What's my company type and which documents should I prepare?

Published on Oct 13, 2023Updated on Apr 29, 20244 min read14

Thank you for choosing OKX for your institutional needs! To help you expedite the institutional verification process, below are some tips that may help you determine the structural nature of your company and which documents to prepare.

How do I know my company type?

  • Refer to official legal documents
    On your certificate of incorporation and/or business registration, there should be indicators assigned by the government agency responsible for issuing such documents stating the nature of your company. Memorandums and articles of association and similar formation documents can also be of help.

  • Review your company structure
    Additionally, you can review your company's ownership structure, division of management, and governance model to identify the most appropriate classification for its legal structure, i.e., if it is privately owned, publicly traded, or has Ultimate Beneficial Owners.

  • Choose the appropriate type based on the criteria below
    Combined with knowledge of your company's ownership structure, you should be able to find the company type or its equivalence listed below.

  • You may also consult others from your company
    If you are still unsure, try reaching out to the following individuals or departments within your company:

    • Legal team: The legal team within your company can provide guidance on legal matters, including company classification and compliance issues.

    • Accounting department: The accounting department may have insights into your company's financial structure and regulatory requirements, which can help in identifying the appropriate company type.

    • Corporate secretary: The corporate secretary or governance officer is responsible for maintaining company records and can provide information about the company's legal structure.

    • Compliance officer: If your company has a compliance department, the compliance officer can assist with regulatory compliance matters and confirming company classification.

    • Senior management: You can also approach senior executives or management personnel who have more in-depth knowledge of the company's structure and operations.

If necessary, you may also consider seeking advice from external legal or financial consultants who specialize in corporate matters.

Which company types are supported by OKX and which documents should I prepare based on my company type?

Below are the company types supported by OKX and their brief definitions. Click on the company type that you have chosen to see the detailed document requirements.

  • Privately owned financial institution
    Privately owned financial institutions are entities such as money service businesses, money transmitters, broker-dealers, or banks. They are not publicly traded, and have less than 50% government ownership.

  • Privately owned operating company
    Privately owned operating companies are entities providing products or services, such as a plumbing company, jewelry business, accounting firm, or import-export business. They are not publicly traded or financial institutions, and have less than 50% government ownership.

  • Fund
    Funds are collective investment vehicles established by pooling money from investors, such as hedge funds, pension funds, mutual funds, and private investment funds.

  • Publicly traded company
    Publicly traded companies are corporations with distributed ownership among public shareholders through publicly-traded stock shares.

  • Government-owned enterprise
    Government-owned enterprises are government agencies, ministries, or companies or funds with 50% or greater national or local government ownership.

  • Private investment vehicle or family office
    Private investment vehicles or family offices are entities set up to facilitate trading, investing, or other financial transactions using the personal wealth of the companies’ ultimate beneficial owners.

  • Non-profit
    Non-profits are charity or non-governmental organizations for collective, public, or social benefits, distinct from profit-driven businesses, with any surplus funds reinvested towards their mission.

  • Trust
    Trusts are legal arrangements in which grantors or settlors entrust trustees to manage assets for the beneficiaries of said assets.

The information collected is for the sole purpose of completing institutional verification. If you have any questions, please contact our customer support or reach out to support@okx.com .