The world of digital assets and blockchain technology has evolved rapidly over the past decade, and few platforms have played as pivotal a role as OKX. Originally launched in 2017, OKX—formerly known as OKEx—has grown from a cryptocurrency exchange into a comprehensive Web3 ecosystem, offering cutting-edge financial products, decentralized tools, and global market expansion.
With a mission to "empower individual value" and a vision to "enable one billion people worldwide to own digital assets," OKX has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation in the crypto space.
Early Milestones: Laying the Foundation for Growth
In May 2017, OKX officially launched its digital asset trading platform, providing users with secure and reliable access to spot trading. Just four months later, in September 2017, the platform introduced futures contracts, positioning itself among the first global exchanges to offer cryptocurrency derivatives trading.
This early adoption of advanced trading instruments set the tone for OKX’s reputation as an innovator. By January 2018, the platform launched perpetual swap contracts, which quickly became one of the most popular crypto derivatives worldwide due to their flexibility and lack of expiry dates.
👉 Discover how perpetual swaps are revolutionizing crypto trading strategies today.
Further expanding its product suite, OKX added options trading in December 2018, giving traders more sophisticated tools for hedging and speculation. These developments cemented OKX's status as a leader in crypto derivatives innovation.
Strategic Relocation and Talent Development
In July 2018, OKX relocated its registration from Belize to Malta, a forward-thinking jurisdiction known for its progressive blockchain regulations. Establishing an office in Malta allowed OKX to attract top-tier talent and strengthen its compliance framework—key moves that supported long-term scalability and trust.
This strategic shift reflected OKX’s commitment to operating transparently within evolving global regulatory landscapes while maintaining technological leadership.
Expanding Financial Products: From Staking to Yield
Recognizing the growing demand for passive income solutions in crypto, OKX launched Yu Bibao (Savings Vault) on November 6, 2018. This flexible, no-lockup yield product enables users to earn interest on their idle crypto assets with instant liquidity—making it ideal for both new and experienced investors seeking low-barrier entry into decentralized finance (DeFi).
Yu Bibao exemplifies OKX’s user-centric approach: combining simplicity, security, and profitability in a single product.
Advancing Blockchain Infrastructure: The OEC Ecosystem
OKX has not only focused on trading but also on building foundational blockchain infrastructure. On February 10, 2020, the OKExChain (OEC) testnet went live, marking the beginning of OKX’s journey into decentralized ecosystems.
Later that year, in June 2020, OKX hosted its first Hackathon, inviting developers worldwide to build innovative applications on OEC. Top teams received rewards worth up to $5,000 in OKB, the native utility token of the OKX ecosystem—fostering community engagement and accelerating dApp development.
By January 15, 2021, the OEC mainnet was officially launched, enabling decentralized applications, cross-chain interoperability, and token issuance. This milestone positioned OEC as a competitive player in the Layer-1 blockchain space.
Education and Outreach: Making Blockchain Accessible
Understanding that widespread adoption depends on education, OKX partnered with Sina Finance in September 2019 to launch "OK Blockchain 60 Lessons", a video series designed for beginners. Covering core concepts across five modules—from blockchain basics to real-world applications—the series demystified complex topics for millions of viewers.
This initiative highlighted OKX’s dedication not just to technology, but to empowering users through knowledge—an essential step toward mainstream crypto literacy.
Rebranding and Global Vision
In February 2021, OKEx officially adopted its Chinese name "欧易" (Ōu Yì) and rebranded globally as OKX, signaling a new phase of international growth. With the updated mission of “making individual value more respected” and the ambitious goal of bringing digital assets to one billion people, OKX began accelerating its global footprint.
Despite temporary setbacks—such as the suspension of its Weibo account on March 11, 2021—the platform continued to innovate and expand beyond regional boundaries.
Embracing Web3: The Future of Decentralized Identity
In June 2022, OKX unveiled its Web3 wallet, a powerful multi-chain tool integrating asset management, DApp interaction, and NFT trading. Designed for both casual users and advanced developers, the wallet supports seamless access across blockchains, enhancing user control and privacy.
This move aligned with the broader industry shift toward self-custody and decentralized identity—core tenets of Web3.
👉 See how the OKX Web3 wallet is simplifying multi-chain experiences for users worldwide.
Global Expansion and Market Leadership in 2024
By 2024, OKX had intensified its global presence, launching localized operations in Brazil, Singapore, UAE, Turkey, Netherlands, Belgium, and Australia. These regional hubs feature local teams focused on market development, regulatory engagement, and customer support—ensuring culturally relevant and accessible services.
One standout achievement came in April 2024: according to data from GeniiData, OKX’s Web3 wallet captured 51.08% of daily Bitcoin Runes transactions since early April. Runes, a new protocol for issuing fungible tokens on Bitcoin, is emerging alongside Ordinals and BRC-20 as a cornerstone of Bitcoin-based DeFi.
This dominance underscores OKX’s technical agility and leadership in next-generation Bitcoin ecosystems.
Strategic Partnerships: Bridging Crypto and Traditional Finance
On April 28, 2025, Mastercard announced a new stablecoin payment feature powered by partnerships with OKX and Nuvei. This integration aims to bring stablecoins into traditional payment workflows—potentially enabling faster, cheaper cross-border transactions at scale.
Such collaborations represent a major step toward mainstream financial convergence, where digital assets become seamlessly usable in everyday commerce.
👉 Learn how stablecoin integrations are shaping the future of global payments.
Recognized Excellence: Industry Accolades
OKX’s consistent innovation has earned widespread recognition:
- November 2018: Named “Cryptocurrency Exchange of the Year” at the Malta Blockchain Summit
- August 2019: Ranked #1 on Sina Weibo’s “Blockchain Influence List” for finance accounts
- December 2019: Awarded “Best-Performing Mining Pool” and “Most Innovative Staking Pool” by Jinse Finance
- January 2020: Honored as “Best Financial Services Platform” at DeepChain Awards
These accolades reflect not only technical excellence but also strong community trust and brand influence.
Core Keywords
- OKX
- Cryptocurrency Exchange
- Web3 Wallet
- Bitcoin Runes
- Stablecoin Integration
- Perpetual Swap
- OEC Blockchain
- Digital Asset Trading
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is OKX?
A: OKX is a leading digital asset exchange offering spot trading, derivatives (like futures and perpetual swaps), DeFi services, Web3 tools, and blockchain infrastructure like the OEC network.
Q: Is OKX available globally?
A: Yes. As of 2024, OKX operates localized services in key markets including Singapore, UAE, Brazil, Australia, and parts of Europe—adhering to regional regulations.
Q: Does OKX offer a Web3 wallet?
A: Yes. The OKX Web3 wallet supports multi-chain asset management, DApp browsing, NFT trading, and interaction with decentralized protocols like Bitcoin Runes.
Q: What are Bitcoin Runes?
A: Runes is a protocol for creating fungible tokens on the Bitcoin blockchain. It complements other inscriptions like Ordinals and BRC-20, expanding Bitcoin’s utility beyond simple transfers.
Q: How does OKX support crypto education?
A: Through initiatives like “OK Blockchain 60 Lessons,” OKX provides beginner-friendly educational content to promote blockchain literacy among non-technical audiences.
Q: Is OKB used only on the exchange?
A: No. While OKB began as an exchange utility token, it now powers transactions across OEC dApps, pays for gas fees, and serves as governance or reward mechanisms in various Web3 projects.