Protecting your digital assets is a top priority in the world of cryptocurrency. One of the most effective ways to safeguard your funds during withdrawals is by enabling the allowlist feature. This security layer ensures that you can only send crypto to pre-approved addresses, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized transactions—even if your account is compromised.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to enable and manage the allowlist on your account, add verified addresses, understand withdrawal locks, and maintain long-term verification for trusted destinations.
What Is an Allowlist and Why It Matters
An allowlist (sometimes referred to as a "whitelist" in older terminology) is a security mechanism that restricts crypto withdrawals to only those wallet addresses you’ve explicitly saved in your address book. This means even if someone gains access to your account, they won’t be able to redirect funds to their own wallets unless those addresses are already approved.
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This feature is especially valuable for active traders, long-term holders, and institutional users who regularly transact with known counterparties. By limiting outbound transfers to trusted destinations, you add a critical layer of defense against phishing attacks and account breaches.
Key Benefits:
- Prevents unauthorized withdrawals
- Reduces human error when sending funds
- Works seamlessly with multi-signature and 2FA setups
- Supports both single and bulk address management
Step-by-Step: How to Enable Allowlist
Follow these clear steps to set up and activate the allowlist on your account:
1. Log In and Navigate to Withdrawal Settings
Start by logging into your account at okx.com. Once inside, go to the Assets section and select Withdraw.
2. Choose Your Cryptocurrency and Network
Select the cryptocurrency you wish to withdraw, then choose On-chain as the transfer method and click Next.
3. Access Your Address Book
You’ll now have two options:
- Enter a recipient address manually
- Select from previously saved addresses in your Address Book
If no addresses appear, click Add address or Manage address book to begin setting up your first verified destination.
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4. Add a New Address
Click Add address, then choose whether you're adding a single address or multiple ones at once.
Pro Tip: When adding an address, you can save it as a universal network address, meaning it can be used for withdrawing other cryptocurrencies that operate on the same blockchain (e.g., USDT and ETH on the Ethereum network).
5. Save as Verified Address
To skip future verification steps, check the box labeled Save as verified address before clicking Save. This allows faster withdrawals later without repeated authentication.
6. Activate the Allowlist
Go to your Address Book settings and toggle on:
- Allowlist only: Restricts withdrawals exclusively to saved addresses
- New address withdrawal lock: Adds a 24-hour waiting period before any newly added allowlisted address can be used
The combination of both settings offers maximum protection—especially useful if you manage large balances or share account access.
Managing Verification Periods: 30-Day vs. Permanent
One important update affecting all users is the introduction of time-limited verification for saved addresses.
What Is 30-Day Address Verification?
When an address is verified, its status remains active for 30 days from the last withdrawal. If no transaction occurs within that window:
- The verification expires
- Future withdrawals to that address will require re-verification
Each successful withdrawal resets the clock. For example:
A withdrawal made on July 4, 2024, at 7:00 AM UTC extends the verification period to August 3, 2024, at 7:00 AM UTC.
This rolling expiry encourages regular review of your trusted addresses and helps maintain high security hygiene.
How Does This Affect Existing Verified Addresses?
All previously verified addresses are now subject to this 30-day rule—even those marked as “permanently” verified in the past.
To restore long-term trust in your key destinations, you have two options:
- Wait for expiration, then re-verify the address with permanent status
- Delete and re-add the address, selecting permanent verification during setup
While this may seem like extra effort, it ensures that only actively used and consciously maintained addresses remain in your system.
How to Set Permanent Verification
By default, new addresses are verified for 30 days. To change this:
- Open your Address Book
- Find the saved address
- Click Change verification period
- Select Permanently verified
Once confirmed, no further re-verification will be required unless you manually remove or edit the entry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I disable the allowlist once it’s enabled?
A: Yes. You can turn off the allowlist in your Address Book settings. You’ll need to confirm the action using your Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) code before changes take effect.
Q: What happens if I try to withdraw to an unlisted address while allowlist is on?
A: The transaction will be blocked automatically. You must first add and verify the new address in your Address Book before proceeding.
Q: Is there a limit to how many addresses I can save?
A: There is no hard limit on the number of addresses you can store, but always ensure each one belongs to a trusted recipient.
Q: Does enabling allowlist slow down my withdrawals?
A: Not necessarily. If you're sending to a pre-verified address, the process is just as fast. However, new addresses under the 24-hour lock will require waiting before use.
Q: Can I use allowlist with all cryptocurrencies?
A: Yes, as long as the network supports on-chain transfers. The feature works across major blockchains including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tron, and more.
Q: Do I need KYC to use the allowlist?
A: While KYC isn't directly tied to allowlist functionality, most platforms require identity verification to enable withdrawals and advanced security features.
Final Thoughts: Build Long-Term Security Habits
Enabling the allowlist isn’t just a one-time setup—it’s part of a broader strategy for securing your digital wealth. Combined with strong passwords, 2FA, and periodic audits of your address book, it forms a robust defense against modern cyber threats.
Whether you're making frequent trades or holding long-term investments, taking control of where your crypto goes gives you peace of mind in an unpredictable landscape.
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By understanding how verification periods work and proactively managing your trusted addresses, you future-proof your account against evolving risks—without sacrificing convenience.
Stay vigilant, stay verified, and keep your assets moving safely only where you intend them to go.