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What Is OKB?

OKB is the utility token of OKX, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world. Originally launched in 2018 as an ERC-20 token on Ethereum, OKB now also serves as the gas token of X Layer, OKX's Ethereum Layer 2 network built using Polygon's CDK and zk-rollup technology. OKB powers a wide range of benefits across the OKX ecosystem, including trading fee discounts, launchpad participation, voting on listings, and access to special promotions.

OKX (originally OKEx) was founded in 2017 by Star Xu, who also founded the predecessor exchange OKCoin. The exchange has grown into a global platform offering spot trading, derivatives, options, copy trading, a Web3 wallet, and a broad set of DeFi and on-chain products. OKB was introduced in 2018 to give active OKX users a unified utility asset that could capture value as the platform grew. OKB has gone through several upgrades over the years, including the 2021 launch of OKT Chain (its original sidechain) and the more recent rollout of X Layer.

The original OKB total supply was 300 million tokens. A core feature of OKB is its buyback-and-burn program, in which OKX uses 30% of the trading fee revenue from spot markets to repurchase OKB and permanently destroy it. This burn occurs on a recurring quarterly schedule and has steadily reduced the circulating supply since 2019. In 2023, OKX additionally burned all OKB held by the team and unallocated tokens, locking in a smaller fully diluted supply going forward.

OKB holders enjoy several benefits on the OKX platform. Trading fee discounts scale with OKB holdings, with larger balances unlocking lower maker and taker fees. OKB is the primary asset used in OKX Jumpstart, the exchange's launchpad for new tokens, where holders can subscribe to upcoming offerings. Some structured products, savings programs, and promotional campaigns are gated to OKB holders. Within X Layer, OKB plays the role of native gas, paying transaction fees the same way ETH does on Ethereum or BNB does on BNB Chain.

X Layer is OKX's flagship on-chain initiative. It is a zkEVM Layer 2 built on Polygon's CDK that uses ETH for security via Ethereum data availability while denominating gas in OKB. The chain targets the same use cases as other major Layer 2s (low-fee DeFi, on-chain trading, NFTs, and consumer applications) but with deep integration into OKX's exchange and wallet products. The X Layer ecosystem includes major DeFi protocols deployed natively or via bridges and a growing set of consumer-focused applications.

OKB sits in the broader category of "exchange tokens" alongside BNB, OKB, BGB, KCS, and similar assets. Like its peers, OKB's value is closely correlated with the underlying exchange's competitive position, trading volumes, and revenue. OKB's distinguishing features are its multi-chain footprint (Ethereum and X Layer), its ongoing burn program, and its role as the gas asset of a fully-fledged zkEVM Layer 2.

OKX itself has invested heavily in compliance and global expansion, securing licenses or registrations in multiple jurisdictions, although it has also withdrawn from some markets due to regulatory constraints. In February 2025, OKX reached a settlement with the US Department of Justice, paying approximately $505 million to resolve charges related to operating an unlicensed money transmitting business in the United States. The settlement was a significant moment for the company and informed its subsequent compliance and US market re-engagement efforts. OKB holders should follow OKX's regulatory positioning closely, since significant changes to the exchange's market access can directly affect OKB's utility and demand.

Getting Started With OKB

The easiest way to use OKB is through the OKX exchange and wallet:

  1. Step 1: Create and verify an OKX account.
  2. Step 2: Acquire OKB on OKX directly with fiat or by trading other crypto for it.
  3. Step 3: Hold OKB in your OKX account to qualify for trading fee discounts and Jumpstart launchpad eligibility.
  4. Step 4: Optionally bridge OKB to X Layer through the official bridge to use it as gas for transactions on the OKX-affiliated Layer 2.
  5. Step 5: Withdraw OKB to a self-custody wallet for long-term holding when you are not actively trading.

If you primarily want OKB for X Layer activity, you can also bridge in via the OKX Web3 wallet, which integrates X Layer natively.

How to Get an OKB Wallet?

OKB exists as an ERC-20 token on Ethereum and as the native gas token of X Layer. The wallet you choose depends on which version you hold:

OKX Web3 Wallet

The OKX Web3 Wallet is a self-custody wallet built by OKX itself, with first-class support for X Layer, Ethereum, and many other chains. It is the most natural option for users who actively interact with OKB across both centralized and on-chain venues.

MetaMask

MetaMask supports OKB on Ethereum out of the box and can be configured for X Layer by adding it as a custom network. It is widely used for moving OKB between exchanges and DeFi.

Hardware Wallets

Ledger hardware wallets support OKB on Ethereum and X Layer through integrations with the OKX Web3 wallet, MetaMask, or Rabby. Hardware wallets are recommended for larger long-term holdings.

OKX Account Wallet

Holding OKB in your OKX account is required to access trading fee discounts, Jumpstart eligibility, and other platform benefits. Many users keep a portion of their OKB on OKX for utility and a portion in self-custody for long-term storage.

OKB Resources

How to Buy OKB?

OKB has its deepest liquidity on OKX, with secondary listings on a smaller number of other venues:

OKX

The most direct way to buy OKB is on OKX itself. Trading pairs include OKB/USDT, OKB/USDC, and OKB against other major assets. OKX also supports direct fiat-to-OKB purchases in many regions.

Other Centralized Exchanges

OKB is listed on additional centralized exchanges including Gate.io, HTX, and others. Liquidity outside OKX is generally thinner, so be mindful of spreads and order book depth.

Decentralized Exchanges

Because OKB is an ERC-20 token, it can be swapped on Ethereum DEXs such as Uniswap. However, the deepest OKB liquidity is on centralized order books rather than on-chain pools.

After purchasing, consider holding OKB on OKX if you trade actively or use Jumpstart, and bridge to X Layer if you want to use OKB as gas for the OKX-affiliated Layer 2.

Latest OKB News

OKB's most consequential recent development is its role as the gas token of X Layer, OKX's zkEVM Layer 2. Since launching, X Layer has steadily added DeFi, NFT, and consumer applications, and the OKX Web3 wallet's deep integration with the chain has helped onboard users from the centralized exchange. The buyback-and-burn program has continued at its 30%-of-spot-revenue pace, with quarterly burn announcements documenting cumulative reductions in circulating supply.

Through 2025 and into 2026, OKX has continued to expand its global presence with additional licensing in select jurisdictions while adjusting its services in others to comply with evolving regulation. OKB's value is tightly linked to OKX's overall trajectory: trading volumes, exchange revenue, X Layer adoption, and the regulatory environment all feed into demand for the token. Following OKX's official channels and the X Layer roadmap is the best way to stay current on developments that affect OKB.