OKX (formerly OKEx) is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 ecosystem platform, founded in 2017 and headquartered in Seychelles, with particular strength in Asian markets. OKX is the second-largest derivatives exchange globally (after Binance) by open interest, offering spot trading, perpetual and quarterly futures, options, DeFi earning, and an NFT marketplace. The OKX Wallet has become a major competitor to MetaMask, supporting 80+ blockchains with built-in DEX aggregation and becoming especially popular among multi-chain traders. OKB (OKX Token) provides fee discounts and governance. A major differentiator: OKX provides real-time proof of reserves with Merkle tree verification, allowing any user to cryptographically verify their assets are fully backed – a transparency standard that became important after FTX collapse. The exchange was rebranded from OKEx in 2022 after a 2020 incident where withdrawals were suspended for a month. OKX has since expanded its regulated presence globally, including MiCA licensing in Europe. OKX Web3 wallet and OKX DEX offer a comprehensive self-custody ecosystem alongside the centralised exchange.
Example: Example: A derivatives trader wants to trade Bitcoin quarterly futures (settled in BTC at expiry – unlike perpetuals which never expire). OKX offers the deepest quarterly futures market outside traditional finance. The trader opens a BTC quarterly long, hedging spot BTC holdings against short-term volatility while maintaining full BTC exposure at quarterly expiry.
Learn more: OKX Exchange
