In the world of cryptocurrency, transparency and trust are paramount. With increasing scrutiny on exchange solvency, platforms like OKX have adopted Proof of Reserves (PoR) to demonstrate their financial integrity. This guide walks you through how to independently verify OKXโs ownership of reserve wallet addresses and confirm the on-chain balance matches their published snapshot โ all using open-source tools.
Whether you're a security-conscious trader or a blockchain enthusiast, understanding this process empowers you to validate claims with real data.
๐ง Pre-Check Preparation
Before diving into verification, ensure your environment is set up correctly:
Download the OKX Proof of Reserves package
This includes two essential tools:VerifyAddress: Validates cryptographic proof of ownership.CheckBalance: Confirms on-chain balances match the published snapshot.
- Download the latest reserve snapshot CSV file
Contains wallet addresses, asset types, balances, messages, and signatures at a specific block height. - Store both the PoR data and tools in the same folder
Example:~/Downloads/proof-of-reserves Choose your verification path:
- To confirm ownership, proceed to Verify OKXโs Reserve Address Ownership.
- To check balance accuracy, go to Check OKX Wallet Balance Against On-Chain Data.
๐ Discover how leading exchanges prove their reserves โ verify it yourself today.
Verify OKX Reserve Address Ownership
OKX proves ownership by signing a standardized message โ "I am an OKX reserve address" โ with private keys controlling each wallet. The signature, along with the address and message, is included in the public PoR report.
๐ Supported Wallet Types
- Bitcoin (BTC): Single-signature and 2-of-3 multi-signature wallets
- Ethereum (ETH) & USDT (EVM chains): EOA and contract addresses
- TRON (TRX) chain addresses
For multi-sig wallets, two out of three private keys sign โ proving OKX controls at least two, thus owning the address.
1.1 Using OKXโs Open-Source Tool
Step 1: Open Your Terminal
- Mac: Launch Terminal
- Windows: Use Command Prompt or PowerShell
Step 2: Navigate to the Folder
cd ~/Downloads/proof-of-reservesStep 3: Run the Verification Command
On Mac:
./VerifyAddress --por_csv_filename=okx_por_202211222.csvOn Windows:
VerifyAddress.exe --por_csv_filename=okx_por_202211222.csv๐ก Replace the filename if using a newer snapshot.
Step 4: Interpret Results
If successful, the terminal returns:
End of signature verification for addresses โ all addresses passedThis confirms OKX owns every listed reserve address.
โ ๏ธ Mac Security Warning?
If you see "developer cannot be verified", go to:System Preferences โ Security & Privacy โ General
Click Allow Anyway under the blocked app message.
1.2 Verify Ownership via Third-Party Tools
You can also use external tools to validate signatures manually.
Example: Verifying a BTC Single-Signature Address
- Open the PoR CSV file.
- Copy the address, message, and signature fields.
- Go to a trusted signature verifier (e.g., Bitcoin Core or online tools).
- Paste the data and submit.
โ A valid result confirms OKX controls that address.
This method works for:
- BTC single-signature addresses
- EVM-based wallets (ETH, USDT-ERC20, etc.)
- TRON (TRC20) addresses
Check OKX Wallet Balance Against On-Chain Data
Verifying balance ensures that the funds existed on-chain at the time of the snapshot. This involves comparing the published balance with actual blockchain data at a specific block height.
๐ Two Key Checks:
- Individual address balance vs. PoR file
- Total asset balance across all addresses vs. reported total
To query balances at historical block heights, youโll need access to an archive node via:
- Self-hosted RPC node
- Third-party services (Infura, Alchemy)
- OKLinkโs public API
2.1 Verify BTC Address Balance
Step 1: Set Up a Bitcoin Core Node
- Download Bitcoin Core (v0.21+)
Configure
bitcoin.conf:server=1 rpcuser=OKX rpcpassword=OKXWalletFile path:
~/.bitcoin/bitcoin.confStart the node:
./bitcoind- Wait for full sync (~12 hours)
Rewind to snapshot block height:
- Find the next blockโs hash from a BTC explorer
Run:
./bitcoin-cli invalidateblock 00000000000000005829017993a7a21e4b7c731c95b9cb979c01294a7bd27(Use actual hash from your PoR file)
Step 2: Configure rpc.json
Update BTC RPC settings:
{
"btc": {
"rpc_url": "http://127.0.0.1:8332",
"rpc_user": "OKX",
"rpc_password": "OKXWallet"
}
}Step 3: Run Balance Check
Check Single Address (Mac):
./CheckBalance --mode="single_address" --coin_name="btc" --address="3A1JRKqfGgxoq2qSHLv85u4zn935VR9ToL" --por_csv_filename=okx_por_20221122.csvCheck Total BTC Balance:
./CheckBalance --mode="single_coin_total_balance" --coin_name="btc" --por_csv_filename=okx_por_202211222.csvCompare output with the CSV โ they should match exactly.
2.2 Verify ETH / USDT and Multi-Chain Balances
OKX publishes reserves across multiple chains:
- Ethereum, Optimism, Arbitrum, Polygon, Avalanche
- Assets: ETH, USDT (ERC20, TRC20, etc.)
Use one of these methods in rpc.json:
Option 1: Default Public RPC (No Setup)
No configuration needed โ works for basic checks.
Option 2: Third-Party Archive Nodes (Infura/Alchemy)
Sign up at Infura or Alchemy, get an API key, then set:
"eth": {
"rpc_url": "https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR_PROJECT_ID"
}Option 3: OKLink Public API
- Log in to OKLink
- Go to API Management
- Create an On-Chain Data API Key
Add to rpc.json:
"eth": {
"oklink_api_key": "YOUR_OKLINK_API_KEY"
}OKLink allows querying historical balances at specific block heights โ crucial for accurate verification.
Run ETH/USDT Balance Checks
Single Address (ETH):
./CheckBalance --mode="single_address" --coin_name="eth" --address="0xc5451b523d5fffe1351337a221688a626806ad91a" --por_csv_filename=okx_por_202211222.csvTotal ETH Balance:
./CheckBalance --mode="single_coin_total_balance" --coin_name="eth" --por_csv_filename=okx_por_202211222.csvSupported coin names:BTC, ETH, ETH-ARBITRUM, ETH-OPTIMISM, USDT-ERC20, USDT-TRC20, USDT-POLY, USDT-AVAXC, USDT-ARBITRUM, USDT-OPTIMISM
Ensure results match the PoR file to confirm full reserve backing.
๐ See how real-time blockchain data confirms exchange transparency โ start verifying now.
โ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Proof of Reserves (PoR)?
A: PoR is a cryptographic method exchanges use to prove they hold sufficient assets to cover user deposits. It includes signed messages and on-chain balance snapshots.
Q: Why should I verify OKXโs reserves?
A: Independent verification ensures the exchange isnโt operating insolvently. It builds trust through transparency using open-source tools and public blockchain data.
Q: Do I need technical skills to verify?
A: Basic command-line knowledge helps, but step-by-step guides make it accessible even for non-developers. Tools are designed for public use.
Q: Can I verify without running a full node?
A: Yes! Use third-party APIs like OKLink or Infura to fetch historical balance data without syncing a node.
Q: How often does OKX publish PoR reports?
A: Regularly โ typically monthly or quarterly. Always use the latest snapshot for up-to-date verification.
Q: What if verification fails?
A: If discrepancies arise, double-check your setup (block height, RPC config). Persistent mismatches should be reported to OKX support for clarification.
๐ Core Keywords
- Proof of Reserves
- Verify OKX wallet
- Check crypto exchange solvency
- Blockchain balance verification
- Cryptographic ownership proof
- On-chain reserve audit
- Open-source verification tools
- OKX transparency report
๐ Take control of your crypto trust โ verify exchange reserves in minutes using blockchain truth.