Crypto exchange OKX is radically tightening its policy regarding incoming transactions. Now, any deposit coming from addresses associated with gambling or so-called "guarantee" escrow services may trigger a full-scale compliance check under AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations. The procedure may take 15 days or more.
This statement was made by the CEO and co-founder of OKX, Star Xu, who publicly outlined the platform's new course of action. Transfers initiated through "guaranteed" escrow services in Telegram groups, as well as through the Huione network (Huione Guarantee), are in a particularly high-risk zone. According to my data, this Telegram marketplace, before facing regulatory pressure in 2025, processed transactions worth more than $27 billion. After the blocks, its volumes were partially taken over by similar platforms, including Tudou Guarantee.
AML checks for transfers: what this means for users
During the check, the exchange reserves the right to restrict account functionality and freeze access to funds. If the illegal nature of the transactions is confirmed, the user risks completely losing access to their account. Xu stated directly: "Funds received through channels such as guarantor deals in Telegram groups, Huione, and similar services may carry elevated risks."
Notably, OKX already began monitoring wallets linked to Huione Guarantee last year—immediately after U.S. authorities intervened. In October 2025, the U.S. Treasury's FinCEN unit officially banned Huione Guarantee from accessing the U.S. financial system. This is just one front in a large-scale compliance campaign.
Part of a large-scale compliance campaign
The tightening of controls coincided with a report from CertiK analysts, who note that AML claim risks now outpace disputes over securities and have become the main source of regulatory pressure on the crypto market. My analysis confirms this trend: over the past year, OKX has paid fines for AML violations totaling more than $500 million. This is a serious signal for the entire industry.
Xu also acknowledged the existing problem of "false positives": the platform sometimes mistakenly flags transfers from legitimate users. In July 2025, OKX faced a wave of criticism when some accounts were blocked due to erroneous fraud labels. Whether the new rule with a 15-day check can cut off illegal flows without affecting honest depositors will become clear very soon.
My expert opinion: this is the inevitable price of the crypto market's institutionalization. Exchanges are balancing between regulatory requirements and user loyalty, and OKX is betting on strict compliance. However, a 15-day freeze on funds is an extremely painful tool for legitimate traders. The question is how accurate the filtering algorithms will be, and whether such a policy will scare off retail users, for whom speed is a key factor.