Centralized Exchanges · Review
ActiveOKX Review 2026: A Full-Service Centralized Crypto Exchange
OKX is a large centralized crypto exchange offering spot, derivatives, earn products, a Web3 wallet and a card. DefiLlama tracks about $29.3 billion in TVL, but users still rely on the exchange as a custodian.
By the DappsAtlas editorial team · Updated
DappsAtlas score
8.0/10
Excellent
Our verdict on OKX
8.0/10OKX suits traders who want one platform for buying crypto, spot and derivatives trading, earning yield and using a Web3 wallet, as well as developers who want automation tools. Its main strength is breadth, backed by a large asset base and published Proof of Reserves. The main caveat is custody: funds sit with the exchange, DefiLlama lists no audits, fee rates are not public, and product availability depends on your region.
Score breakdown
How OKX scores
- Security
- 7.0/10
- Ease of use
- 7.5/10
- Fees
- n/a
- Features
- 9.0/10
Scores run from 0 to 10 and are based only on facts we could verify. Where information was missing we mark the score n/a rather than guess.
What is OKX?
OKX, formerly OKEx, is a centralized cryptocurrency exchange. DefiLlama describes it as a Seychelles-based spot and derivatives exchange, while Wikipedia says it is based in San Jose, California and was founded in 2013. Its US site lists a San Francisco address and an NMLS number.
The homepage covers buying crypto by card, spot trading, a Convert tool, Earn products, a Web3 wallet and a payment card. It also promotes AI agent tools and a suite for institutions. App store listings claim more than 100 million users, a figure that comes from OKX's own descriptions and is not independently verified here.
DefiLlama tracks about $29.3 billion in assets across more than 20 chains, with a 7-day change of 0.8%. The exchange has its own token, OKB.
How OKX works
OKX is a centralized exchange. Users deposit crypto or buy it with a card, and the exchange holds the assets in custody. Trades are matched on OKX's own order books and recorded in its internal ledger, not on a blockchain, until a user withdraws.
The platform covers several product areas. Spot trading and Convert handle simple buying and selling, derivatives and RFQ serve more advanced traders, and Earn and Onchain Earn offer yield products. A separate Web3 wallet and a card extend the service beyond the exchange.
DefiLlama counts the assets the exchange holds on many chains, including Ethereum, Bitcoin, Solana, Tron and X Layer, and shows about $29.3 billion in TVL. That figure reflects reserves attributed to the exchange, not funds locked in smart contracts.
8 features
Key features
01
Spot and Convert
Spot trading is offered alongside a Convert tool that the homepage describes as quick conversion with zero trading fees and no slippage.
02
Card crypto purchases
Users can buy crypto with Visa, Mastercard and other methods, and a crypto calculator shows real-time conversion rates.
03
AI trading tools
Agent Trade Kit, an AI Builder Program and Skills let users and developers build AI agents to automate trading strategies.
04
Advanced trading
RFQ supports custom multi-leg strategies and block trades. TradingView integration is also listed.
05
Earn products
The Grow section lists Earn and Onchain Earn, with USDG rewards mentioned.
06
Institutional suite
OKX Rubix, APIs, OKX Connect and historical market data are aimed at regulated and institutional users.
07
Security disclosures
The site links to Proof of Reserves, OKX Shield and a page on security of funds.
08
Web3, Pay and Card
A Web3 wallet, Pay and Card sit alongside the exchange, plus rewards such as deposit match, referral and a VIP program.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Wide product range: spot, derivatives, Earn, Web3 wallet, card and institutional services.
- Large asset base of about $29.3 billion tracked by DefiLlama across many chains.
- Publishes Proof of Reserves and security pages, and its US site lists an NMLS number.
- Convert tool is described as zero trading fees with no slippage.
- Tools for automated trading, including AI agents and an API.
Watch out for
- DefiLlama lists no audits for the exchange, and a centralized exchange cannot be checked on-chain the way a smart contract can.
- Funds are held in custody by the exchange, so users carry counterparty risk.
- Fee levels are not shown publicly, so cost comparisons require checking the published fee schedule.
- Product availability differs by region, and some features are marked as available only in selective regions.
- The range of products, including derivatives, Earn and Web3 tools, can overwhelm beginners.
- Sources disagree on the company's base: DefiLlama says Seychelles, Wikipedia says San Jose, California, and the US site lists a San Francisco address.
OKX fees
Fee details are not public. OKX links to a CEX fee schedule and a Fees page from its site, and that is where trading and withdrawal costs should be checked.
The homepage describes its Convert tool as having zero trading fees and no slippage. A VIP program and rewards are also listed, which suggests fees may vary by user tier, but the exact structure is not stated.
Is OKX safe?
OKX is custodial. Users must trust the exchange to hold and return their assets, and DefiLlama lists no audits. The site offers Proof of Reserves, OKX Shield and a security of funds page, and these should be read directly. The project does not describe any past incidents.
The US site shows an NMLS number and a San Francisco address, but the project does not describe its licences or regulatory status in other regions. Rules and product access vary by country, so check what applies to you. As with any exchange, enable two-factor authentication and avoid keeping more on the platform than you need.
6 steps
How to get started with OKX
- 1
Confirm that OKX and the products you want are available in your country or state.
- 2
Open the official site or app and sign up, then complete any identity checks it asks for.
- 3
Turn on security features such as two-factor authentication before depositing.
- 4
Read the fee schedule to understand trading and withdrawal costs.
- 5
Start with a small purchase using the Buy crypto or Convert tools.
- 6
Review the Proof of Reserves and security pages to understand how the exchange describes custody.
Who OKX is for
OKX is for people who want a single regulated-style exchange account covering buying, trading and earning, and for active traders or developers who use APIs, RFQ or AI agent tools. Beginners can use Buy and Convert, but the full product set is built for more experienced users. Anyone uncomfortable with custodial risk may prefer self-custody options.
OKX FAQs
What is OKX?
OKX is a centralized cryptocurrency exchange, formerly called OKEx. It offers spot and derivatives trading, crypto purchases by card, earn products and a Web3 wallet.
Is OKX safe?
The project does not give a safety verdict. OKX publishes Proof of Reserves and an OKX Shield page, and its US site lists an NMLS number. DefiLlama lists no audits, and as a centralized exchange it holds user funds, so counterparty risk remains.
Is OKX available in the United States?
Yes. OKX has a US-facing site that describes buying and trading BTC, ETH, XRP and more. Available products can vary by region, so check what is offered where you live.
What is the OKB token?
Public sources name OKB as the exchange's token. Its uses are not described, so check OKX's own documentation.
What are OKX's fees?
OKX links to a fee schedule from its site footer and services menu. Specific rates are not public here, so view that page before trading.
How do I buy crypto on OKX?
The homepage lists Visa, Mastercard and other payment methods under Buy crypto. Exact methods vary by region and are not detailed publicly.
Compare
OKX alternatives
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Guides
Guides about OKX
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BXH on OKX Chain After a Hack: Rebound, Risks and ChecksA hack on a small token can crash its price, and a rebound afterward doesn't mean the problem is over. This guide explains what happened in cases like BXH on OKX Chain, what drives a recovery, and how to check status and protect your funds yourself.
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How we checked
Sources
Last updated . Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.