How to Open an OKX Institutional Account? What's the Difference from a Personal Account?
Institutional accounts and personal accounts are two independent systems onOKX, differing in account opening entry, verification process, and account features. Personal accounts follow KYC (Know Your Customer), while institutional accounts follow KYB (Know Your Business), requiring submission of company registration documents, director information, ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) materials, etc., with manual review.
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1. Institutional Account vs. Personal Account: Key Differences
The fundamental difference lies in the account holder. Personal accounts are opened by natural persons, while institutional accounts are opened by legal entities.
| Dimension | Personal Account | Institutional Account |
|---|---|---|
| Account Holder | Natural person | Legal entities such as companies, funds, trusts |
| Verification Type | KYC (Know Your Customer) | KYB (Know Your Business) |
| Verification Method | Online automated review | Manual review, requiring full company documentation |
| Typical Materials | ID card/passport | Certificate of incorporation, articles of association, register of directors, UBO information, etc. |
| Applicable Scenarios | Personal trading | Team collaboration, fund segregation, institutional-grade trading |
| Sub-account Support | Basic sub-account functions | Asset sub-accounts, multi-role permission management |
2. How to Open an Institutional Account
The entry point for institutional accounts is only available on the web version, not on the app.
Step 1: Register an Account
Register an account on the official website, using an email to receive a verification code to complete the basic registration. The email and phone number used during registration will become the login credentials for the institutional account.
Step 2: Enter the Institutional Verification Page
After logging in, click on the personal center in the top right corner → [Verification] → Select [Institutional Verification] or [Corporate Verification].
Step 3: Fill in Company Information
The information required includes:
Basic Company Information: Company name, registration number, date of incorporation, registered address, principal place of business
Key Company Personnel Information: At least one company officer/manager (CEO/CFO/COO), directors (if any), ultimate beneficial owner (UBO), authorized users
Step 4: Upload Documents
The following documents must be scanned and uploaded:
Certificate of incorporation or business registration certificate
Memorandum and articles of association
Register of directors
Register of shareholders or beneficial ownership structure chart (signed within the past 12 months)
Proof of business address (if different from registered address)
Account opening authorization letter (or a board resolution containing relevant authorization)
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) questionnaire or equivalent document
Step 5: Sign the Agreement and Wait for Review
After submission, the manual review process begins. Once approved, a representative will contact you to sign the membership agreement, and the account will be activated upon completion.
3. Eligible Institutional Types
OKXsupports account opening for various institutional entity types, including:
Private companies
Private financial institutions
Publicly traded companies
Funds
Family offices
Trusts
Non-profit organizations (NPOs)
State-owned enterprises
Required materials may vary slightly by institutional type; refer to the page prompts for details.
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4. Core Features of Institutional Accounts
1. Asset Sub-accounts
This is a unique feature of institutional accounts. Institutions can use asset sub-accounts as "trading teams" or "investors":
Trading Team: Requires institutional status and VIP 1 or above, can manage funds from multiple investors, with strategies and trading records kept confidential
Investor: Can entrust asset sub-accounts to a trading team for management, enjoy the team's VIP fee rates, and achieve risk isolation—losses in one sub-account do not affect other sub-accounts
2. Multi-role Permission Management
Institutional accounts support setting different permission roles (read-only, financial manager, approver, etc.), suitable for team collaboration scenarios.
3. Regional Restrictions
Institutional accounts do not serve businesses in certain regions, including the United States and its territories, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore (some services restricted), Canada, etc. Refer to the application page for details.
Can a personal account be converted to an institutional account?
No. Personal accounts and institutional accounts are completely independent systems. Personal accounts cannot be "upgraded" or "converted" to institutional accounts. You need to register with a new email and follow the institutional account opening process.
How long does institutional account review take?
The official review period is not fixed and depends on the completeness of submitted materials. After submission, manual review proceeds, and any additional material requirements will be communicated via email. It is recommended to prepare the full set of company documents in advance.
Does an institutional account support sub-accounts?
Yes. Institutional accounts can create asset sub-accounts for fund segregation, strategy isolation, or delegated trading. Withdrawal permissions for asset sub-accounts are controlled by the main account, offering a higher level of fund security than regular sub-accounts.
