OKX Expands European Footprint with Launch of Regulated X-Perps Derivatives

OKX has officially rolled out X-Perps, a specialized crypto derivatives platform designed for the European Economic Area (EEA). Operating through its MiFID-licensed entity in Malta, the exchange now provides regulated derivatives trading to both institutional and retail clients across 30 EEA countries. The launch is the culmination of a strategic expansion that began in March 2025 with the acquisition of a MiFID-licensed firm. By adhering to the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID), OKX aims to bridge the gap between high-performance crypto trading and stringent European regulatory standards. X-Perps features five-year expiry derivatives with leverage options up to 10x. To enhance flexibility, the platform supports multi-asset collateral, allowing users to margin their positions using euros, US dollars, or various crypto assets. Initial trading pairs include major assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and XRP, alongside high-volatility assets such as Dogecoin (DOGE) and Pepe (PEPE). This move solidifies OKX's position as a dominant force in the derivatives space. In the first quarter of 2026, OKX recorded a cumulative trading volume of $2.19 trillion, ranking it as the second-largest derivatives exchange globally behind Binance. The expansion highlights the ongoing trend of major exchanges seeking regulatory legitimacy to capture institutional flow in Europe.