What Freelancers Need to Prepare When Registering on OKX
The biggest hurdle for freelancers registering on OKX isn't the registration itself – a phone number or email is enough to get started. The real challenge lies in potential follow-up inquiries about the source of funds. According to OKX's official information, such reviews cover only about 1% of users. However, if you are selected, users without a fixed payslip need to prove their income is legal. The key is to prepare a clear description of your main income source and the corresponding supporting documents in advance. There is no need to fabricate employment details.
General Preparations Before Registration
What to do: Like all users, gather the basic materials required for registration.
How to do it:
Email: International email services like Gmail or Outlook are recommended to ensure verification codes arrive promptly. Some domestic email providers may experience delays due to network issues.
Phone number: A phone number registered under your own name that can receive SMS normally.
ID document: Mainland Chinese users usually use their national ID card. Users from Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and overseas can use a passport or local valid residence permit.
Device: A working smartphone is required, as the subsequent KYC process involves photo capture and facial recognition.
Referral code (if applicable): Enter during registration; it cannot be added after the account is created. You can use the OKX referral code 24U2795.
Completion indicator: Once all these items are ready, go to the official OKX website (okx.com) or open the official app to begin the registration process.
Core Preparation for Freelancers: Proof of Income and Source of Funds
What to do: If the platform later asks you to explain your source of funds, you need to clearly identify the corresponding documents to prepare and standardize the explanatory content.
How to do it: According to OKX's rules, freelancers can truthfully state "No fixed employer" in the employment field during registration. The core requirement is to honestly describe your income source. Below are approaches for different common scenarios:
Scenario A: Income from freelancing / personal projects
Category to select: Choose an option related to "Business Ownership" or "Other".
Documents to prepare (must be issued within the last 3 months):
Service contract / agreement: Clearly showing your name, service description, amount, and client information.
Client payment proof: Bank transfer records, Alipay/WeChat transfer screenshots that clearly display the payer, the recipient (you), and the transaction amount.
Invoice or receipt: Official invoices you issued to your clients.
Bank statement: Records showing the incoming funds for the corresponding income.
Scenario B: Income from DeFi mining, airdrops, on-chain transactions
Category to select: Choose an option related to "Investment Income" or "Other".
Documents to prepare:
Wallet screenshot: Log into your crypto wallet and capture a page showing your holdings and amounts. Before taking the screenshot, set your wallet's display name to your real name in pinyin to make it easier for the platform to verify.
Private key signature: If requested by the platform, use your wallet address to sign a specified message, proving that you truly control that wallet.
On-chain transaction records: Provide screenshots of your interaction history with DeFi platforms or airdrop claim records.
Scenario C: Income from multiple sources
Selection principle: Choose the core income item that has accounted for the largest proportion recently and explain and verify that. For example, if DeFi yields make up the majority, prepare according to Scenario B; if freelance project income is the main source, prepare according to Scenario A.
Completion indicator: You have clearly identified the classification corresponding to your main income source and know exactly what supporting documents are required. Note that such inquiries will not be issued to the majority of users. However, if you receive an inquiry, the description of your income source and the submitted materials must be truthful, consistent, and verifiable. All materials must include your real name, the corresponding amounts, and be within the validity period. Using illegal funds will, once discovered, result in direct account termination.
Complete Registration and KYC Verification
What to do: Complete the basic account setup and full identity verification process.
How to do it:
Registration: Click [Sign Up] on the official website or app, choose to register with your phone number or email, set an account password, and enter the relevant verification code. If you register via email, the subsequent process will also require you to bind a phone number under your name.
Identity Verification (KYC): After registration, go to [User Center] - [Identity Verification], upload clear photos of the original front and back of your ID document (screenshots or re-photographed copies are not accepted), and complete the liveness detection via facial recognition as instructed on the page.
Wait for review: The standard review time ranges from a few minutes to 24 hours.
Completion indicator: Once your account status shows as "Verified," it means certification is approved and the account can be used normally. If you subsequently receive a source of funds inquiry from the platform, simply submit the materials truthfully according to the guidelines for the relevant scenario.
