Should Mainland China Users Register on OKX with Email or Phone Number?
Mainland China users are advised to register with an email and keep the phone number for two-factor authentication. Although OKX supports both phone numbers and emails during registration, in practice, due to network conditions and verification code delivery issues, using an email has a lower failure rate.
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Let's break it down.
First, Understand the Actual Status of OKX for Mainland China Users
OKX announced its withdrawal from the mainland China market in 2021. The official website is not directly accessible from mainland China, and the app has been removed from domestic app stores. However, as of July 2026, the platform still supports mainland China phone numbers (+86) and identity card verification during registration and KYC.
This means that technically you can still register using a mainland China phone number, but you need to manage network access on your own, and you must assume the associated compliance risks.
Since Both Work, Which One Should You Choose?
Option A: Register with Email First (Recommended)
- On the registration page, choose the email registration option.
- Enter your email address (QQ Mail, 163 Mail, Gmail, Outlook are all supported). Request an email verification code and set a login password (8-20 characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters).
- Enter the 6-digit verification code received in your email, click "Register," and you will be logged in.
Option B: Register with Phone Number First
- On the registration page, select phone number registration.
- Choose "China" (+86) as the country/region, enter your 11-digit mainland China phone number, request an SMS verification code, and set a password.
- Enter the code received on your phone to complete registration.
Both methods work, but Option A (email) is smoother in practice for three reasons:
- SMS delays are common: Some mainland China phone numbers experience delays or never receive international SMS verification codes. Email almost never has this problem.
- Phone numbers may trigger risk controls: If your network environment triggers the platform's risk control, registration via phone number may be blocked outright, while email is less affected.
- The subsequent process still requires a phone number: No matter which you use first, after completing registration the system will guide you to bind the other. Registering with email first and then adding your phone number takes less total time.
When Is Your Registration Complete?
No matter which method you choose first, the final account security settings page should show:
- Email: Verified
- Phone number: Verified (+86 1xxxxxxxxxx)
If only one is bound, the registration process is not yet complete. OKX's registration flow actually requires both a phone number and an email to be bound.
Prerequisites
- An email address that can receive messages normally (Gmail/Outlook recommended, QQ Mail also works).
- Your mainland China phone number must be able to receive SMS (to be used for later binding, not necessarily for initial registration).
- A network environment that allows you to access the OKX website or app.
Common Reasons for Failure
- Not receiving the email verification code: Check the spam/junk folder. If using Gmail, there may occasionally be a delay; wait 1-2 minutes before requesting a new code.
- Not receiving the SMS code: Make sure SMS filtering is not blocking messages; verify that the number format is correct (11 digits, no spaces); wait and resend instead of repeatedly clicking "Resend."
- Page shows "region restricted": The platform detects IP addresses. If it determines you are accessing from a restricted region, the registration process may be blocked. This is not an issue with the email or phone number itself.
Risk Reminder
- Compliance risk: Mainland China residents engaging in cryptocurrency trading through OKX are within the scope explicitly prohibited by regulatory policy, presenting significant compliance and fund risk.
- KYC consistency issue: If you select "China" as your country during registration, you must later submit a mainland China ID card for identity verification. If you register with a phone number from another country/region (e.g., Hong Kong or the US) but then submit a mainland China ID for KYC, the inconsistent information will cause your verification to be rejected.
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Final Completion Checklist
After registration, log in once with your email and password, and then try logging in with your phone number and password. If both work, it means both credentials are active.
Next step: Immediately bind Google Authenticator (or another TOTP app). Compared to phone number and email, this is an even more critical layer of security. Then complete KYC identity verification as soon as possible, because you cannot trade or withdraw funds until it is approved. Basic verification typically takes 1-24 hours.
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