Just signed up for Binance or OKX? What to do next, side by side
Short answer
Three things. Secure the account: turn on 2FA, set an anti-phishing code, and before your first withdrawal you can turn on the whitelist. Verify your identity: Binance requires it before you deposit or trade; OKX blocks crypto deposits and withdrawals until you do. Then send your UID to @FairRebateBot to check your code is linked.
Identity verification
Needed on both
Binance: no deposits or trades without it
2FA
Use an authenticator app
Binance strongly recommends at least one
Anti-phishing code
Shows in real emails
Created in your security settings
Referral code
Send your UID to the bot
Binance FAIRR, OKX FAIRR
After you sign up
Turn on 2FA: install Google Authenticator, then link it under Account Security (OKX: Security)
Verify your identity: upload an ID, then do a face check
Set an anti-phishing code: real emails from the exchange will then show it
Send your UID to @FairRebateBot and it will check whether your referral code is linked
Before your first withdrawal, you can turn on the withdrawal whitelist so coins only go to saved addresses
Binance vs OKX
Binance
- Identity verification
- All new users must complete Standard verification before they can deposit or trade
- Verification time
- Usually within 48 hours, longer in special cases
- 2FA
- Account icon, profile, Account Security, Authenticator App
- Anti-phishing code
- Profile, Account Info, Security, Anti-Phishing Code
- Withdrawal whitelist
- Web: Settings, Withdrawal, Withdrawal Whitelist
- Where your UID is
- Account center icon at the top left of the app, above your nickname
OKX
- Identity verification
- No crypto deposits or withdrawals, and no P2P buying or selling, without it
- Verification time
- About 30 seconds; up to about 24 hours if further review is needed
- 2FA
- Menu, Profile and settings, Security, Authenticator app
- Anti-phishing code
- Menu, Security, Anti-phishing code
- Withdrawal whitelist
- Assets, Withdraw, pick a coin, Address book, Address settings
- Where your UID is
- App menu, Account settings, in your profile
| Exchange | Binance | OKX |
|---|---|---|
| Identity verification | All new users must complete Standard verification before they can deposit or trade | No crypto deposits or withdrawals, and no P2P buying or selling, without it |
| Verification time | Usually within 48 hours, longer in special cases | About 30 seconds; up to about 24 hours if further review is needed |
| 2FA | Account icon, profile, Account Security, Authenticator App | Menu, Profile and settings, Security, Authenticator app |
| Anti-phishing code | Profile, Account Info, Security, Anti-Phishing Code | Menu, Security, Anti-phishing code |
| Withdrawal whitelist | Web: Settings, Withdrawal, Withdrawal Whitelist | Assets, Withdraw, pick a coin, Address book, Address settings |
| Where your UID is | Account center icon at the top left of the app, above your nickname | App menu, Account settings, in your profile |
| Sign up | Sign up | Sign up |
The exchange has the final word
FAQ
How do I turn on 2FA?
Entry points and steps are in how to turn on 2FA on Binance and OKX. Binance says that even if someone gets your password, they can't log in without the second step.
What if my identity verification fails?
Check why it failed, fix it and resubmit: for Binance see Binance identity check failed, for OKX see OKX identity check failed.
What if my referral code isn't linked?
On Binance, within 30 days of signing up and with no deposit or trade yet, you can add it yourself; OKX doesn't allow it after sign-up. See forgot your referral code.
Do I need to do the new-user rewards right away?
They have deadlines: Binance's welcome tasks must be done within a time limit after verification, and OKX's first-trade reward within 29 days of signing up. You don't need futures for either; conditions are on the campaign pages. Don't trade more just for a reward.
Someone messaged me saying they're support and can finish my verification. Is that real?
No. You do identity verification yourself on the official website or app; anyone asking for your password or codes, or offering to verify for you, is a warning sign.