OKX Exchange
OKX
OKX is among the most regulated exchanges in Europe, holding MiCA, MiFID II and PI licences, with over 350 spot assets and monthly Proof of Reserves. Its limitations are unavailability to US retail and its regulatory record: in February 2025 subsidiary Aux Cayes pleaded guilty in a US DOJ settlement (~$505M in penalties and forfeiture for operating as an unlicensed money transmitter), against a now compliance-first stance.
Worth it if you want the most regulated exchange in Europe, with MiCA, MiFID II and monthly proof-of-reserves.
Avoid it if you’re a US retail user (excluded) or the 2025 DOJ fine is a dealbreaker.
Data & conditions
| Maker / Taker fee | 0.08% / 0.1% |
|---|---|
| Markets | Spot + Derivatives |
| Max leverage | 100× |
| Supported assets | 350+ |
| Fiat on-ramp | Yes |
| Staking / Earn | OKX Earn: flexible savings, fixed terms, dual investment, Snowball. ETH staking, liquid staking. APY stablecoins 4-6% (flessibile), asset major 3-7%. Restaking EigenLayer Q2 2026. |
| Fund custody | Custodial (platform holds funds) |
| KYC | Full |
| Supported countries | EEA, APAC, LATAM, MENA · 60+ countries |
| Regulator | VARA, MAS, ASIC, FinCEN, EU MiCA |
| OAM Italy registration | Yes |
| Segment | B2C |
| MiCA / License status | VASP + MiCA |
Plans & pricing
Strengths
- Most regulated exchange in the EU: MiCA + MiFID II + PI; 350+ spot; monthly PoR.
- No notable sovereignty advantage documented.
Weaknesses
- Not available for retail USA; fine DOJ 2025.
- Custodial: the platform holds your funds and can freeze or lose them.
- Full KYC required: verified identity, zero pseudonymity.
Verdict
The high rating rewards one of the strongest regulatory profiles in Europe: MiCA, MiFID II and PI licences, 350+ spot assets, monthly Proof of Reserves and 0.10% fees. What holds the score back is the record — the February 2025 US DOJ settlement (~$505M for operating as an unlicensed money transmitter) — plus unavailability to US retail: the stance today is compliance-first, but the past must be priced in.
The dense web of licences, a strength on protection, on this lens signals the opposite: custodial, full KYC, a privacy score of 3, with funds and identity fully intermediated. Monthly Proof of Reserves adds transparency but not self-custody, and the heavy AML history shows how embedded the service is in the regulatory system, not resistant to it.
Promp's editorial rating based on real fees and net annual cost. Promp reviews third-party products independently.
"Sovereignty" rating: score computed on privacy/anonymity (30%), fund control (20%), censorship resistance (20%), trustless/auditability (20%) and costs (10%). Same data, different weights.
FAQ
What are OKX Exchange's fees?
On OKX Exchange, spot fees are maker 0.08% / taker 0.1%. They drop with monthly volume and VIP tier.
Is OKX Exchange regulated in Europe?
OKX Exchange is MiCA-compliant. It is listed in the Italian OAM register. Licence: VASP + MiCA.
Does OKX Exchange publish Proof of Reserves?
OKX Exchange publishes Proof of Reserves. No third-party reserve audit is documented. Reserve transparency is a critical factor after the FTX collapse.
Can I send transfers to third-party IBANs from OKX Exchange?
No, OKX Exchange is an exchange and does not allow transfers to third-party IBANs: fiat withdrawals return to a bank account in your own name.
Does OKX Exchange support derivatives and futures?
OKX Exchange offers derivatives trading, with up to 100x leverage.
Sources
- Official service page Maker/taker fees · Regulatory framework · Derivatives · Founders · +11 Data verified on Jun 13, 2026
- justice.gov Legal name Data verified on Jul 10, 2026
- architectpartners.com Latest funding round Data verified on Jun 15, 2026
- coindesk.com Valuation Data verified on Jun 15, 2026
Show 2 more sources
- en.wikipedia.org Company type · Corporate site · Stock ticker · Stock listing · +1 Data verified on Jun 15, 2026
- ir.theice.com Investors Data verified on Jun 15, 2026
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