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- OKX has admitted to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business in the United States
- The cryptocurrency exchange has agreed to pay more than $500 million in fines and forfeitures
- U.S. authorities have highlighted OKX’s role in facilitating over $5 billion in suspicious transactions
Aux Cayes FinTech Co. Ltd., the operator of the cryptocurrency exchange OKX, has pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business in the United States. The Seychelles-based company has consented to pay penalties exceeding $500 million, addressing violations of U.S. anti-money laundering (AML) laws and its involvement in facilitating billions in suspicious transactions. The deal was revealed yesterday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York, which argued that OKX “knowingly violated anti-money laundering laws” and aided in hiding illegally obtained funds.
OKX Admits Guilt
On February 24, 2025, Aux Cayes FinTech Co. Ltd., doing business as OKX, entered a guilty plea in the Southern District of New York. The company acknowledged operating without the necessary licenses and failing to implement required AML policies. As part of the plea agreement, OKX will pay an $84.4 million fine and forfeit $420.3 million, totaling over $504 million in penalties.
This resolution also mandates the appointment of an external compliance consultant to oversee the company’s adherence to AML regulations through February 2027.
Six Years of Illegal Activity
U.S. authorities revealed that from 2018 to early 2024, OKX facilitated more than $5 billion in suspicious transactions and criminal proceeds. Despite policies prohibiting U.S. customers, the platform allowed them to conduct over $1 trillion in transactions, generating substantial fees and profits.
Prosecutors noted that OKX employees sometimes encouraged customers to bypass geographic restrictions by providing false information. Additionally, the company promoted its services within the U.S., including sponsorships like the Tribeca Film Festival in Manhattan.
Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky emphasized the severity of OKX’s actions:
For over seven years, OKX knowingly violated anti-money laundering laws and avoided implementing required policies to prevent criminals from abusing our financial system. As a result, OKX was used to facilitate over five billion dollars’ worth of suspicious transactions and criminal proceeds.
In response to the plea, Aux Cayes FinTech attributed the infractions to “legacy compliance gaps” and stated that U.S. customers constituted a minor portion of their user base, who are no longer serviced by the platform. The company has committed to enhancing its compliance measures to prevent future violations and to align with international regulatory standards.
