About OKB (OKB)

What is OKB (OKB) in crypto, in plain English?

OKB is the utility token that powers the OKX ecosystem. It started as an ERC-20 coin and now also runs on X Layer, OKX’s zkEVM L2. Holders use it for fee discounts, staking/earn products, governance-style votes, and access to token launches. A quick take: it’s the connective tissue between OKX Exchange, Wallet, Pay, and its L2.

Why did OKB’s supply change so dramatically in 2025?

In August 2025, OKX executed a historic burn that fixed OKB’s total supply at 21,000,000. That move removed minting/burning controls in the upgraded contract, making the cap permanent. So why does it matter? Scarcity is now explicit, not promised. It shifted OKB from “exchange perk” to a scarcity-driven coin with clear tokenomics.

How is OKB allocated and what drives its token model?

The updated allocation shows 60% for Development & Marketing, 20% for Team Motivation, 10% purchased by shareholders, and 10% held by the Blockchain Foundation. Over time, OKB’s buyback-and-burn program became its deflationary engine: OKX uses part of its revenue to repurchase and permanently burn tokens. The result is a supply-capped, revenue-backed token model baked into its contract.

Are there any vesting cliffs or unlocks still ahead?

No. Following the August 2025 changes, OKB’s 21M supply is fully circulating with no scheduled unlocks. You might wonder if legacy locks still linger—those early team/strategic periods ended years ago. The current setup removes future emissions risk, which simplifies modeling for long-term holders.

Did OKB raise funds through an ICO or public sale?

No ICO, no IEO. OKB avoided public fundraising entirely. However, OKX completed a $10M Series A round on March 17, 2014, backed by Ceyuan Ventures, Giant Network, Mandra Capital, VenturesLab, and PreAngel Fund. This funding was for OKX’s platform development, not a token sale. OKB distribution later focused on user incentives and ecosystem programs.

What can I actually do with the OKB token today?

Several things: pay trading fees with discounts on the exchange, stake/subscribe in Earn products, and gain access to OKX Jumpstart sales. Since 2025, OKB is also the gas token for X Layer, so on-chain activity there consumes OKB. Payments partners support it, too. In short, one token, many touchpoints across OKX’s app stack.

Where does OKB trade and what pairs are common?

OKB trades on major centralized venues—naturally on OKX—and appears on select DEXs. The most common quote asset is USDT, reflecting broader crypto market structure; USD access typically routes through stablecoins or on-ramp partners. Practical note: liquidity is deepest on OKX, while DEX liquidity exists but is secondary.

What’s the roadmap around X Layer and why should I care?

OKX is consolidating its ecosystem onto X Layer with OKB as native gas. The plan: stablecoin-centric UX (think USDT and other usd-denominated flows), DeFi partnerships, and a developer/vision fund to seed apps. The goal is simple—make transacting cheap, fast, and tightly integrated with the OKX wallet and exchange.

Any notable migrations or ecosystem restructurings to know about?

Yes. OKX is winding down the older OKTChain and steering activity to X Layer. An OKT→OKB conversion process accompanied the 2025 overhaul, reducing fragmentation and placing OKB at the center. Net result: fewer moving parts, clearer utility. It’s housekeeping that strengthens the token’s role on the new L2.

What are the main risks with an exchange coin like OKB?

Centralization and regulatory exposure come first: exchange policies can change, and jurisdictions differ. There are also technical risks around bridges and multi-chain operations as OKB spans Ethereum and X Layer. Competitive risk is real, too—rival exchange tokens and L2s fight for the same users. As always in crypto, smart contract and platform risks apply.