How to Sign Up for OKX: Referral Code, Identity Verification and First Steps (2026)

Signing up for OKX works much like Binance: register with email or phone, enter a referral code, complete identity verification. The difference is that OKX keeps assets in a Funding account and a Trading account, and new users often can't find their deposit or can't place an order the first time. This guide covers registration, verification and the first deposit.

Before you start

1. Your region: OKX does not serve residents of restricted regions such as mainland China and the United States, and some regions are served by a local entity with different features. Check the restricted list in the OKX terms of use and follow local law.
2. ID: a valid national ID, passport or driving licence, and a phone that can do a face check.
3. Official site only: register from the official OKX website or app, and ignore "support" DMs.

Registration steps

1. Open the OKX sign-up page and choose email or phone.
2. Enter the referral code in the "Referral code (optional)" field. A referral link fills it in automatically; check it before submitting.
3. Set a password, enter the verification code, and finish registration.
4. Log in and start identity verification.

As with Binance, the referral relationship is normally set only at registration and usually can't be added afterwards.

Identity verification

1. Choose your country or region and enter your name and date of birth as on your ID.
2. Photograph or upload the ID — sharp, no glare, all four corners visible.
3. Complete the face check.
4. Wait for review, usually quick; if it fails, fix the stated reason and resubmit.

Fiat deposits, P2P, withdrawals and most campaigns including Jumpstart require verification.

Funding account vs Trading account

OKX holds your assets in two main places:

• Funding account: deposits, P2P purchases and withdrawals land here, and some campaigns such as Jumpstart may draw from it.
• Trading account: the balance used for spot and futures orders.

If an order says "insufficient balance" right after your first deposit, the funds are almost always still in the Funding account — make a transfer on the assets page. For futures, note the account mode (simple, single-currency margin, multi-currency margin and so on); beginners should start with the default.

Security settings to turn on first

• Authenticator 2FA, with the key backed up.
• Anti-phishing code to tell real emails from fake ones.
• Withdrawal address whitelist.
• Fund password, required for withdrawals and other sensitive actions.

What to do next

1. Buy USDT via P2P — see how to buy USDT with P2P.
2. Watch Jumpstart and trading competitions; how Jumpstart works is in the Jumpstart guide.
3. Learn the fee tiers in the OKX fees guide.
4. If you also use Binance, compare funding rates across both and see how to transfer from Binance to OKX.

FAQ

Where do I enter an OKX referral code?

In the "Referral code (optional)" field on the sign-up page. A referral link pre-fills it.

My deposit arrived but my trading balance is zero — why?

Deposits and P2P purchases go to the Funding account by default. Transfer them to the Trading account before placing orders.

Can I use OKX without verification?

Only a very limited set of features. Deposits, withdrawals and most campaigns require identity verification.