Introduction of rules on OKX brokers

Published on 20 Feb 2023Updated on 24 Sept 20247 min read

OKX is one of the most trusted digital asset trading platforms globally, mainly engaged in providing spot trading and derivative trading services of digital assets for global users. OKX brokers are our key partners. OKX has been promoting the Brokerage Scheme to provide brokers with the account management system, order management system, matching system, and settlement system. Also, it has shared fluidity and depth throughout its network to assist brokers in promoting their businesses and earning high commissions. Click here: Apply to join

1. Who can apply for OKX's Broker?

As long as your business platform provides the below cryptocurrency services, you can apply to join in the OKX Brokerage project, earning high commissions through the trading fees generated by users in OKX:

  • Trading aggregator platform

  • Trading strategy platform

  • Technical strategy provider

  • Trading bot platform

  • Asset management and payment platform

  • Social trading community

2. Introduction of OKX brokerage models

To meet the needs of various brokers, OKX brokerage models have been divided into two categories: API Broker、OAuth Broker:

Fully-disclosed brokerage model

Based on the differences in authentication and operation, the fully-disclosed brokerage model can be categorized into two: "API Broker", "OAuth Broker".

  • API Broker:

    • Operating model: Operate by binding OKX, brokers and users with API Key;

    • Brokerage model: Apply broker code to OKX, and place orders via broker code + the user's API Key;

    • User: First, create an account in OKX and automatically generate an API Key, then register and bind their API Key with the broker. After binding, when the user places an order in the broker, the broker will send it to OKX via broker code + the user's API Key.

  • OAuth Broker:

    • Operating model: By calling the OKX app or the web page for trading authorization, the broker can authorize the Broker App to call interface and operate correspondingly on the user's account under the situation that the user does not need to disclose their API key in OKX;

    • Brokerage model: Authorize users to jump to the OKX OAuth page, and place orders with broker code + the user's authorization code;

    • User: Create an account in OKX, jump to the OKX app or the web page from the broker page, and authorize the broker to trade among their OKX accounts.

3. How to apply to be an OKX broker?

  • Log in to your OKX account and enter the broker's official website. Choose the broker model that suits you the best based on the business lines, and fill in the online application form

  • After the application form is submitted and approved in two days, one of OKX's customer managers will contact you, and help you go through and complete the onboarding process

The detailed onboarding process is as follows:

  • The broker's onboarding qualification is approved

  • OKX's customer manager contacts you to further complete the signing of your onboarding contract

  • The broker's technical department refers to the broker's API settings for technical access

  • After your onboarding, the broker can test online trading, and use T+1 to query commissions, and the onboarding process is completed

4. Supported products and rate specifications

  • All spots, contracts (USDT-margined, coin-margined), and options on OKX

    • Please refer to the rate table for OKX's fee standard

    • The rate standard for API brokers is in line with that for OAuth brokers

5. Rules on commission

  • The rate in OKX is implemented based on the broker's actual condition and relevant standards;

Commission settlement:

  1. Settlement cycle:T+1, on an hourly basis;

  2. Settlement time:Hourly settlement of the rebate amount one hour before it is settled and distributed; if there are no exceptional circumstances, the data will be pushed to the user center every hour, and the front-end data on the Broker page will be updated,the order interface can also be invoked through the clOrdId field (brokers that have cooperated before 2022) and the tag field (new brokers that have cooperated since 2022) to view order and rebate information;

  3. Settlement account:

  • Trading fees：The background account bound with the broker code;

  1. Settlement amount: The net fee generated during the period * the corresponding ratio of the Broker level

  2. Settlement coverage: The volume of orders traded by the user via API on the platform. The volume generated by the user via the OKX app should not be included in the commission for brokers;

  3. Settlement method: The background automatically distributes the proportional commission in the form of USDT into the account bound with the broker code;

  1. Affiliated-related cases:

    • For users who create accounts by affiliate invitation and then trade via brokers, the provisions on commission are as follows:

    • Rebates will go separately to both affliate and broker depending on affliate's level and broker's level

  2. Non-rebate cases:

    • The transaction's counterparty is not on OKX, indicating no commission for brokers.

    • Users at the fee level of VIP 6 (calculated on the volume level) and above do not engage in the commission for brokers;

    • Users on brokers using commission cards to deduct fees do not engage in the commission for brokers;

API Queries on commission:

  1. After obtaining identification access, brokers will be labeled with corresponding broker codes, and obtain broker background access;

  2. Brokers send users' orders to OKX, each marked with broker codes. OKX identifies brokers' orders according to their broker code and distributes commission to their accounts according to the volume;

  3. Brokers can make commission queries, detailed queries, and other functions through their backgrounds, and can also make queries on commission data through API;

6. Broker API integration process

Documents required:

3 steps for API docking:

1. Use public API documents to set up public services, such as trading, query, etc.

  • Available for: API broker, OAuth broker

2. Use broker API documents to set up broker-based docking

  • Available for: OAuth broker

3. Commission tag settings - On the information of each transaction, there should be broker codes on tags to identify the corresponding brokers for calculating commissions

  • Available for: API broker, OAuth broker

7.How to place orders with broker codes

  • Broker code is an order identifier automatically generated in the boss background when applying. Like the channelID of a node, it is the basis for our settlement with brokers. Therefore, the broker code must be marked in the "tag" when an order is placed.

  • Example:

    • Your broker code is "ABCD";

    • When you place an order, you need to input the broker code in "tag". For example, on the information of trading order No. ABCDabcdef123, the "tag" is marked "ABCD"

    • The demonstration of API information in a trading order:

{ "instId": "BTC-USDT", "tdMode": "cash", "side": "buy", "ordType": "limit", "px": "1000", "sz": "0.01" "clOrdId": "ABCDabcdef123" "tag": "ABCD" }

8. Sub-Broker Feature

The purpose of this feature is giving our brokers more freedom to share commission with their sub-broker and their users. Broker can generate the sub-broker code and assign that broker code a designated commission sharing ratio. This feature is default to open to all API/OAuth brokers. Please visit the OKX Broker page to unlock this feature. Please contact your business manager for detailed user manual.

9. FAQ

Q: Is the commission ratio for brokers unified? Is there an upgrading mechanism?
A: The commissions for brokers are differentiated based on the different modes, including brokerage system and gradient of volume. Data review will be carried out at the beginning of the month, which can be upgraded depending on the actual situation.

Q: Is there any difference between new and old users on brokers when it comes to commission?
A: No difference. They can both get commissions.

Q: Do brokers support placing strategy orders?
A: Currently, only API brokers are currently supported placing multiple strategy orders, including: TP / SL order under one-way mode, TP / SL order under hedge mode, plan order, iceberg order, TWAP order, etc.