OKX DEX has resumed its decentralized trading services after implementing a new real-time abuse detection system.
The relaunch follows the platform’s involvement in a $100 million laundering scheme linked to the North Korean Lazarus Group earlier this year.
Star Xu, CEO of OKX, confirmed the restart in a recent post, highlighting the introduction of tools that can detect and block suspicious activity across multiple blockchains. He described OKX Web3 as an essential tool in the crypto space, offering users access to thousands of dApps and cross-chain asset management with added security features.
Platform upgrades follow high-profile laundering case
In March 2025, OKX DEX was tied to one of the most significant laundering operations in crypto history. Around 8% of the stolen funds from a broader $1.5 billion crypto theft were reportedly moved through OKX’s decentralized services. Hackers used OKX’s Web3 proxy contracts to carry out anonymous transactions, raising red flags across the industry.
In response, the company temporarily suspended its DEX services on March 18. It then collaborated with compliance experts to enhance its monitoring systems. OKX has since upgraded its DEX aggregator with tools such as online abuse protection, real-time blacklist integration, IP banning, and instant wallet blacklisting.
Regulatory pressures mount in the wake of compliance failures
The relaunch comes amid mounting regulatory scrutiny. In April 2025, the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit in Malta fined OKCoin Europe €1.1 million for failing to meet anti-money laundering standards. The audit flagged weak controls around privacy coins and cross-border transactions.
The U.S. Department of Justice also took action against OKX in February. The company agreed to pay $505 million in penalties for running an unlicensed money transmission business. U.S. officials accused OKX of allowing large sums to move through its platform without adequate checks.As part of its response, OKX is aligning with the EU’s MiCA regulatory framework and has obtained a license in Malta to support legal operations across Europe.
Industry reaction to new detection tools
Experts in the crypto space view OKX’s live detection system as a positive step for decentralized security. The live detection system has become a new standard for compliance which supports Web3 accessibility. Further issues persist about the methods by which Lazarus and similar groups will be managed in the future.