OKX Exchange Setup

Connect your OKX account to SignalBee in minutes. This guide walks you through creating and configuring API keys with the exact permissions needed for automated trading.

Important: OKX requires three values for API authentication: API Key, Secret Key, AND Passphrase. You must save all three when creating your key.

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Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• Verified OKX account - Identity verification (KYC) completed
• 2FA enabled on OKX - Required for API key creation
• SignalBee account - Ready to connect an exchange
• Password manager - For storing your API credentials securely (you need to save THREE values)

Security Note: OKX requires 2FA (two-factor authentication) to create API keys. If you haven't enabled 2FA yet, go to Profile → Security in your OKX account.

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Understanding OKX Account Modes

OKX offers different account modes for various trading styles. All modes support spot trading with SignalBee:

Tip: For basic spot trading with SignalBee, the Simple mode is recommended. You can change your account mode in OKX under Trade → Account Mode.

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Understanding OKX Account Structure

OKX separates funds into different accounts. Funds must be in the Trading account for spot trades:

How to Transfer Funds to Trading Account

If your funds are in the Funding account:

1. Log in to OKX
2. Go to Assets → Funding Account
3. Click Transfer next to the asset you want to move
4. Select Funding Account → Trading Account
5. Enter the amount and confirm

Tip: This internal transfer is free and instant.

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Creating Your API Key

Follow these steps to create an API key on OKX.

Step 1: Log In to OKX

1. Go to www.okx.com
2. Log in with your email/phone and password
3. Complete 2FA verification

Step 2: Navigate to API Management

1. Click your profile icon in the top-right corner
2. Select API from the dropdown menu
3. You'll see a list of your existing API keys (if any)

Step 3: Create a New API Key

1. Click the Create API key button
2. Select API trading (for third-party applications like SignalBee)

Step 4: Select API Version

1. Select API V5 (the latest version)
2. V5 provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date functionality

Step 5: Configure Your API Key

1. API Key Name - Enter a descriptive label: SignalBee Trading
2. Passphrase - Create a secure passphrase (like a password for your API)

Warning: Save your Passphrase immediately! This is NOT shown again and cannot be recovered. If forgotten, you must delete the API key and create a new one.

Step 6: Set Permissions

Configure the permissions for your API key (see Configuring Permissions section for details):

1. ✅ Enable Read - View account info
2. ✅ Enable Trade - Place orders
3. ❌ Do NOT enable Withdraw - Never needed

Step 7: Complete Security Verification

1. Email Verification - Enter the code sent to your email
2. Authenticator Code - Enter the 6-digit 2FA code
3. Wait for verification to complete

Step 8: Save ALL THREE Values IMMEDIATELY

After verification, OKX displays your API credentials. You MUST save all three:

Warning: If you lose your Secret Key or forget your Passphrase, you'll need to delete this API key and create a new one. There is no way to recover these values.

Save all three values in your password manager now before proceeding.

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Configuring Permissions

Configure the correct permissions to balance functionality and security.

Required Permissions

Never Enable These Permissions

Security Note: Even if your API key is somehow compromised, funds cannot be withdrawn without withdrawal permissions enabled. This is your most important security protection.

How to Edit Permissions

1. In API Management, find your SignalBee API key
2. Click the Edit button next to the key
3. Modify the permission checkboxes as needed
4. Click Confirm
5. Complete 2FA verification

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IP Whitelist Configuration

IP whitelisting restricts your API key to only work from specific IP addresses. This is optional but adds a strong security layer.

Why Use IP Whitelisting?

Even if your API key is somehow exposed, it won't work from unauthorized IP addresses.

SignalBee Server IP Addresses

Note: Contact support@signalbee.trade to request SignalBee's current production IP addresses for whitelisting. We maintain static IPs specifically for exchange API calls and will notify you before any infrastructure changes.

How to Configure IP Whitelisting

1. When creating or editing your API key, find the IP addresses section
2. Enter each SignalBee IP address (one per line or comma-separated)
3. Click Confirm
4. Complete verification

If You Skip IP Whitelisting

If you choose not to use IP whitelisting:

1. Leave the IP whitelist empty or select unrestricted access
2. Understand this is less secure but still safe if withdrawals are disabled
3. Your other security measures (no withdrawal permission) still protect your funds

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Adding to SignalBee

Now connect your OKX API key to SignalBee.

Step 1: Go to Exchanges Page

1. Log in to your SignalBee account
2. Navigate to Exchanges in the main menu

Step 2: Add New Exchange

1. Click the Add Exchange button
2. Select OKX from the exchange list

Step 3: Enter Your Credentials

OKX requires three fields - this is unique compared to exchanges like Binance:

1. API Key - Paste your OKX API key
2. Secret Key - Paste your OKX Secret key
3. Passphrase - Enter the passphrase you created when making the API key

Warning: The Passphrase is the value you created during API key setup. It is NOT your OKX login password or any other account password.

Step 4: Test the Connection

1. Click Save and Test Connection
2. Wait for SignalBee to verify your credentials
3. Look for the ✅ success message

Step 5: Verify Your Setup

After successful connection:

1. Your OKX balances should appear in SignalBee
2. Check that your expected assets are listed
3. Balances confirm the Read permission is working

Tip: If balances don't appear, verify that funds are in your Trading account (not Funding). See Understanding OKX Account Structure above.

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OKX-Specific Considerations

Ticker Format

OKX uses a dash separator in trading pair symbols:

When configuring webhooks or signals, use the OKX format with dashes: BTC-USDT, ETH-USDT, etc.

Note: SignalBee automatically normalizes ticker formats when possible, but using the correct OKX format ensures the best compatibility.

Minimum Order Sizes

OKX enforces minimum order values:

Tip: Check OKX's trading rules for current minimum order sizes for specific pairs.

Trading Fees

OKX offers competitive trading fees:

Tip: OKX offers some of the lowest trading fees in the industry. VIP tiers are based on 30-day trading volume and can reduce fees further.

API Rate Limits

• OKX imposes rate limits on API requests (varies by endpoint)
• SignalBee handles rate limiting automatically
• If you see rate limit errors, reduce your signal frequency or check for duplicate webhooks

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Troubleshooting

Common OKX-specific errors and solutions:

Connection Test Fails?

If your connection test fails in SignalBee:

1. Verify all THREE values - API Key, Secret Key, AND Passphrase must all be correct
2. Check the Passphrase - Most common error. This is NOT your OKX login password.
3. Wait a few minutes - New API keys may take 1-2 minutes to activate
4. Verify permissions - Ensure Read permission is enabled
5. Check IP whitelist - Remove IP restrictions temporarily to test

For persistent issues, see our Error Codes Reference or contact support@signalbee.trade.

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Security Best Practices

Follow this checklist to keep your OKX account secure:

OKX Account Security

• Enable 2FA with an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy) - more secure than SMS
• Use a unique, strong password for OKX (not reused from other sites)
• Enable anti-phishing code in OKX settings - helps identify legitimate emails
• Enable withdrawal whitelist on OKX - restricts withdrawals to pre-approved addresses only

API Key Security

• Create a dedicated API key just for SignalBee - don't reuse keys across services
• Never enable withdrawal permission - SignalBee never needs it
• Consider IP whitelisting for maximum security
• Never share your Secret Key via email, chat, or screenshots
• Never share your Passphrase - treat it like a password
• Store all THREE credentials in a password manager (1Password, Bitwarden, etc.)

Ongoing Security

• Review your API keys periodically in OKX - delete any you don't recognize
• Rotate API keys every 90 days as a security habit
• Monitor trade history on OKX for any unauthorized activity
• Keep your email secure - it's used for OKX account recovery

Security Note: Even with all these precautions, the most important protection is never enabling withdrawal permissions. Without this permission, your funds cannot be moved off the exchange even if everything else is compromised.

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Related Resources

• API Key Best Practices - General API key security guidance
• Security Overview - How SignalBee protects your data
• Error Codes Reference - Common error messages explained
• KuCoin Setup - Similar three-value authentication system