Ring-fencing funds with sub-accounts and transfers in the OKX app

When everything sits in one balance, it is easy to trade more than you intended, to lose track of which coins belong to a long-term plan, or to give a trading tool access to far more than it needs. The OKX app offers ways to separate funds, including moving assets between account types and, for many users, creating sub-accounts with their own balances and settings. Used thoughtfully, these tools work like separate envelopes for different purposes. This guide explains how to plan the split, set up and name sub-accounts, move funds between them carefully, connect tools to a single ring-fenced balance, and review the arrangement regularly so it keeps matching your goals.

Plan the purpose of each balance

Start by writing down what your funds are for. A common split is one balance for active spot trading, one for any futures activity, one for a trading bot or third-party tool, and the remainder for holdings you do not plan to touch. Decide roughly how much belongs in each. The aim is that the amount exposed to any single activity is a deliberate choice rather than whatever happens to be in your main account. Keep this plan written down so you can compare it with reality later.

Create and label sub-accounts

Where available to your account, sub-accounts can be created from the account or profile section of the app. Give each a clear name that states its purpose, for example bot or futures practice, so you never confuse them when transferring. Each sub-account can have its own settings, and API keys can be created for a specific sub-account rather than the main one. Feature availability and menu names may change with app updates, so check the OKX help centre for the current steps if you cannot find the option.

Move funds between balances carefully

Internal transfers between your main account and sub-accounts, or between account types, happen within OKX and do not use a blockchain network. Before confirming, check the source, destination, asset and amount on the confirmation screen, especially when names look similar. Move only what the plan calls for. If you are funding a sub-account used by a trading tool, top it up in small steps rather than all at once, and record each transfer so your records show clearly which balance funded which activity.

Connect tools to one ring-fenced balance and review it

If you use a trading bot or portfolio tool, create its API key inside the dedicated sub-account so it can only see and act on that balance. Grant the minimum permissions and never enable withdrawals for third-party tools. Once a month, open each sub-account, compare balances with your plan and move funds back if any balance has grown beyond its purpose. Delete sub-account keys and empty sub-accounts you no longer use. Regular review keeps the separation meaningful instead of turning into a forgotten structure.

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Scenario checkpoint

• Write down the purpose and intended amount for each balance before creating any sub-accounts.
• Name every sub-account after its purpose so transfers between similar names are never confused.
• Check source, destination, asset and amount on the confirmation screen before each internal transfer.
• Create API keys inside the dedicated sub-account with minimum permissions and withdrawals disabled.
• Review each sub-account monthly and move funds back when a balance grows beyond its planned role.