OKB

What is OKB?

OKB is the token of the OKX crypto exchange group. Since an August 2025 overhaul, its main job is paying gas fees on X Layer, an Ethereum-connected blockchain launched by OKX, and its total supply was fixed at 21 million after a large one-time burn. OKX now serves US customers through a dedicated US platform.

What it’s used for

People who use apps or move tokens on X Layer pay network fees in OKB. Some holders also use OKB to join OKX ecosystem programs where offered. OKX's US help center says OKB cannot be used to offset trading fees and does not affect fee tiers there.

Role of the OKB token:

Evidence of real use

• OKX burned about 65.26 million historically repurchased and reserved OKB in August 2025, fixing total supply at 21 million and removing minting and burning functions from the contract. Source
• OKX's US help center states OKB is X Layer's native gas token and cannot be used to offset exchange trading fees. Source
• OKX pleaded guilty in February 2025 to violating US anti-money-laundering laws and agreed to penalties of more than $500 million. Source

How OKB works

OKB started in 2018 as a classic exchange token tied to OKX, then called OKEx, with buybacks and burns funded by the company. In August 2025, OKX restructured it. A one-time smart-contract burn destroyed about 65 million OKB the company had repurchased or reserved, the contract was upgraded to remove the ability to mint or burn, and total supply was fixed at 21 million. OKT, the token of OKX's older chain, was converted into OKB.

Today OKB's clearest job is paying gas on X Layer, a layer 2 network launched by OKX that settles to Ethereum. Anyone can deploy apps there, and every transaction needs a little OKB. Because OKX still steers the network and the token's design, OKB remains closely tied to the company's decisions and reputation, even though the token itself no longer gets exchange fee discounts in OKX's US help documentation.

Key moments

1. 2018OKB launches as the token of the OKEx exchange.
2. 2025OKX pleads guilty in February to US anti-money-laundering violations and agrees to pay more than $500 million.
3. 2025OKX launches its exchange and wallet for US customers in April.
4. 2025In August, about 65 million OKB are burned, supply is fixed at 21 million, and OKB becomes X Layer's gas token.

Supply

OKB's total supply is fixed at 21 million after the August 2025 burn, and the upgraded contract no longer allows minting or burning. OKB sent to the designated burn address is destroyed automatically. A large share of the remaining supply is still associated with OKX and its ecosystem.

Risks to understand

• Company dependence: OKB's role, network and supply decisions all trace back to OKX, so problems at OKX would weigh on the token.
• Regulatory history: OKX pleaded guilty in 2025 to operating without required US anti-money-laundering controls and paid more than $500 million.
• Narrow usage: OKB's main function is gas on one layer 2 network that is still building its user base.
• Different rules by region: OKX's global and US platforms offer different products, so OKB-related perks seen elsewhere may not apply in the US.

Last reviewed October 4, 2026 by The Crypto Guide editorial team. Utility Lens ratings are editorial judgments, not investment advice. Market data from CoinGecko. Spot an error? Request a correction.