OKX Launches U.S. Operations on April 15, Opens California Headquarters

OKX, one of the world's leading cryptocurrency exchanges, has officially launched its centralized trading platform and OKX Wallet to the U.S. market, while establishing a regional headquarters in San Jose, California. Announced on April 15, 2025, via OKX's official blog, this expansion follows a $504 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in February 2025, addressing prior compliance concerns. Existing OKCoin customers will seamlessly transition to the OKX platform, with new users onboarded in phases ahead of a nationwide rollout later this year, signaling OKX's ambition to capture a share of the U.S.'s burgeoning crypto market.

The San Jose headquarters, located in Silicon Valley, enables OKX to leverage the region's tech talent and align with the U.S.'s increasingly crypto-friendly regulatory environment. Roshan Robert, appointed U.S. CEO, brings extensive expertise from Morgan Stanley, Barclays, and crypto lending platform CLST.

U.S. customers can now access OKX's spot trading features—buy, sell, and convert—across 28 cryptocurrencies, including BTC, ETH, SOL, stablecoins like USDC, USDT, and DAI, and leading altcoins such as XRP, ADA, LINK, and SUI, as listed on OKX's U.S. website. The platform supports seamless USD bank account integrations, bridging traditional finance and crypto. Additionally, the OKX Web3 Wallet, supporting over 130 blockchains, enables users to swap tokens, explore NFTs, and interact with decentralized applications (dApps).

OKX's U.S. entry follows a complex regulatory journey. In February 2025, its affiliate, Aux Cayes FinTech Co. Ltd., settled with the DOJ for operating an unlicensed money transmitter business, processing over $5 billion in suspicious transactions. The DOJ alleged OKX targeted U.S. customers, including in New York, despite restrictions, with one employee reportedly advising users to circumvent policies. The $504 million settlement—$84 million in penalties and $421 million in forfeited fees—cleared the way for OKX's compliant launch.

To address regulatory concerns, OKX has strengthened its compliance framework with robust know-your-customer (KYC) protocols, anti-money laundering (AML) measures, and advanced fraud detection. Monthly Proof of Reserves reports, audited by Hacken in January, show a 1:1 reserve ratio for all in-scope assets, reinforcing user confidence. "We've built a comprehensive, risk-based global compliance program that includes enhanced due diligence, a robust KYC process, customer risk rating systems, advanced fraud detection, AML tools, geo-blocking, and market surveillance technologies," Robert affirmed, signaling OKX’s alignment with U.S. regulators.

OKX's launch aligns with growing U.S. crypto adoption, with 51% of Gen Z and 35% of the general population in the U.S. have owned cryptocurrency, according to Gemini. The broader market remains vibrant. The U.S. crypto environment has become more favorable under President Donald Trump's administration, which has championed pro-crypto policies and national Bitcoin reserve.

In the official statement, Robert emphasized OKX's commitment to trust and accessibility, stating, "Our goal is to offer a secure, transparent, and accessible alternative—built for everyone, from first-time customers to advanced traders."