How to trade with sub-accounts on OKX? (Portfolio management)

Creating Sub-Accounts on OKX

1. Log in to your OKX main account via web or mobile application.

2. Navigate to the Account Settings section and select Sub-Account Management.

3. Click Create Sub-Account, enter a unique name, and assign permissions such as spot trading, futures trading, or withdrawal rights.

4. Confirm creation using your email or SMS verification code.

5. Each sub-account receives its own API key system, isolated asset balance, and independent transaction history.

Funding Sub-Accounts

1. From the main account dashboard, go to Assets → Sub-Account Transfer.

2. Select the target sub-account and choose the cryptocurrency or stablecoin to transfer.

3. Enter the amount and confirm with your password or two-factor authentication.

4. Transfers between main and sub-accounts are instant and fee-free across all supported assets.

5. Sub-accounts cannot initiate outbound transfers to external wallets unless explicitly granted withdrawal permission during setup.

Trading Across Sub-Accounts

1. Switch to a specific sub-account using the dropdown menu in the top-right corner of the OKX interface.

2. All trading interfaces — spot, margin, perpetual swaps — reflect only that sub-account’s balance and open positions.

3. Order placement, leverage configuration, and stop-loss settings operate independently per sub-account.

4. Margin calls and liquidation events affect only the involved sub-account; no cross-margin exposure exists between them.

5. Trade history, PnL reports, and funding fee records remain strictly segregated within each sub-account’s analytics tab.

API Integration and Automation

1. Generate API keys for each sub-account separately under API Management.

2. Assign granular permissions: trade execution, read-only access, or withdrawal capability — none inherit from the main account.

3. API requests signed with a sub-account key cannot access main account data or trigger actions outside its scope.

4. Rate limits and IP whitelisting apply individually per API key, enabling strict control over bot behavior and third-party integrations.

5. Revoking a sub-account’s API key instantly terminates all associated automated strategies without impacting other accounts.

Security and Risk Isolation

1. Compromise of one sub-account does not grant access to others or the main account credentials.

2. Withdrawal restrictions can be enforced at creation time, locking assets inside designated sub-accounts indefinitely.

3. Two-factor authentication is mandatory for every sub-account login, even when using the same device.

4. Activity logs record every action — including fund transfers, API key generation, and permission changes — with timestamps and IP addresses.

5. Sub-accounts support hardware wallet binding for cold storage integration, allowing secure custody of long-term holdings separate from active trading capital.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can a sub-account trade futures while the main account holds only spot assets?A: Yes. Futures trading capability depends solely on the sub-account’s assigned permissions and its own margin balance — not on the main account’s asset composition.

Q: Do sub-accounts share the same KYC level as the main account?A: No. Each sub-account operates under the verification status of its creator. However, withdrawal limits and fiat onboarding options are determined by the main account’s KYC tier.

Q: Is it possible to merge balances from multiple sub-accounts into one?A: Not automatically. Balances must be manually transferred back to the main account first, then redistributed as needed — no native merge function exists.

Q: Can I set different leverage levels for each sub-account on perpetual contracts?A: Yes. Leverage configuration is fully independent per sub-account and can be adjusted before opening any position without affecting others.