Managing digital assets efficiently is crucial for traders and investors who want to maintain control, enhance security, and streamline operations across multiple accounts. One powerful feature offered by leading platforms is the sub-account system, which allows users to allocate funds across different trading environments—such as spot, margin, and futures—while keeping withdrawal privileges restricted to the main account.
This guide will walk you through how to transfer assets from your main account to a sub-account and how to deposit digital assets directly into a sub-account, covering both web and mobile app procedures. Whether you're managing team portfolios, separating investment strategies, or organizing funds for tax purposes, mastering sub-account functionality can significantly improve your crypto workflow.
Understanding Sub-Account Capabilities
Sub-accounts are designed to support various trading activities including spot trading, spot margin trading, futures trading, and standard sub-account deposits. However, for security reasons, withdrawals are not permitted from sub-accounts. If you need to withdraw funds, you must first transfer the assets back to your main account and initiate the withdrawal from there.
This structure ensures that even if a sub-account is compromised, your overall holdings remain protected within the main account.
👉 Learn how to securely manage multiple trading strategies with advanced sub-account controls.
Transferring Assets from Main Account to Sub-Account
You can easily move digital assets between your main account and sub-accounts using either the web platform or the mobile app. Below are step-by-step instructions for both.
On the Web Platform
- Log in to your main OKX account.
Navigate to the Sub-Accounts page and click on Fund Transfer, or go to Asset Management > My Assets > Fund Transfer > Sub-Account Transfer.
- Option 1: Click Fund Transfer directly on the sub-account dashboard.
- Option 2: Go to Assets Overview > Fund Transfer > Sub-Account Transfer.
- Select the target sub-account, choose the currency, and set the transfer direction: From Main Account → To Sub-Account.
- Enter the amount you wish to transfer.
- Click Confirm to complete the transfer.
The process is intuitive and typically completes instantly, allowing immediate use of funds in the sub-account for trading or staking.
On the Mobile App
- Log in to your OKX mobile app using your main account credentials.
- Tap Assets at the bottom of the screen, then select Fund Transfer.
- Tap the switch icon in the top-right corner to access the sub-account transfer interface.
- Choose the transfer direction (From → To), select the desired sub-account name, and pick the currency.
- Input the transfer amount, then tap Confirm.
You’ll receive a confirmation once the transfer is successful. The same interface allows reverse transfers—moving funds back to the main account—simply by switching the “From” and “To” fields.
💡 Tip: By adjusting the "From" and "To" selection, you can seamlessly move assets in both directions between your main and sub-accounts.
Depositing Digital Assets into a Sub-Account
While sub-accounts cannot initiate withdrawals, certain types—specifically standard sub-accounts—can receive direct deposits. This feature must be enabled by the main account holder.
Enabling Deposit Functionality for Sub-Accounts
The main account has full control over whether a sub-account can accept deposits. Once enabled, users logged into that sub-account can deposit cryptocurrencies just like they would from a main account.
Only standard sub-accounts support this functionality; trading sub-accounts used for isolated strategies do not.
After activation, follow these steps to deposit:
On the Web Platform
- Log in to or switch to your OKX sub-account.
- Go to Asset Management > My Assets > Deposit.
- Select the cryptocurrency you wish to deposit.
- Copy the generated deposit address or scan the QR code using your external wallet.
Ensure accuracy when sending funds—transfers to incorrect addresses are irreversible.
On the Mobile App
- Log in or switch to your OKX sub-account on the mobile app.
- Tap Assets, then select Deposit.
- Choose your preferred cryptocurrency.
- Use the provided address or QR code to complete the deposit from your wallet or another exchange.
Deposits usually reflect within minutes, depending on blockchain network congestion and confirmation times.
👉 Discover how direct sub-account deposits can simplify team-based crypto management.
Key Benefits of Using Sub-Accounts
Using sub-accounts isn't just about organization—it's a strategic tool for better financial control. Here’s why more users are adopting them:
- Role-based access: Assign sub-accounts to team members without exposing private keys or withdrawal rights.
- Strategy isolation: Separate trading styles (e.g., long-term holding vs. active futures trading) to track performance independently.
- Tax reporting ease: Maintain clean records for each account type, simplifying year-end accounting.
- Risk containment: Limit exposure by funding sub-accounts only with allocated capital.
These advantages make sub-accounts ideal for families, investment groups, and small businesses managing shared crypto portfolios.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I withdraw funds directly from a sub-account?
No. For security reasons, withdrawals are only allowed from the main account. You must first transfer funds from the sub-account back to the main account before initiating any withdrawal.
Which types of sub-accounts support direct deposits?
Only standard sub-accounts can be configured to accept direct deposits. Trading-focused sub-accounts (like those used for futures or margin) do not support this feature.
How many sub-accounts can I create?
You can create multiple sub-accounts under one main account, though specific limits may apply based on your verification level and usage tier. Check your account settings for exact numbers.
Is there a fee for transferring between main and sub-accounts?
No. Internal transfers between your main account and sub-accounts are free of charge and processed instantly.
Can I use API keys with sub-accounts?
Yes. Each sub-account can have its own API keys with customizable permissions (e.g., read-only, trading-only), enhancing automation and third-party integration while maintaining security.
Are deposits to sub-accounts secure?
Absolutely. Deposits follow the same high-security protocols as main accounts, including multi-signature wallets and cold storage solutions. Since no withdrawals are allowed from sub-accounts, deposited funds remain protected until manually transferred.
👉 Start using secure, flexible sub-accounts tailored to your trading needs today.
Final Thoughts
Effectively managing digital assets involves more than just buying and selling—it requires smart structuring, access control, and operational efficiency. The ability to transfer funds between main and sub-accounts and directly deposit into eligible sub-accounts empowers users with greater flexibility without compromising security.
By leveraging these tools wisely, traders and teams can achieve clearer financial tracking, reduce risk, and scale their crypto operations sustainably.
Whether you're an individual investor experimenting with different strategies or part of an organization managing pooled funds, mastering sub-account functionality is a key step toward professional-grade crypto management.
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