If a trader you're copying buys a token but the system doesn't follow the trade, it's usually not a bug. The "Skip holdings" switch is doing its job. By default, this switch is turned on, which means the system won't re-buy tokens already held in your wallet.
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Here are 3 steps to understand and configure this parameter correctly.
Step 1: Locate the "Skip holdings" parameter
This setting is inside the buy configuration of each copy trading task. It's not a global setting – every copy task has its own.
What to do: When creating or editing a copy trading task, find the relevant option below the Buy Mode setting.
How to do it:
App: [DEX Trading] – [Copy Trading] – [Create Copy Task] – [Buy Mode]
Web: [OKX Wallet official site] – [Strategies] – [Copy Trading] – [Create Copy Task]
Below Buy Mode, you'll see "Skip holdings". By default, it is enabled (meaning "do not duplicate buy").
When is this step complete? You've found the exact location and current state of this switch in your copy task.
Common mistake: Searching for this parameter inside the contract/spot copy trading settings on the "Trade Square". The "Skip holdings" switch currently lives in OKX Wallet's Web3 on-chain copy trading, which is separate from the centralized exchange's contract copy trading system.
Step 2: Understand what "on" and "off" actually mean
This switch controls whether the system checks if you already hold a token in your wallet before executing a copy buy.
What to do: Decide whether to keep it on or turn it off based on your position management strategy.
How to do it:
| Switch state | System behavior | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| On (default) | When the trader buys a token, the system checks your wallet. If you already hold that token, the copy buy won't execute. If you don't hold it, the buy goes through normally. | You want to avoid repeatedly adding to the same token and prefer a more diversified portfolio. |
| Off | The system does not check whether you hold the token. You will follow every buy the trader makes, no matter how much you already hold. | You trust the trader and are willing to keep adding to the same token. |
Note: When you turn this off, you can also set "Max increase buys per token" to limit how many times the system adds to the same token, preventing unlimited averaging.
When is this step complete? You know whether you need "diversified holding" (keep on) or "allow adding" (turn off).
Step 3: Adjust the setting based on your actual holdings
If the system skips a copy buy while "Skip holdings" is on, the most common reason is: you already hold that token in your wallet – maybe you bought it manually, or another copy task bought it for you.
What to do: Decide whether to turn the switch off based on your real situation.
How to do it:
Case A (I don't want to buy tokens I already hold): Leave the switch on. The system will automatically filter out all buy signals for tokens you already own. This is OKX's default setting and acts as a safeguard against duplicate buys.
Case B (I want to keep adding to the token along with the trader): Turn "Skip holdings" off. The system will then follow the buy even if you hold the token. It's recommended to also set a "Max increase buys per token" to prevent single-token risk from growing too large.
Case C (I want to copy the trade but already hold the token and don't want more): Do nothing. The default setting will skip the buy for you. The logic is correct.
When is this step complete? You've adjusted the parameter based on your current wallet holdings and copy strategy, and confirmed that its state matches your intention.
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How to verify the setting works correctly?
After adjusting the parameter, wait for the trader's next buy of a similar token and check:
If the switch is on: Confirm the system did not follow the buy for a token you already hold. Go to the [Copy Trading] page and check the order filtering log (if available) to see that it was skipped.
If the switch is off: Confirm the system executed the buy and that your holdings of that token increased.
If the system behaves according to your setting, you've set it correctly. If you turned "Skip holdings" on but the system still added to a token you held, check whether that token was bought via a different quote token. The system generally won't copy trades for native network tokens, wrapped versions, USDT, USDC, or other stablecoins. In such cases, you may need to re-evaluate the copy task configuration.
