A large global crypto exchange, operating since 2017
Income earned on an overseas exchange is still taxable, and holdings above certain thresholds can trigger foreign account reporting duties. Sorting out the tax side before you start trading is far easier than doing it afterwards.
OKX is a global crypto exchange that started in 2017 as OKEx and took its current name in 2022. It offers spot trading, derivatives such as futures, perpetual swaps and options, and Earn products for putting coins to work, and it also runs a Web3 wallet in which you hold the keys yourself, separate from the exchange account. As an overseas exchange it cannot take Korean won directly, so Korean users usually buy a coin such as USDT or XRP on a domestic exchange and send it to their OKX deposit address. This page is not run by OKX; it is an independent guide to what to know before signing up.
Creating the account takes a few minutes, but to actually deposit and trade you need to finish identity verification and security setup as well. The order is roughly as below; screens and steps can change with OKX policy.
Signing up through a referral link can apply benefits under whatever referral programme the exchange runs at the time. The exact benefit and its conditions change with exchange policy, so check what is shown on the sign-up screen itself. This site may earn a commission on sign-ups through the link.
No. As an overseas exchange it cannot accept KRW directly. People usually buy a coin such as USDT or XRP on a domestic exchange and send it to their OKX deposit address โ double-check that the address and network match.
The biggest difference is KRW in and out. A domestic exchange takes won directly through a verified bank account, while an overseas one needs you to transfer crypto in. In exchange, the range of listed assets and derivatives is usually wider.
Fees depend on your volume, account tier and the product, and the policy changes often. Rather than memorising a number, get into the habit of checking the official fee page before you trade.
Assets in the exchange account are held by the exchange; in the Web3 wallet you hold them yourself through a seed phrase. With self-custody nobody can recover the funds if you lose the seed phrase, so write it down and keep it safely offline.
This guide is general information, not investment advice. This site is not operated by OKX. Features, fees and available regions can change โ check the official site for current details.