Before you even click the “Sign Up” button, having your documents ready will make the entire process, especially verification, seamless and fast. Here’s what you need:

1. A Secure Email Address: Use a dedicated email, preferably not your primary personal or work email. Consider services like ProtonMail or Tutanota for enhanced privacy.
2. A Strong, Unique Password: Create a complex password using a combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Never reuse passwords from other sites. A password manager is highly recommended.
3. Government-Issued Photo ID: OKX typically accepts:
   • Passport (highly recommended for international users)
   • National ID Card
   • Driver’s License
   • Ensure the document is valid, not expired, and all details are clearly visible.
4. A Smartphone: You will need it for SMS verification and setting up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
5. Stable Internet Connection: A poor connection during the live photo verification can cause failures and delays.
6. A Well-Lit Environment: For the facial verification step, ensure you are in a room with good, even lighting on your face, with no strong backlight.

⚠️ Risk Warning: Using fake or borrowed documents for verification is strictly prohibited and will result in a permanent ban from the platform. It may also have legal consequences. Always use your own, legitimate documents.

This is the most crucial step for securing long-term benefits. Follow this sequence carefully.

1. Navigate to the Official OKX Registration Page. Always double-check the URL to avoid phishing sites. The correct URL is okx.com.
2. Click “Sign Up”. You will be prompted to enter your email and create a password.
3. The Pivotal Referral Code Field. During the sign-up flow, you must locate the field labeled “Referral Code” or “Invitation Code”. This is non-negotiable for claiming your benefits.
4. Enter the Code. In this field, you will input: BTC45
5. Complete the Basic Sign-Up. Verify your email via the link sent to your inbox and complete the initial account setup.

Why This Step is Non-Negotiable: Binding a referral code at registration is a one-time event. It permanently links your account to a 20% trading fee discount and makes you eligible for the newcomer reward pack. If you skip this step, you cannot add it later and you will forfeit these permanent benefits.

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To withdraw funds and access the full suite of trading products, you must complete “Know Your Customer” (KYC) verification.

1. Log into your new OKX account and navigate to “Verification” in your account settings.
2. Select Your Country/Region and Document Type. Choose the ID you prepared earlier.
3. Submit Document Photos. You will be asked to upload photos of the front and back of your ID. Ensure all four corners are visible and text is legible.
4. Facial Recognition/Liveness Check. The app will guide you through a short video selfie. Follow the on-screen instructions (e.g., blink, turn your head). Perform this in the well-lit environment you prepared.
5. Wait for Approval. Verification can take from a few minutes to several hours. You will receive a notification upon completion.

⚠️ Risk Warning: Withdrawal limits and access to peer-to-peer (P2P) trading are directly tied to your verification level. Trading with an unverified account carries significant limitations and risks, as you cannot move assets off the exchange.

With verification complete, it’s time to claim your rewards and learn the layout.

1. Locate the Rewards/Activity Center. This is often a banner on the homepage or a tab labeled “Earn,” “Rewards,” or “Activities.”
2. Find the “Newcomer Pack” or “Welcome Bonus.” This typically contains a mix of:
   • Fee Discount Vouchers: For your first few trades.
   • Trial Funds: For trying out margin or futures trading (use with extreme caution!).
   • Airdrop or Learning Rewards: Small amounts of crypto for completing educational modules.
3. Claim Each Reward. Follow the prompts to activate each part of the pack.
4. Familiarize Yourself with Key Sections:
   • Buy Crypto: For fiat on-ramping (using credit card or bank transfer).
   • Spot Trading: The basic buy/sell market.
   • Assets: Your wallet overview.
   • Security Center: Where you will set up 2FA.

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Security is your responsibility. Do not skip these steps before depositing any funds.

1. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA):
   • Go to Security Center.
   • Choose Google Authenticator (preferred) or SMS Authentication.
   • Scan the QR code with an app like Google Authenticator or Authy and save the backup codes in a secure, offline location.
2. Set Anti-Phishing Code: This unique word/phrase will appear in all genuine OKX emails, helping you identify phishing attempts.
3. Whitelist Withdrawal Addresses (Optional but Recommended): This adds a 24-hour delay and requires re-verification for any new withdrawal address, blocking hackers.
4. Making Your First Secure Trade:
   • Deposit a small amount of crypto or fiat to test the process.
   • Navigate to Spot Trading.
   • Select a trading pair (e.g., BTC/USDT).
   • Place a Limit Order (not a Market Order for your first trade) to have full control over the price you pay.
   • Enter the amount and execute the trade.

[!CAUTION] Final Critical Warnings: 1) Never invest more than you can afford to lose. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile. 2) “Not your keys, not your coins.” For significant holdings, consider moving assets to a private hardware wallet. Exchanges are for trading, not long-term storage. 3) Be wary of “guaranteed profits” schemes or individuals offering to manage your funds. You are your own bank.