FAQ: Travel Rule for EEA Customers

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Starting December 30, 2024, the Travel Rule—an international financial regulation aimed at preventing money laundering and illicit financial activity—will apply to cryptocurrency transactions involving customers in the European Economic Area (EEA). As part of compliance with EU regulatory standards, additional transaction details must now be collected and verified during crypto deposits and withdrawals.

This guide explains how the Travel Rule affects your experience on OKX, what information is required, and how to ensure seamless transfers—whether you're sending funds to a private wallet or another exchange.

What Is the Travel Rule?

The Travel Rule, originally established by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), requires virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to share specific sender and recipient information during crypto transfers. In the EEA, this rule ensures greater transparency and helps combat financial crime in the digital asset space.

👉 Learn how to stay compliant and secure your crypto transactions today.

For OKX users in the EEA, this means providing verified personal details when making or receiving certain crypto transfers—especially those involving private wallets or non-compliant exchanges.

How Does the Travel Rule Affect You?

The Travel Rule applies to all crypto deposits and withdrawals for EEA-based customers. Depending on the type of transfer—whether it’s to or from a private wallet or a crypto exchange—different requirements apply.

1. Transfers Involving Private Wallets

A private (non-custodial) wallet is one you control independently, such as a hardware wallet (e.g., Ledger, Trezor) or a self-hosted software wallet.

When using private wallets:

Tip: Always ensure the sender’s name matches their verified identity on their platform to avoid failed transactions.

2. Transfers Between Exchanges

When sending or receiving crypto between exchanges:

Note: If your preferred exchange isn’t listed, ask them to contact OKX support so we can establish a compliant Travel Rule connection.

Supported Exchanges Under the Travel Rule

To ensure smooth cross-platform transfers, OKX has integrated Travel Rule compliance with the following exchanges:

If your exchange isn’t listed, it may not yet support Travel Rule requirements. However, new connections are being added regularly.

👉 Discover how OKX ensures secure, compliant transfers across global platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does the Travel Rule affect my trading activity on OKX?

No. The Travel Rule only impacts crypto deposits and withdrawals. Your ability to trade, stake, or use other financial products on OKX remains unchanged.

Q2: What happens if I don’t provide the required information?

If you fail to submit necessary details—such as recipient names or wallet verification data—your transaction may be delayed or rejected. To avoid disruptions, always complete all required fields accurately.

Q3: What qualifies as a private wallet?

A private (or non-custodial) wallet is a self-managed cryptocurrency storage solution where you hold the private keys. Examples include hardware wallets, cold storage, and decentralized software wallets like MetaMask or Trust Wallet.

Q4: Can I still send crypto to my cold wallet?

Yes. However, for transfers exceeding €1,000, you may need to complete wallet ownership verification via cryptographic signature or Satoshi test.

Q5: How do I verify ownership of my private wallet?

You can verify ownership in two ways:

Both methods securely confirm you own the wallet without compromising your private keys.

Q6: What should I do if a deposit fails due to name mismatch?

Verify that the sender used your exact legal name as registered and verified on OKX. Discrepancies—even minor ones like missing middle names—can trigger verification failures. If unsure, contact OKX customer support for clarification.

Q7: Why is my deposit locked?

Deposits may be temporarily held if the sending exchange or custodian hasn’t submitted required Travel Rule data under EU regulations. To resolve this:

  1. Contact the sending platform.

  2. Request they reach out to OKX at [email protected] with:

    • Transaction hash (txhash)
    • Token type
    • Amount sent
    • Deposit address

We’ll coordinate directly with them to release your funds—provided they comply with Travel Rule standards.

How Do I Know If an Exchange Supports the Travel Rule?

If an exchange appears in the dropdown menu during withdrawal, OKX has already established a compliant Travel Rule connection. If not, the exchange likely hasn’t implemented the necessary infrastructure yet.

In such cases:

Please note: We cannot enable unsupported exchanges until they meet EU regulatory requirements.

What If I Send Funds from a Non-Compliant Exchange?

If you initiate a transfer from an exchange that doesn’t support the Travel Rule:

  1. The deposit may be blocked or delayed.
  2. Contact the sending exchange and ask them to submit the required Travel Rule information via email to [email protected] with full transaction details.
  3. OKX will review and process once compliance is confirmed.

Until then, we’re unable to credit the funds due to EU regulatory obligations.

Expanding Compliance: Help Us Connect More Platforms

If your preferred exchange isn’t yet supported under the Travel Rule framework, encourage them to reach out to us. Our team is actively building partnerships to expand interoperability while maintaining strict compliance with EEA financial regulations.

👉 Stay ahead of compliance—secure your crypto journey with OKX’s trusted infrastructure.

Core Keywords:

By understanding and following these guidelines, EEA users can ensure uninterrupted, secure, and legally compliant cryptocurrency transactions on OKX. As global regulations evolve, staying informed is key to navigating the future of digital finance.