OKX reported a dramatic rise in trading activity in 2025 as its expansion into regulated markets across the United States and Europe reshaped how users interact with the platform.
Key Takeaways
- OKX trading volume increased 53 times in licensed and regulated markets during 2025.
- Daily active wallets doubled, with around 190,000 new wallets created each day.
- Decentralized exchange trading jumped 262 percent, far outpacing centralized growth.
- Expansion followed MiCA approval in Europe and a US launch in April.
What Happened?
Crypto exchange OKX said its decision to focus on licensed market access in the United States and the European Economic Area delivered strong growth across trading activity, user adoption, and decentralized finance participation.
The company attributed the surge to regulatory clarity in both regions, paired with infrastructure designed to meet local compliance standards while expanding product access.
Our numbers tell a powerful story of growth in 2025.
— OKX (@okx) December 23, 2025
Underneath these stats is a focus on building systems the right way — secure, compliant, and trustworthy.
tl;dr: The New Money era is here. pic.twitter.com/iAkrwoACkQ
Regulated Expansion Fuels Trading Growth
According to internal data shared by OKX, trading volume in its regulated markets rose 53 fold over the past year. The exchange entered the European market in January after securing approval under the Markets in Crypto Assets framework, commonly known as MiCA.
MiCA created a single licensing regime for crypto service providers across the European Union and became fully applicable to exchanges in December 2024. Through its Malta based hub, OKX can now operate across 28 European Economic Area countries, offering more than 240 cryptocurrencies and over 300 trading pairs, including more than 60 euro denominated pairs.
The platform provides spot trading, over the counter services, and automated bot trading with localized language support, payment methods, and fiat on ramps designed for European users.
In the United States, OKX launched operations in April and established its headquarters in San Jose California, appointing Roshan Robert as its US chief executive officer. The launch coincided with improving regulatory conditions and increased institutional engagement.
DEX Activity Outpaces Centralized Trading
One of the most notable trends highlighted by OKX was the rapid growth of decentralized trading. The exchange reported a 262 percent increase in decentralized exchange volume globally, compared with a 16 percent rise in centralized trading activity.
This shift reflects growing user demand for greater asset control and transparency following periods of market instability. Industry analysts have increasingly pointed to concerns around token concentration and liquidity risks as key drivers behind the move toward decentralized platforms.
Daily active wallets on OKX doubled year over year, underscoring rising engagement. The exchange said roughly 190,000 new wallets are created each day, signaling strong momentum among retail and advanced users alike.
Regulatory Momentum In The US
OKX noted that its US expansion benefited from positive legislative developments, including the passage of the GENIUS Act in July. The law introduced a federal framework for stablecoin issuance, requiring full reserve backing and monthly public disclosures.
Since its passage, the stablecoin market has grown beyond 310 billion dollars, with Tether USDT and Circle USDC accounting for about 85 percent of total supply, according to data from DefiLlama.
Data from CoinMarketCap currently ranks OKX as the fourth largest crypto exchange globally, based on traffic, liquidity, reported volume, and confidence in volume authenticity.
Europe Sees Licensing Race Among Exchanges
OKX is not alone in its push into Europe. Several major platforms secured MiCA licenses in 2025, allowing them to passport services across the bloc.
Bybit established its European headquarters in Vienna after receiving approval from Austria financial regulator. Coinbase obtained its license from Luxembourg, while Kraken gained approval from the Central Bank of Ireland. Gemini also secured authorization from Malta regulators later in the year.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
In my experience watching crypto cycles, this feels like a turning point. OKX proves that regulation and growth are not enemies. I found the surge in decentralized trading especially telling because it shows users are not just chasing volume but control and trust. If exchanges can balance compliance with real user freedom, I believe we will see a healthier crypto market emerge in the years ahead.
