States, mainland China and several European countries due to local legal restrictions.
Let’s dive deeper into the inner workings of this top crypto exchange.
User experience
OKX’s user experience aligns with the high standards of top cryptocurrency exchanges, providing accessibility across various platforms tailored to different trader needs:
- Web interface: OKX offers a responsive and intuitive web platform, providing comprehensive tools for trading, portfolio management and market analysis.
- Mobile applications: OKX’s mobile apps, available for iOS and Android, enable users to trade on the go, manage their assets and track market trends in real time.
- API access: For developers and algorithmic traders, OKX provides API connectivity, allowing integration with third-party applications and custom trading solutions.
OKX is known for its user-friendly and modern interface. The dashboard offers a clear snapshot of market trends, balances and recent transactions, ensuring that important information is easily accessible.
Navigation is straightforward, with organized menus and a clean layout. The mobile apps are designed to mirror the web experience, maintaining consistency and ease of use across devices.
Signing up on OKX is quick and simple:
- Sign-up: Users start by entering their email address or phone number and setting a secure password.
- Email/Phone verification: A verification link or code is sent to confirm the contact details.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Users are encouraged to enable 2FA for enhanced security, typically through an authenticator app or SMS.
To comply with international regulations, OKX enforces a Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process. The requirements generally include:
- Personal information: Users must provide their full name, date of birth and residential address.
- Identity verification: A government-issued photo ID must be submitted, such as a passport or driver’s license.
- Proof of address: In some cases, a utility bill or bank statement may be required to verify the user’s residency.
The KYC requirements may vary based on the user’s country of residence and local regulations. OKX ensures that all submitted information is securely encrypted, adhering to strict data protection standards.
Trading experience
OKX offers a diverse selection of over 400 cryptocurrencies, including major assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and Litecoin (LTC), as well as numerous altcoins and stablecoins. The exchange offers:
- Spot trading: Pairs such as BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT and LTC/USDT are available, among others.
- Futures and perpetual contracts: OKX offers futures contracts and perpetual swaps for various cryptocurrencies, allowing leveraged trading with up to 100x leverage on certain pairs.
- Options trading: The exchange also provides options trading for select cryptocurrencies, adding to its diverse trading offerings.
OKX supports fiat deposits and withdrawals in multiple currencies, including USD, EUR, AUD, GBP and INR.
Did you know? In November 2024, the exchange introduced instant Singapore dollar deposits and withdrawals for customers in Singapore, enhancing its integration with the local financial system.
Fees and execution
OKX employs a tiered fee structure based on users’ 30-day trading volume and OKB token holdings:
Spot trading fees:
- Maker fee: Starts at 0.08% for regular users and decreases with higher trading volumes or OKB holdings.
- Taker fee: Begins at 0.10% for regular users and decreases with higher trading activity or OKB holdings.
Futures trading fees:
- Maker fee: Starts at 0.02% for non-VIP users.
- Taker fee: Begins at 0.05% for non-VIP users.
Fees for withdrawals vary depending on the specific cryptocurrency. For example, the withdrawal fee for BTC is 0.00035 BTC per transaction, while ETH withdrawals incur a fee of 0.003 ETH.
OKX is recognized for its high liquidity and efficient trade execution. The platform offers deep liquidity in spot and futures markets, ensuring that trades are executed swiftly and at desired prices.
For algorithmic traders, OKX provides robust API connectivity, supporting high-frequency trading strategies with low latency.
Did you know? OKX offers a variety of automated trading strategies, including Spot Grid, Futures Grid, Recurring Buy, Smart Portfolio, Arbitrage, Iceberg and Time-weighted Average Price (TWAP), though portfolio accounts currently do not support these strategies.
Security
OKX utilizes cold storage solutions to protect most digital assets on its platform, ensuring they are offline and less susceptible to cyber threats.
Additionally, OKX maintains insurance funds to cover potential losses from unforeseen events, enhancing user confidence in the platform’s commitment to asset protection. OKX also employs regular proof-of-reserves audits.
To bolster account security, OKX offers several protective measures:
- Two-factor authentication: Users are encouraged to enable 2FA, adding an extra layer of protection by requiring a second form of verification during login.
- Withdrawal safelist: This feature allows users to specify trusted withdrawal addresses, ensuring that funds can only be withdrawn to pre-approved destinations.
- Anti-phishing measures: OKX provides an anti-phishing code, which is included in official communications to help users identify legitimate messages and avoid phishing scams.
Regulatory compliance
OKX obtained pre-authorization under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) on Jan. 22, 2025.
This pre-authorization signifies that OKX has completed the regulator’s review process and is eligible to be approved for a full MiCA license.
Upon receiving the full license, OKX plans to offer localized crypto services to over 400 million Europeans through its European Economic Area (EEA) hub based in Malta.
Did you know? OKX has not been involved in any major hacking incidents.
Customer support
OKX offers multiple support channels to assist users. Live chat is available 24/7, providing real-time assistance for urgent inquiries.
Additionally, users can reach the support team via email at support@okx.com, where responses are typically received within one business day.
For more detailed queries, OKX has an extensive online Help Center, including FAQs, product documents and guides, ensuring users can easily access valuable information.
Regarding response time, OKX strives to resolve all user issues within 10 minutes, with many customer service representatives resolving problems within two to three minutes.
User feedback on OKX is generally favorable. On Capterra, the platform holds an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, with users praising its user-friendly interface and comprehensive trading tools.
On GetApp, the OKX Wallet app has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, with users appreciating its straightforward design and fast response times.
Conversely, on Sitejabber, OKX has a lower rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars. Still, it’s important to consider that disgruntled users are much more likely to write reviews than those who have had positive experiences.
Additional services
OKX distinguishes itself from other cryptocurrency exchanges by offering several unique services:
- Comprehensive trading options: Beyond spot trading, OKX provides futures, perpetual swaps and options trading, catering to a wide range of strategies.
- Advanced trading tools: The platform features a high-speed order-matching engine and customizable yield products, enhancing the trading experience for institutional clients and VIPs.
- Earn platform: OKX offers an “Earn” section where users can participate in various yield-generating products, providing opportunities to earn passive income on their holdings.
- Launchpad: The exchange’s Launchpad allows users to participate in token sales and initial exchange offerings (IEOs), giving them early access to promising projects.
- Bot trading: OKX provides automated trading bots that enable users to execute trading strategies without manual intervention, enhancing efficiency and potential profitability.
- Decentralized finance (DeFi) integration: Through the OKX Wallet, users can access decentralized applications (DApps), explore DeFi projects, and engage with non-fungible tokens (NFTs), offering a comprehensive Web3 experience.
Pros and cons
The table below summarizes the pros and cons of trading crypto on OKX:
Final thoughts
There isn’t much standing in the way of OKX in 2025.
It has firmly established itself as a leading cryptocurrency exchange, offering a wide range of trading options, advanced features and a user-friendly interface that caters to beginners and experienced traders. With its solid global presence, low fees and commitment to security, OKX is a strong contender in the crypto exchange market.
Aside from the regulatory challenges in select markets, the cryptocurrency exchange has not suffered a single instance of hacking and enjoys relatively glowing reviews.
Whether you’re interested in spot trading, futures, staking, or even looking for a centralized solution to store your funds, OKX is a good egg.
FAQ
1. What is OKX?
OKX is a leading cryptocurrency exchange, founded in 2017 and rebranded from OKEx to OKX in 2021. It provides a broad range of services, including spot, margin, futures and options trading, as well as staking and DeFi services.
2. What cryptocurrencies can I trade on OKX?
OKX supports trading in over 400 digital assets, including major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and Litecoin (LTC), along with numerous altcoins and stablecoins.
3. How do I sign up for an OKX account?
Signing up on OKX is quick and simple. You must provide your email or phone number, set a secure password, verify your contact details and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.
4. What is the KYC process on OKX?
OKX requires a Know Your Customer (KYC) verification process for compliance with international regulations. You’ll need to provide personal information, submit a government-issued ID and occasionally prove your address with a utility bill or bank statement.
5. What trading options are available on OKX?
OKX offers spot trading, futures and perpetual contracts with up to 100x leverage, and options trading. It also supports fiat deposits and withdrawals in currencies such as USD, EUR, GBP and INR.
6. What security measures does OKX have?
OKX prioritizes security with robust measures such as two-factor authentication (2FA), encryption of user data and compliance with international data protection standards.
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