Origins and founder
OKX’s exchange history is commonly traced to the launch of OKEx in 2017 and entrepreneur Star Xu (Xu Mingxing). A 2020 Digital Asset Research exchange profile identifies Xu as founder and gives 2017 as the founding year.
The OKCoin business and the later OKEx exchange are related parts of a wider history, but their launch dates should not be treated as interchangeable.
Trading and derivatives
OKEx developed as a centralized trading venue offering spot markets and derivatives. These product categories work differently: spot involves trading the underlying asset, while derivatives refer to contracts and can carry leverage-related risks.
The products available to any particular account depend on the exchange’s rules and the applicable jurisdiction.
The move from OKEx to OKX
In 2022, OKEx rebranded to OKX. The company described the change as reflecting an ambition beyond a centralized exchange, including self-custody wallet, decentralized application, and blockchain-related products.
Exchange accounts and self-custody wallets involve different responsibilities and risks. Users should understand which service they are using before moving assets.
Sources
- Digital Asset Research: OKEx exchange profile (opens in a new tab)
- OKX: OKEx rebrand announcement (opens in a new tab)
- OKX: Leadership and rebrand context (opens in a new tab)
