Navigating a cryptocurrency exchange for the first time can be overwhelming—but with the right guidance, it becomes a seamless experience. This comprehensive OKX beginner’s guide walks you through every critical step: from secure account setup and identity verification to buying USDT with CNY, trading DOGE, and earning passive income. Whether you're new to digital assets or transitioning from another platform, this tutorial ensures you avoid common pitfalls and maximize efficiency.
Step 1: Create Your OKX Account & Complete Identity Verification
Starting on OKX begins with registration and identity verification—two essential steps for security and access to advanced features.
To begin, visit the official OKX website and tap [Register] in the top-right corner. Select your country or region (e.g., China), agree to the terms, and proceed. Enter your email address and use a trusted referral code to unlock potential fee discounts. A 6-digit verification code will be sent to your inbox—enter it promptly to continue.
Next, bind your mobile number. While this step is mandatory for fund operations like deposits and withdrawals, remember: the phone number is used solely for two-factor authentication (2FA) and alerts. It does not grant third-party access or expose your funds. Even if you receive suspicious messages referencing your number, stay calm—OKX will never initiate contact via SMS for sensitive actions.
After binding your number, proceed to identity verification. OKX offers multiple levels, but we strongly recommend completing video verification—a Level 3 authentication process. Verified users gain access to premium C2C trading partners who prioritize secure, high-volume traders. This means better pricing, faster settlements, and enhanced trading flexibility.
👉 Get started securely on a trusted crypto platform today.
Step 2: Add Your CNY Payment Methods
Once verified, set up your CNY收款方式 (CNY payment methods) under the C2C Buy section. Navigate to your profile by tapping the top-right icon, then select Add Payment Method.
Since you’re using a Chinese ID for KYC, you can only transact in Chinese Yuan (CNY). You may link:
- A personal bank card
- Alipay account
- WeChat Pay account
When adding Alipay or WeChat, upload your personal QR code for receiving payments—not your profile picture or payment link. This ensures buyers can verify the transaction source during C2C trades.
Ensure all information matches your real-name registration exactly. Mismatches can lead to failed transactions or frozen funds.
Step 3: Buy USDT Using CNY via C2C
Now that your payment methods are ready, go to Buy Crypto > Quick Buy to purchase USDT with CNY.
For beginners, we suggest avoiding verified orders, which require submitting bank statements or video proof of payment activity—time-consuming and privacy-sensitive. Instead, use the C2C marketplace where you manually select trusted sellers.
Here’s how:
- Go to C2C Buy.
- Enter the amount of CNY you wish to spend.
Filter sellers by:
- High trade volume (e.g., 10,000+ completed orders)
- 99%+ positive feedback
- Registration date over a year old
- Average payment time under 3 minutes
Avoid sellers with short histories or those requesting transfers from non-KYC-verified accounts (like family members’ bank accounts).
Also, limit single transfers to under ¥50,000 to avoid triggering anti-money laundering (AML) flags from banks or payment platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay.
When you find a reliable seller (e.g., “Qingfeng Trading” with 36,000+ trades), click Buy USDT, confirm the rate (e.g., ¥1,000 = 135.13 USDT), and complete the payment using your registered method.
After transferring funds, click I Have Paid, and wait for the seller to release your USDT. Always verify receipt in your wallet before confirming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use someone else’s bank account to buy crypto on OKX?
A: No. Always use your own real-name verified account. Transactions from third-party accounts may be rejected by sellers due to fraud risks.
Q: What happens if I send money but don’t receive USDT?
A: Immediately open a dispute through OKX’s C2C support system. Provide payment proof. The platform mediates fairly between parties.
Q: Why is video verification important?
A: It unlocks higher trading limits and access to top-tier C2C merchants who prefer dealing with fully verified users.
Step 4: Deposit Cryptocurrency Safely
If you already hold crypto on another exchange or wallet, deposit it into OKX securely.
Go to Assets > Deposit, select the token (e.g., USDT), and choose the correct network. For low fees and fast transfers, TRC20 (Tron network) is ideal for USDT.
⚠️ Critical: Always match networks. Sending ERC20 USDT to a TRC20 address results in permanent loss.
For tokens like XRP or EOS, additional fields like Tag or Memo are required. These act as destination identifiers—omitting them risks lost funds.
Once confirmed on-chain, your balance will update in minutes.
Step 5: Trade DOGE with Confidence
Ready to trade? Head to Trade > Spot and search for DOGE/USDT.
You have two main order types:
- Limit Order: Set your desired price. Your order enters the order book and executes when market price reaches it.
- Market Order: Instant execution at the best available price—ideal for urgent trades.
Suppose DOGE is trading between $0.1657 and $0.1658. With a limit order at $0.16575, you become a liquidity provider, potentially getting filled at a favorable rate.
Use Stop-Loss & Take-Profit Orders Wisely
Protect your investment with automated exit strategies:
- Take-Profit: Sell when price hits a target (e.g., $0.17).
- Stop-Loss: Minimize losses if price drops (e.g., below $0.16).
Set both under Sell > Dual Orders. Enable “Max” quantity to apply to your entire position.
These orders appear as red lines on the chart—selling automatically if triggered. You can cancel them anytime before execution.
👉 Start trading smart with advanced tools designed for every level.
Step 6: Cash Out Your Crypto (Sell & Withdraw)
To convert USDT back to CNY:
- Transfer funds from Trading Account → Funding Account via Assets > Transfer.
- Go to Buy Crypto > C2C, switch to Sell USDT.
- Choose your preferred payment method and amount.
- Filter buyers by reputation: high volume, long registration history, fast payment times (<3 min).
Avoid new traders—even if their price seems better. Security trumps slight gains.
After selecting a buyer (e.g., “Qian Kunkun” with 2+ years of history), enter the USDT amount (e.g., 50 USDT ≈ ¥365.5). Confirm and wait for payment.
❗ Do not trust SMS alerts alone. Check your bank or Alipay balance directly before clicking Confirm Receipt.
Only release USDT after verifying actual fund arrival.
Step 7: Earn Passive Income with Simple Earn
Explore Finance > Simple Earn to grow your holdings without active trading.
Choose between:
- Flexible Savings: Instant liquidity; earn daily interest on stablecoins like USDT/USDC.
- Fixed-Term Products: Higher APY in exchange for locking assets.
💡 Pro Tip: Stick to USD-pegged stablecoins for low risk. Earning ETH interest won’t help if ETH’s price drops 30%.
New users often see promotional rates like “up to 10% annual yield for 180 days.” Be aware: this is annualized, meaning you’ll earn roughly 5% over six months—not 10%.
Always read terms carefully.
👉 Discover how to make your crypto work for you effortlessly.
Final Thoughts
Mastering OKX doesn’t require expertise—just attention to detail. From secure registration and smart trading to safe withdrawals and passive earning, each step builds confidence and control over your digital assets.
By following best practices—using real-name accounts, verifying identities, choosing reputable traders, and leveraging automation—you minimize risk and optimize returns in today’s dynamic crypto landscape.