How to Sign Up for OKX: Account Opening Requirements, Access Points and Full Step-by-Step Process
The core of registering on OKX is to first complete basic account registration, then unlock full trading permissions by passing identity verification (KYC). Without finishing real-name authentication, you will not be able to perform crypto deposit, withdrawal or trading operations. Below is the full process for both mobile app and web platforms.
1. Pre-Registration: Prepare Required Materials
Before you start the registration process, make sure you have all the items below on hand to avoid unexpected interruptions.
A frequently used mobile phone number or email address (ensure you can receive verification codes normally). It is recommended to use a real-name registered mobile number, avoid virtual operator numbers.
A valid government-issued ID document (Mainland China users need to prepare their second-generation resident ID card).
If you are located in a region with restricted network access, prepare a stable network connection.
Download the OKX App on your Android or iOS device (new users are recommended to use the mobile app for the smoothest registration experience).
2. Step 1: Complete Basic Registration
Open the OKX App or official website (okx.com), then click the "Sign Up" entry.
App Registration Process:
Select your country/region of residence (Mainland China users select the +86 country code).
Enter your mobile phone number and email address, the system will require you to bind both during the process.
Set your login password — it is recommended to include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and special characters (example: Okx_2025#), do not use birthdays or consecutive number sequences. Password strength directly affects your account security.
Enter the referral code in the "Invite Code" field: 24U2795 (this is not mandatory, but entering it will grant you trading fee discounts). The invite code must be filled in during registration, and cannot be added after your account is created.
Key Reminder: During registration, the system will send verification codes to both your mobile number and email address. Verification codes are valid for 6 minutes, never share your code with anyone, official OKX customer support will never ask for your verification code.
When is basic registration completed? You will see a "Registration Successful" page, and you can log in to your account to view your basic profile information.
3. Step 2: Complete Identity Verification (KYC)
After finishing basic registration, your account's deposit and trading functions are not yet activated. You must complete real-person identity verification to unlock all permissions. Unverified accounts cannot perform crypto buying/selling, deposit/withdrawal, or fund transfer operations.
How to complete it:
Enter the verification page: Log in to the App, click the user center icon in the top left corner → "Identity Verification" → "Verify Now".
Upload your ID document: Take clear photos of the front and back of your ID card, make sure all four corners of the document are visible, text is legible, and there is no glare on the photo.
Complete face liveness check: Follow the on-screen prompts to perform actions such as turning your head and blinking. Ensure the surrounding light is even, take off glasses and hats, and do not use beauty filters.
Submit and wait for review: The verification process is usually completed within 10-30 minutes, in rare cases it may take a few working days.
When is KYC completed? The status in the OKX App will change from "Pending Verification" to "Verified", and all trading and withdrawal functions will be fully unlocked.
Common reasons for KYC failure: Glare on ID photos, incomplete document corners, too dark ambient light during face verification, or unstable network connection.
4. Step 3: Mandatory Security Settings
This is the most critical step to protect your account assets. Most account security risks occur when users skip these security settings. It is strongly recommended that you complete the following three configurations first.
Setting 1: Bind Google Authenticator (2FA) This is the most important security measure. Even if your login password is leaked, no one can log into your account without the 6-digit dynamic verification code. Operation path: Tap the user center icon in the top left corner of the OKX App → Security Settings → Authenticator App → Scan the QR code with Google Authenticator, then enter the 6-digit dynamic code to finish binding.
Setting 2: Set a fund password This password is used for crypto withdrawal and fund transfer operations, do not make it the same as your login password.
Setting 3: Create an anti-phishing code Create a unique phrase only you know in the security settings page. All official emails sent by OKX afterwards will include this phrase — if you receive an email that does not contain your anti-phishing code, treat it as a phishing scam email immediately.
When are security settings completed? All three security settings are turned on, and you have taken a screenshot to back up your Google Authenticator secret key (to avoid losing access when you change your mobile device).
Risk Reminder: After Mainland China users complete identity verification, their accounts can usually only use the C2C model for RMB fiat deposits and withdrawals, and some futures and leveraged trading functions may be restricted.
FAQ
Q: I didn't enter the invite code during registration, can I fill it in later? No. The invite code must be entered during the registration process, it cannot be added after your account is created. If you have not finished registration yet, remember to enter it in the "Invite Code" field. It does not affect your ability to register the account, but it will affect your eligibility for subsequent trading fee discounts.
Q: How long does identity verification usually take to get approved? Normally 10-30 minutes. If it takes longer than that, check your notification center to see if you are required to submit additional supporting documents. In rare cases where manual review of your ID information is needed, the process may extend to a few working days.
Q: What should I do if I don't receive the registration verification code? First check your email spam folder, mobile phone SMS block list, and confirm your network connection is stable. If you still can't receive the code after multiple attempts, wait a few minutes then try again.
Next Steps
After completing the above three steps, log into OKX and confirm two points: your identity verification status shows "Verified", and all three security functions (Google Authenticator, fund password, anti-phishing code) are enabled. You can then proceed to make your first deposit and start trading. If you are using a crypto trading platform for the first time, it is recommended to start with a small amount of funds (for example, less than 100 USDT) to get familiar with the full process of C2C crypto purchase and spot trading.
