In today’s fast-evolving digital economy, seamless and secure financial tools are essential. One such solution is Pay, an intelligent wallet designed to simplify crypto transactions while enhancing security and user experience. With support for password-free and facial recognition payments, Pay enables fast sending and receiving of popular stablecoins like USDC and USDT across multiple blockchain networks—including X Layer, TRON, and Ethereum-compatible chains.
Transactions on X Layer are especially cost-efficient, as they require no additional fees. To ensure maximum security, Pay integrates advanced technologies such as passkeys, multi-signature protocols, and ZK Email recovery, giving users full control over their assets without compromising convenience.
Beyond basic transfers, Pay supports direct asset exchanges between exchange accounts and external wallets. It also features built-in social capabilities—users can send money directly within chat conversations or distribute group红包 (red packets), making it ideal for both personal and community-based financial interactions. While most functions are intuitive, standard Gas fees apply when interacting with external wallet addresses on supported networks.
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Requirements to Activate Pay
Before you can start using Pay, certain prerequisites must be met to ensure compliance, security, and technical compatibility:
- An active OKX platform account – You must have successfully registered and logged into your personal OKX account.
- Completed identity verification (KYC) – Your account must pass the platform’s identity authentication process.
- Passkey creation completed – A unique passkey must be generated during setup. Note: Android devices require access to Google services for this step.
- Location eligibility – Your verified residence must not be in a restricted jurisdiction.
- Updated app version – Ensure your OKX app is updated to the latest release. For optimal performance, iOS 16+ or Android 7+ is recommended.
Meeting these conditions ensures a smooth activation process and unlocks access to all of Pay’s core features.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Activate Pay
Activating your Pay account is straightforward and only takes a few minutes. Follow these steps:
1. Switch to the Pay Homepage
Open the OKX app and locate the tab at the top labeled [Exchange]. Tap it to switch to [Pay], then select [Try Now] to proceed.
2. Follow On-Screen Activation Instructions
Once in the Pay section, tap [Activate Pay]. The system will prompt you through necessary security verifications—these may vary slightly depending on your device and region but typically include biometric authentication or two-factor verification.
After completing the required checks, your Pay account will be activated instantly.
You’re now ready to send, receive, and manage digital assets with enhanced speed and security.
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Why Is a Passkey Required to Activate Pay?
The use of a passkey is central to Pay’s security model. Here’s why it’s mandatory:
- Smart Contract Wallet Infrastructure: Unlike traditional wallets, Pay operates on a smart contract-based architecture. This allows for advanced functionality such as customizable transaction rules and improved fund recovery options.
- Automatic Passkey Generation: When you create a Pay account, a cryptographic passkey is automatically generated and securely stored on your device.
- Transaction Authorization: Every transaction within the Pay environment must be signed using your passkey. This eliminates reliance on passwords or seed phrases, reducing risks associated with phishing or human error.
By leveraging passkeys, Pay delivers a modern, secure, and user-friendly experience aligned with the future of digital identity.
What’s the Difference Between Exchange Passkeys and Pay Passkeys?
It's important to understand that Pay passkeys and Exchange passkeys serve different purposes and operate independently:
- Separate Systems: These are two distinct authentication mechanisms. Even if you already use a passkey to log in to your exchange account or confirm trades, you’ll still need to create a new one specifically for Pay.
- Function-Specific Use: Your Exchange passkey is used exclusively for actions within the trading interface—such as logging in or approving withdrawals—while your Pay passkey authorizes transactions made through the Pay wallet.
- No Cross-Compatibility: Neither passkey can substitute for the other. They are cryptographically isolated to prevent unauthorized access across platforms.
This separation enhances overall security by minimizing attack surfaces and ensuring compartmentalized access control.
Why You Should Avoid Third-Party Passkey Managers
While some users may consider storing their passkeys in third-party password managers or external apps, this practice is strongly discouraged for several critical reasons:
- Lack of Risk Detection: Many third-party tools do not offer granular safeguards against accidental deletion or overwrite events.
- Irreversible Loss Risk: If a passkey is deleted or corrupted in an unsupported environment, recovery becomes extremely difficult—or impossible—putting your entire wallet at risk.
- System Conflicts: On certain operating systems (especially iOS), using non-native tools may lead to passkey conflicts or overwrites due to poor synchronization protocols.
Instead, we recommend using your device’s native passkey manager:
- For Apple users: Utilize the built-in Passwords app (available in iCloud Keychain) to store and sync your passkeys securely across devices.
- For Android users: Ensure Google Password Manager is enabled and synced with your Google account.
Native solutions provide end-to-end encryption, automatic backup, and seamless integration with the Pay activation flow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I use Pay without completing KYC?
No. Identity verification is mandatory to activate Pay. This requirement helps comply with global regulatory standards and enhances platform security.
Q2: Is there a fee to send assets via Pay?
Sending assets on X Layer incurs no additional fees. However, transactions on other networks like Ethereum or TRON will require standard Gas fees paid in the native token (e.g., ETH or TRX).
Q3: What happens if I lose my device with the passkey?
If you’ve used your device’s native passkey manager (e.g., iCloud Keychain or Google Password Manager), you can recover your passkey on a new device after signing in with your credentials. Always ensure backups are enabled.
Q4: Can I transfer funds between my exchange balance and Pay wallet?
Yes. Direct transfers between your OKX exchange account and Pay wallet are supported, allowing for seamless movement of USDC, USDT, and other compatible assets.
Q5: Does Pay support cryptocurrencies other than USDC and USDT?
Currently, Pay primarily supports USDC and USDT across multiple chains. Support for additional tokens may be introduced in future updates.
Q6: Can I use Pay on desktop?
At this time, Pay is only available through the mobile version of the OKX app. Desktop functionality is limited to viewing balances and transaction history.
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By combining cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure with intuitive design and robust security measures, Pay redefines what a digital wallet can do. Whether you're splitting bills with friends or managing cross-chain transactions, Pay offers a streamlined experience built for the future of finance.
With proper setup and adherence to best practices—especially around passkey management—you can enjoy greater control, privacy, and efficiency in every transaction.