How to Verify OKX Ownership and Wallet Address Balance

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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 OKXโ€™s 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.


๐Ÿ”ง Pre-Check Preparation

Before diving into verification, ensure your environment is set up correctly:

  1. 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.
  2. Download the latest reserve snapshot CSV file
    Contains wallet addresses, asset types, balances, messages, and signatures at a specific block height.
  3. Store both the PoR data and tools in the same folder
    Example: ~/Downloads/proof-of-reserves
  4. Choose your verification path:

๐Ÿ‘‰ 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.

๐Ÿ” Supported Wallet Types

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 OKXโ€™s Open-Source Tool

Step 1: Open Your Terminal

Step 2: Navigate to the Folder

cd ~/Downloads/proof-of-reserves

Step 3: Run the Verification Command

On Mac:

./VerifyAddress --por_csv_filename=okx_por_202211222.csv

On Windows:

VerifyAddress.exe --por_csv_filename=okx_por_202211222.csv
๐Ÿ’ก 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 passed

This confirms OKX owns every listed reserve address.

โš ๏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

  1. Open the PoR CSV file.
  2. Copy the address, message, and signature fields.
  3. Go to a trusted signature verifier (e.g., Bitcoin Core or online tools).
  4. Paste the data and submit.

โœ… A valid result confirms OKX controls that address.

This method works for:


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.

๐Ÿ“Š Two Key Checks:

  1. Individual address balance vs. PoR file
  2. Total asset balance across all addresses vs. reported total

To query balances at historical block heights, youโ€™ll need access to an archive node via:


2.1 Verify BTC Address Balance

Step 1: Set Up a Bitcoin Core Node

  1. Download Bitcoin Core (v0.21+)
  2. Configure bitcoin.conf:

    server=1
    rpcuser=OKX
    rpcpassword=OKXWallet

    File path: ~/.bitcoin/bitcoin.conf

  3. Start the node:

    ./bitcoind
  4. Wait for full sync (~12 hours)
  5. Rewind to snapshot block height:

    • Find the next blockโ€™s 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.csv

Check Total BTC Balance:

./CheckBalance --mode="single_coin_total_balance" --coin_name="btc" --por_csv_filename=okx_por_202211222.csv

Compare output with the CSV โ€” they should match exactly.


2.2 Verify ETH / USDT and Multi-Chain Balances

OKX publishes reserves across multiple chains:

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

  1. Log in to OKLink
  2. Go to API Management
  3. 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.csv

Total ETH Balance:

./CheckBalance --mode="single_coin_total_balance" --coin_name="eth" --por_csv_filename=okx_por_202211222.csv

Supported 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.

๐Ÿ‘‰ See how real-time blockchain data confirms exchange transparency โ€” start verifying now.


โœ… 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 OKXโ€™s reserves?

A: Independent verification ensures the exchange isnโ€™t 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.


๐Ÿ” Core Keywords


๐Ÿ‘‰ Take control of your crypto trust โ€” verify exchange reserves in minutes using blockchain truth.