When a deposit is locked, start by identifying the type based on the status: if the assets show in your "available balance" but you cannot withdraw, it is usually a T+N risk control hold. If the deposit has been completed but account functions are restricted because you need to provide additional information, it is typically a Travel Rule compliance review. The two scenarios require completely different actions.
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1. T+N Risk Control: Assets Are in Your Account but "Can't Be Withdrawn"
T+N is a security protection mechanism triggered when you buy crypto via OKX C2C. After the risk control system evaluates the transaction risk, it imposes an N-day restriction on the equivalent amount of assets from that trade — restricting withdrawals and C2C selling, without affecting other trading or financial services on the platform.
How to Identify
Trigger stage: When you place a C2C order, during waiting for payment, or while waiting for the seller to confirm, the page will show three notices telling you that this order is protected by T+N.
What "N" means: T+1, T+3, and T+7 restrict the assets for 1, 3, or 7 days respectively, based on calendar days. The restriction is automatically lifted after expiry; no action is needed on your part.
Scope of restriction: Only the equivalent amount of assets from that specific order is restricted. Any balance in your account exceeding the order amount can still be withdrawn and sold on C2C as normal.
First, check whether you received a T+N notice. If the page did not show any T+N prompt when you placed the order, then after the trade is completed you can withdraw or sell immediately. If there was a prompt, you must wait N days for the system to unlock the assets automatically.
T+1 cannot be appealed — you can only wait for the automatic release. For T+3 and T+7, you can apply for early unfreezing via "Assets → Locked Assets module → C2C Order → Appeal". The review takes 3 calendar days and approval is not guaranteed.
2. Travel Rule Characteristics: Deposit or Transfer Requires "Additional Information"
The Travel Rule is a global anti-money laundering standard (FATF) that requires Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to disclose customer information for transactions above certain thresholds. If you are in a regulated region, your deposits or withdrawals may be subject to this rule.
How to Identify
Deposit locked: When depositing from an external address to OKX, if the originating party did not include Travel Rule information, your deposit may be locked until you provide the originator's details to unlock it.
Withdrawal requires information: When withdrawing to an external address, the system will ask you to provide the recipient's legal full name and indicate whether the receiving address is a private wallet or an exchange account. If the information is inaccurate, the withdrawal will be rejected and the assets returned to your account.
Possible "Satoshi test" verification: In some cases, a withdrawal to a private wallet may trigger a verification process. You will be required to send a specified amount (usually 1–10 USDT) from the destination address to an address provided by OKX within 90 minutes, to prove you control that address.
T+N and Travel Rule are not the same mechanism. T+N is based on C2C purchase risk and restricts the "withdrawal time"; the Travel Rule is based on compliance requirements and restricts "whether the transfer can be completed." The solution for the former is to "wait"; for the latter, it is to "provide the required information."
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3. Quick Reference Identification Table
| What You See | Type | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| After buying via C2C, assets are in the account but cannot be withdrawn or sold; page shows T+N notice | T+N Risk Control | Wait N days for auto-release; for T+3/T+7 you can appeal to try to unfreeze early |
| Deposit from an external address hasn't arrived; block explorer shows the transaction but funds are locked | Travel Rule Compliance Review | Contact OKX customer support and provide the sender's information (name, country of residence, etc.) |
| When withdrawing, you are asked to fill in the recipient's name and confirm the address type | Travel Rule Compliance Review | Truthfully fill in the information; inaccurate info will cause the withdrawal to be rejected |
| When withdrawing, a "Satoshi test" is triggered, requiring you to send a specified amount from the destination address | Travel Rule + Address Verification | Complete the transfer within 90 minutes; the withdrawal will only proceed after the test is passed |
Risk notice: The transfer amount for the Satoshi test (1–10 USDT) does not include network fees, which you must cover yourself. If the test fails, the transferred amount will be locked and can only be unlocked by providing the sender's information.
After going through the above, how do you confirm what's happening?
First, determine your situation: is it that you cannot withdraw after a C2C purchase (check the order details for a T+N countdown), or are you being asked to provide additional information for a deposit/withdrawal (see if the system pops up a window asking for the recipient's name or to complete a Satoshi test). If it's the former, wait for the countdown to end; if it's the latter, provide the required information or complete the test as requested. If neither scenario matches but your deposit is indeed locked, it could be due to network suspension or wallet maintenance — contact OKX customer support directly to confirm.
