Open the OKX trading page. In a trading pair such as "BTC/USDT", the coin after the slash, "USDT", is the quote currency. Choose the trading pair that uses the coin you want to pay with. Below is how to find and switch it.
Step 1: Find the Quote Currency on the Trading Page
What to do: Check what the quote currency is for the current trading pair.
On the app: Tap Trade in the bottom navigation bar. The top-left corner shows the current trading pair, such as "BTC/USDT". The part after the slash (USDT) is the quote currency.
On the web: On the official website, click Buy Crypto → Spot in the top-left area. Once the trading page opens, look at the trading pair in the top-left corner.
Done when: You clearly see the quote currency name after the slash in the trading pair.
Step 2: Switch the Quote Currency — Just Search for the Trading Pair
The quote currency is not set separately. Switching the trading pair is the same as switching the quote currency.
How to do it: Tap the trading pair area in the top-left corner. A search box will appear. Enter the coin you want to buy, and the system will list all related trading pairs.
For example, if you want to buy SOL, search "SOL" and you will see:
- SOL/USDT: buy with USDT
- SOL/BTC: buy with BTC
- SOL/ETH: buy with ETH
The quote currency is the one after the slash. Pick the trading pair with the coin you want to use for buying.
Done when: The top-left corner shows your selected trading pair, and the order area shows the matching quote currency balance. For example, if you select SOL/USDT, it shows how much USDT you have available.
Step 3: Which Quote Currency Is Easiest for Beginners?
Case A: You have USDT in your account — Choose XXX/USDT. This category has the best liquidity and the most trading pairs on OKX. USDT pairs cover most major coins and altcoins, so they are the most beginner-friendly.
Case B: You have BTC or ETH in your account — If you hold BTC and want to exchange it for another coin, choose XXX/BTC. The same idea applies to ETH.
Case C: You have other stablecoins such as USDC or DAI — The principle is the same: find the trading pair with that quote currency.
OKX lets you customize your preferred quote currency. Go to Profile → Settings → Trading Settings and adjust the default quote unit (USDT, BTC, ETH, BNB, etc.). However, this only changes what you see. It does not change the quote currency used for your order. When you place an order, the trading pair still controls it.
Common Problem: Cannot Find the Trading Pair You Want
If you search "SHIB" and only see SHIB/USDT but not SHIB/BTC, it means OKX has not listed that pair. Not every coin covers all quote currencies. Go to the Markets page and look at the trading pairs listed under that coin; it will be clear at a glance.
How to Verify You Selected the Right Pair
After selecting a trading pair, check the available balance in the order area. For example, if you choose SOL/USDT, the system will show how much USDT you have. If the balance shows correctly, the quote currency is selected correctly and you can start placing an order.
