OKX (formerly OKEx) Overview

OKX is headquartered in the United States, San Jose, California, and is legally incorporated in the Seychelles. Its founder is the Chinese entrepreneur Star Xu (徐明星). The platform was originally launched in Beijing in 2013 and exited the mainland‑China market in 2021.

Is OKX a Chinese company? Who founded it? How can you download and install the app? How do you trade on the exchange?

These questions reflect users’ concerns about the platform’s regulatory compliance, asset security, and policy risk. As global cryptocurrency regulation tightens, an exchange’s place of registration, the background of its management, and its compliance pathway directly affect the liquidity and usability of users’ assets.

Below, the Bitaigen editorial team provides a systematic introduction to OKX’s ownership, founder information, and a complete step‑by‑step usage guide.

This article outlines the true ownership of OKX, the founder’s background, and the full process from download to KYC verification and USDT deposit. Our objective analysis of compliance helps you make a more stable decision in an increasingly regulated environment. Please continue reading for the details.

Is OKX a Chinese Company?

OKX originated in China but has since become an international cryptocurrency exchange. Its headquarters are now in San Jose, California, while the primary legal entities are registered in offshore jurisdictions such as the Seychelles. The official statement is that the platform no longer provides services to mainland‑China users. According to China’s 2026 “Eight‑Department Circular No. 42,” using OKX from within mainland China is considered a violation and may lead to account freezing and fund risk.

• Founder: Star Xu (徐明星), a Chinese national born in 1985 in Jiangsu Province. He was an early pioneer of blockchain in China and previously founded OKCoin, one of OKX’s predecessor platforms.
• Founding date and origin: The brand officially launched as OKEx in 2017 and later rebranded to OKX. Its roots trace back to OKCoin, which was created in Beijing in 2013. The early team and technology were closely tied to China, which is why the exchange is often described as having a “Chinese background.”
• Current headquarters / registration: The corporate headquarters have moved to San Jose, California, while the operating entities are mainly registered in the Seychelles. OKX also maintains significant presences in Singapore, Malta, and other financial hubs. Starting in 2025, a regional headquarters was established in the United States to support its expansion into the American market.
• Relationship with mainland China: In October 2021 the exchange announced its withdrawal from the mainland market. The website and mobile apps are no longer directly accessible from Chinese IP addresses, and the platform does not accept mainland phone numbers for registration.
• Global footprint: OKX operates subsidiaries or holds licences in Dubai, Singapore, Turkey, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil, and other jurisdictions (e.g., a VASP licence in Dubai and an Australian AFS licence). Its services cover more than 200 countries and regions, positioning the exchange as an international platform that emphasizes regulatory compliance and local adaptation.

Why do many people still think it is “Chinese”?

• The founder is Chinese and the original company was launched in China.
• The Chinese brand name “欧易” (OKX) and a user‑interface that is friendly to Mandarin speakers.
• Legally and operationally, the exchange has completely severed ties with the mainland market and now functions as an offshore entity outside Chinese jurisdiction.

Who Is the Founder of OKX?

The predecessor of OKX, OKCoin, was founded by Star Xu in 2013 in Beijing. Xu graduated from Renmin University of China and worked in technical roles at Yahoo and Douban before turning to the Bitcoin industry, where he quickly became one of the most influential figures in China’s early crypto scene. Public records indicate that OKX’s senior management team has become internationally diversified, yet Xu is still regarded as one of the platform’s ultimate controlling persons.

OKX Official Website

If you have not yet created an OKX account, you can register and download the official app (Android + iOS) through the links below. The following tutorial records the author’s hands‑on experience during registration, helping you complete download, installation, verification, and usage smoothly.

• OKX referral code: `jbzj999` (using the code grants a permanent 20 % trading‑fee discount)
• Official website: https://www.bitaigen.com/binance
• Official app download page: https://www.bitaigen.com/binance/download

Note for U.S. residents: To comply with U.S. regulations, American users should use Binance.US rather than the global Binance platform when accessing any Binance‑related services.

Fiat deposits: When depositing fiat currency, OKX generally supports USD transfers via SEPA or SWIFT, depending on the selected banking corridor.

Tax disclaimer: Cryptocurrency gains may be taxable under the laws of your local jurisdiction. Users should consult a qualified tax professional for advice.

Registering an OKX Account

1. Visit the OKX website or open the app (use the official registration link https://www.bitaigen.com/binance or the official download link https://www.bitaigen.com/binance/download) and click “Sign Up Now.” Using the recommended link helps ensure you land on a legitimate page and may provide fee‑reduction benefits.

1. On the registration page, select your region. Directly choose “China …

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Related Reading

• Top Crypto Exchange Apps: Binance & OKX Registration Guide
• OKX: Leading Crypto Exchange for Chinese Users in 2026
• Bitcoin Futures Trading Guide: Long & Short on Binance

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