Should UAE Users Choose Mobile Number or Email When Signing Up for OKX?
When registering for an OKX account as a UAE user, you don't have the option to choose between email and mobile number – the OKX platform requires you to bind both a mobile number and an email address during sign-up. Both are mandatory, so rather than picking one, you need to have both ready and complete the verification steps in order.
Why isn't there a choice in the UAE?
OKX has obtained a full licence (Licence No. VL/23/12/003) from Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), allowing it to serve retail and institutional investors in the UAE with compliant services. To meet regulatory identity-verification requirements, the registration flow forces users to bind both a mobile number and an email address, confirming account ownership and enhancing security.
Step‑by‑Step Instructions
Prerequisites:
An email address that can send and receive messages normally (international providers such as Gmail or Outlook are recommended)
A UAE mobile number that can receive SMS (starting with +971)
It is advisable to use a UAE‑based IP address during registration
App:
Open the OKX app and tap [Sign Up].
From the country/region drop‑down list, select "United Arab Emirates".
Read and agree to the Terms of Service and relevant compliance documents, then tap [Create Account].
Enter your email address; the invitation code is optional. Tap [Sign Up].
Check your inbox for a 6‑digit verification code (valid for 10 minutes), enter it, and tap [Next].
The system will take you to the mobile‑binding page – the country code will already be set to +971. Enter your UAE mobile number (the digits after +971) and tap [Verify Now].
Enter the SMS verification code you receive and tap [Next].
Set a login password (use a mix of upper‑ and lower‑case letters, numbers, and special characters) and tap [Done].
Web:
Visit the OKX website and click [Sign Up].
Select "United Arab Emirates" as your country/region, agree to the terms, and click [Create Account].
Enter your email address and optional invitation code, then click [Sign Up].
Input the verification code sent to your email.
Add your mobile number (the country code will automatically match +971) and click [Verify Now].
Enter the SMS code, set your password, and complete the registration.
What success looks like: The page will display "Registration Successful", and under [Security Settings] you should see both "Email Verified" and "Mobile Number Verified" status.
Each mobile number and email address can only be tied to one OKX account. If you see the message "This phone number is already registered", it means the number is already linked to another account.
Key Steps After Registration
Once registered, UAE users need to complete the following to unlock all features:
Identity Verification (KYC): Accounts that haven't completed identity verification cannot buy or sell crypto, deposit or withdraw, borrow, or transfer funds. You'll need to upload your UAE ID or passport for verification.
Bind Google Authenticator: Link Google Authenticator under [Security Settings]. This is more secure than SMS codes and is the recommended method for withdrawal verification.
Extra requirements for derivatives trading (only for eligible investors who wish to trade futures): You must pass a knowledge test and suitability assessment, and provide a bank statement proving at least 500,000 AED in liquid cash.
Common Reasons for Failure
Not receiving the verification code: Check your email spam folder; make sure your phone isn't blocking SMS messages. Codes are valid for 10 minutes – request a new one if it expires.
Country code and number mismatch: The system auto‑fills +971; do not change it manually. Only enter the remaining digits of your phone number after the country code.
IP address doesn't match your registration country: If your IP appears to be outside the UAE, you may trigger additional risk checks.
Risk Notes
Changing your mobile number is difficult: If you later need to replace the mobile number bound at registration, you'll have to go through a security verification process to unlink the old number.
Your registration country cannot be easily changed: The country/region selected during sign‑up is tied to your KYC, and the platform does not allow users to actively change their registered country information afterwards.
Restrictions before identity verification: Accounts that haven't completed KYC have severely limited functionality and cannot trade, deposit, or withdraw normally.
UAE users can deposit and withdraw AED via bank account: Once verified, UAE residents can deposit and withdraw dirhams (AED) directly through their local bank accounts.
Confirming Completion
After successful registration, log in and go to [Security Settings] to confirm that both your email and mobile number show as "Bound". Then head to the [Identity Verification] page and submit your UAE ID or passport for KYC. Review usually takes 1–3 working days. Once approved, all trading features will be unlocked, and UAE users can freely access spot trading, convert, on‑chain earn products, and other services.
