OKX Supported and Restricted Countries: A Global Access Map

Understanding where you can legally trade crypto matters more than most people think. OKX serves over 50 million users across 100+ countries, but access isn't universal. Some regions face full restrictions due to sanctions or local bans, while others get limited features because of licensing gaps. This guide breaks down exactly where OKX works, where it doesn't, and what regulatory framework keeps it all running.

What Countries Does OKX Restrict?

According to OKX's official Risk & Compliance Disclosure, the platform blocks users in more than twenty countries and regions. The reasons vary: international sanctions in some cases, outright crypto bans in others, and incomplete licensing in a few more.

Here's how the restricted locations break down:

High-sanctioned jurisdictions include Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Cuba. Global sanctions make it legally impossible to offer crypto or financial services in these areas, so OKX stays out entirely.

National crypto bans apply in Algeria, Bangladesh, Bolivia, and Nepal. Each country has decided at the central bank level that holding, using, or transacting with cryptocurrencies is illegal, leaving no room for platforms like OKX to operate.

Selective restriction markets cover Canada, El Salvador, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Uzbekistan. These aren't full bans, but OKX limits services due to licensing gaps or inconsistent local rules that make full-scale operation risky or non-compliant.

Conflict-affected regions such as Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk are restricted in line with international sanctions tied to disputed territories and ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

United States and its territories face a complete block. This includes Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands. Federal and state-level regulations prevent OKX from operating there under its main entity.

Beyond outright bans, OKX also limits certain products in countries where full service isn't possible. Australia, Brazil, South Korea, and the UK have restrictions on perpetual futures trading. The Bahamas caps retail trading access. Eritrea blocks P2P services. Russia limits fiat payment methods. These partial restrictions reflect local regulatory red lines that OKX can't cross without risking compliance.

OKX Supported Countries

OKX supports over 50 million users across more than 100 countries, making it one of the largest global crypto exchanges. The platform spans Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East, with strong adoption in both developed economies and emerging markets.

The exchange provides access to over 100 fiat currencies and more than 900 local payment methods for deposits and peer-to-peer trading. Popular supported fiats include USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, BRL, MXN, and VND, covering major global markets and regional trade hubs where people actually move money.

According to Similarweb, Japan accounts for 14.16% of platform traffic, followed by the United States at 13.88%, Brazil at 6.17%, Mexico at 5.73%, and Vietnam at 5.34%. The remaining 54.71% comes from other countries, showing a broad international user base rather than concentration in just a few regions.

If you're trying to figure out whether OKX works in your country, the easiest way is to check their official supported countries list or try registering with your local documents. The platform will either accept your verification or block it based on your jurisdiction.

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OKX Licensing and Regulation

OKX operates under a patchwork of licenses and registrations across global jurisdictions, reflecting its effort to meet local compliance requirements. These licenses cover markets in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East, with both active approvals and pending applications.

Here's the regulatory breakdown by region:

Seychelles: Licensed as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) through Aux Cayes FinTech Co. Ltd. This serves as the company's base registration for users in unregulated or lightly regulated markets.

United Arab Emirates: Holds a Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) VASP license in Dubai, though the company is still awaiting full operational approval for exchange services. This license signals OKX's intent to expand in the Middle East.

Hong Kong: Operating as OKX HK and in the final stages of securing a VASP license from the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). Once approved, this will unlock access to one of Asia's most important financial centers.

European Economic Area (EEA): OKCoin Europe Ltd, based in Malta, is passporting a MiCA license across all 30 EU/EEA states, enabling euro-denominated services. This is one of the most significant regulatory wins for OKX in recent years.

Australia: OKX Australia Pty Ltd and OKX Australia Financial Pty Ltd are registered with ASIC to provide compliant crypto exchange services. This covers spot trading and some limited derivatives access.

Singapore: OKX SG Pte. Ltd. holds a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license from MAS for digital payment token and money transfer services. Singapore's tight regulatory environment makes this license particularly valuable.

Bahamas: OKX Bahamas FinTech Company Limited was licensed by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) and previously serviced Mexican users before regulatory changes shifted operations.

United States: OKCoin USA Inc., registered with FinCEN and licensed at the state level as a Money Transmitter, operates the US platform under local law. This is a separate entity from the main OKX exchange.

Netherlands: Registered with De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) for crypto-to-fiat services, ensuring compliance with Dutch and EU anti-money laundering rules. This registration supports European operations alongside the Malta MiCA license.

These licenses don't guarantee identical service across all regions. Some licenses only cover spot trading, others include derivatives, and a few are limited to fiat on-ramps. The regulatory landscape is fragmented, and OKX adjusts its product offering to match what each jurisdiction allows.

Does OKX Require KYC?

Yes, OKX requires users to complete Know Your Customer (KYC) verification before accessing most trading and account features. Individual account holders must provide government-issued identification, personal details, and in many cases proof of address to meet compliance standards.

The KYC process includes uploading documents such as passports, driver's licenses, or national IDs along with a live selfie for verification. Applications are typically reviewed within 24 hours, after which users can fully trade, deposit, and withdraw funds on the platform.

There's no way around it. If you want to deposit fiat, trade derivatives, or withdraw more than a minimal amount, you'll need to verify your identity. This applies across all jurisdictions where OKX operates, though the specific documents required may vary slightly by country.

Can I Use OKX in the US?

Yes, US customers can access OKX through OKCoin USA Inc., a Delaware corporation licensed as a Money Services Business with FinCEN. It also holds state-level Money Transmitter licenses in dozens of jurisdictions, covering both token-to-token and USD-to-token transactions.

However, services are not available to residents of Kentucky, New York, Texas, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands. Customers in supported states can register, complete KYC, and trade within the scope of licenses approved by their local regulators.

The US platform operates separately from the main OKX exchange. This means you won't have access to the full range of tokens, derivatives, or features available on the international platform. The product set is narrower, the token list is shorter, and certain advanced trading tools aren't available due to regulatory constraints.

If you're in a supported state and want access to more features, the international platform isn't an option without violating terms of service. The platform uses IP detection and KYC checks to enforce geographic restrictions, so attempting to bypass these controls could result in account suspension.

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Is OKX Restricted in Europe?

OKX is not banned in Europe but operates under a regulated framework, most recently securing a MiCA license through its Malta hub. This license allows OKX to passport services across all 30 European Economic Area (EEA) member states under a unified set of rules.

From 30 December 2025, users in the EEA are also subject to the Travel Rule, requiring exchanges to collect sender and recipient details on crypto transfers. Deposits and withdrawals above €1,000 may require proof of wallet ownership, such as completing a Satoshi test for private wallets.

The MiCA license is a big deal because it provides regulatory clarity that didn't exist before. European users can now trade on OKX with the assurance that the platform meets EU standards for consumer protection, anti-money laundering, and operational transparency.

The Travel Rule adds a layer of friction to withdrawals, but it's not unique to OKX. Every regulated exchange operating in the EEA must comply with the same requirements, so users won't find a way around it by switching platforms.

About OKX

OKX, headquartered in San Jose, is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by daily trading volume. Founded in 2013 by Star Xu as Okcoin, the platform rebranded to OKX in 2017 to expand beyond exchange services into blockchain infrastructure.

The company offers a wide range of trading products, from instant crypto conversion and spot markets to derivatives such as futures and options. Users also have access to trading bots, copy trading, and institutional tools like RFQs and Nitro Spreads, alongside DeFi features, earning programs, and token launchpads.

OKX also posts monthly Proof of Reserves reports, which demonstrate a 1:1 backing of all customer assets. The most recent report in August 2025 verified $33.7 billion in primary assets across BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, XRP, DOGE, SOL, and OKB, reinforcing its transparency and security standards.

The platform's scale and feature set make it a strong choice for both retail and institutional users. Whether you're spot trading, running automated strategies, or accessing leveraged derivatives, OKX provides the infrastructure and liquidity to support serious trading activity across global markets.

Final Thoughts

OKX's global footprint reveals a sharp contrast between access and restriction. Over 100 countries enjoy full or partial service, while entire regions remain locked out by sanctions, local bans, or unfinished licensing.

This patchwork of permissions and exclusions isn't accidental. It directly mirrors the uneven progress and fragmented nature of crypto regulation worldwide. In many ways, the map of OKX access doubles as a map of global financial openness, reflecting which jurisdictions welcome digital assets and which still resist them. If you're in a supported region, OKX offers one of the most complete trading platforms available, with strong liquidity, regulatory compliance, and transparent reserve backing that few competitors can match.