Updated Rules checked 2026-10-11
Can you change your referral code? As of 2026-10-15, based on the official rules summarized in the table below, 8 of the 13 exchanges let an account with no referrer add one after sign-up: Binance, Bybit, MEXC, BingX, Pionex and Ourbit let you add it yourself, OKX requires a switch request, and KuCoin requires a “Link Referrer” request that it reviews (checked 2026-10-22). Only 2 exchanges, OKX and Bybit, let an account that already has a referrer switch, while BingX lets you use Identity Transfer to move your KYC to an account registered with a new referral code, and KuCoin accepts an “Unlink Referrer” request but doesn’t say whether you can link someone else afterward. For the other 5, Bitget, Gate, XT.COM, WEEX and HTX, the official rules say a code can’t be added, or no official way to add or change one can be found.
Switching a referral code means adding a referrer after you’ve already signed up, or replacing your current referrer with someone else. On most exchanges, a referral can’t be changed once it’s bound, and whether and how you can add one differs from exchange to exchange. This is the overview: a table comparing 13 exchanges first, then links to each exchange’s full switch guide.
The official rules below were checked on 2026-10-11 and are provided for reference.
Which exchanges let you add or switch a referral code?
| Exchange | No referrer yet | Already have a referrer | Official source | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binance | Within 30 days of sign-up, with no deposits or trades, you can add one yourself; accounts registered more than 90 days ago with no trades in the last 90 days can bind through an affiliate’s recall link (checked 2026-10-15); accounts with trading history can use a switch request started by an affiliate | No: Binance states that a referral can’t be changed or removed once it’s established | Adding a referrer, Recall program, Switch requests | Full guide |
| OKX | Can’t be added directly after sign-up; you have to go through the switch process | Yes, with conditions: a switch request (criteria not public), or reassignment after 180 days of inactivity | Affiliate FAQ, Affiliate program rules | Full guide |
| Bybit | An affiliate’s code can be added within 14 days of sign-up | You can’t change it yourself; after 180 consecutive days without trading, coming back to trade through a new affiliate’s link reassigns you | Adding an affiliate code, Affiliate terms | Full guide |
| MEXC | Within 30 days of sign-up, you can bind an inviter yourself | No: MEXC states that a binding can’t be changed or removed | Self-service linking guide, Affiliate FAQ | Full guide |
| BingX | If you haven’t deposited (including buying crypto) or invited any friends, you can add one under “My Inviter” | The original account can’t be changed; BingX’s official Identity Transfer lets you move your KYC to an account registered with a new referral code | Account settings FAQ, Identity Transfer | Full guide |
| Pionex | You can add one within 14 days of sign-up (within 3 days if you’ve placed a trade) | No: Pionex states that it can’t be changed under any circumstances | Refill referral code | Full guide |
| Ourbit | You can add one under “Bind referrer” on the referral page; no deadline is stated officially | No: Ourbit states that users who are already bound can’t change | Referral page | Full guide |
| Bitget | No official process for adding one found | No official switch process found; inviting users who have already registered isn’t recognized | Partner program announcement | Full guide |
| Gate | Not stated officially | Not stated officially; each user can register through only one referral method | Referral rules | Full guide |
| KuCoin | You can submit a “Link Referrer” request in the Help Center’s Self-Service section, which KuCoin reviews; the deadline and conditions aren’t stated (checked 2026-10-22) | You can request “Unlink Referrer”, which KuCoin reviews; it doesn’t say whether you can link a different referrer afterward | Sign-up guide (the old 2017 rule; a request option now exists) | Full guide |
| XT.COM | No official process for adding one found | No official switch process found | Referral rewards | Full guide |
| WEEX | No official way to add one found | No: WEEX states that the referral can’t be changed after successful sign-up | Sign-up help | Full guide |
| HTX | No official process for adding one found | No official switch process found | Invite and trade reward rules | Full guide |
What should you know before switching a referral code?
- First check whether your account has a referrer now: which route you can take depends on whether the account currently has a referrer; where to check at each exchange is covered in the referral code lookup guide.
- Fees paid before the switch aren’t counted retroactively: rebates start only once the new referral takes effect. OKX also states that switching doesn’t carry rebates from the original channel over to the new one.
- Deleting your account and signing up again is risky: Binance states that if its system detects an account closed and a new one opened to get referral benefits, it has the right to terminate all referral commission on the new account. OKX states that deleting an account and re-registering to change referrers may be treated as a violation, affecting your account and your eligibility for rewards.
- Don’t use someone else’s identity: every exchange prohibits registering with another person’s account or identity documents.
How do you switch your referral code on each exchange?
Binance
A referral can’t be changed once established, so this only applies to accounts without a referrer: within 30 days of sign-up, with no deposits or trades, you can add one yourself on the binding page. Older accounts registered more than 90 days ago with no trades in the last 90 days can bind through an affiliate’s recall link, and Binance sets no trading volume threshold for it. Accounts that have already traded can use the affiliate switch request launched on 2026-09-28, which requires 150,000 USD in trading volume within 30 days of submitting. Binance states that closing an account and re-registering may lead to the new account’s referral commission being terminated. For the full conditions and steps, see Binance referral switch guide.
OKX
A referral usually can’t be added or changed once an account is created, but OKX has two official channels. The first is a switch request: use the affiliate’s recall link, or enter the affiliate’s channel ID on the switch page (to switch to this site, enter KEVINWU). The system usually reviews it within 24 hours, the criteria aren’t public, and requests must be 30 days apart. The second: after 180 days with no deposits, trades or other activity, logging in through a new affiliate’s link reassigns you. For the full conditions and steps, see OKX referral switch guide.
Gate
No official process for adding or changing a referrer after sign-up could be found, and each user can register through only one referral method. The often-quoted “you can bind within 7 days” is a Gate Wallet rule, not one for exchange accounts. Before opening another account with a new email address, ask Gate support first, because the user agreement prohibits using multiple accounts. For the full details, see Gate referral switch guide.
Bitget
No official process for adding or switching a referrer after sign-up could be found, and Bitget’s affiliate announcement states that inviting users who have already registered isn’t recognized. The terms of service say individual users can’t hold more than one account, and after deleting an account you have to wait 30 days before registering again with the same details. For the full details, see Bitget referral switch guide.
Bybit
An affiliate’s code can be added within 14 days of sign-up. After 14 days there’s no switch request; only after 180 consecutive days with under 1 USD in trading volume, coming back to trade through a new affiliate’s link reassigns you. Identity transfer is an official feature; this site has confirmed that the affiliate code the new account was registered with stays valid after it receives the identity, though Bybit’s help pages don’t say so. For the full conditions and steps, see Bybit referral switch guide.
MEXC
Within 30 days of sign-up, if you have no referrer yet, you can add one with MEXC’s official self-service inviter binding. The referrer must have registered before you. Once bound, it can’t be changed or removed, and there’s no switch request. For the full conditions and steps, see MEXC referral switch guide.
BingX
If you haven’t deposited or invited any friends, you can add a referral code yourself. If you’re already bound or have deposited, BingX’s official Identity Transfer can move your advanced KYC to an unverified account registered with a new referral code; after a transfer, neither account can transfer again for 180 days. For the full conditions and steps, see BingX KYC transfer guide.
Pionex
You can add a referral code within 14 days of sign-up, or only 3 days if you’ve placed a trade since signing up; once bound, it can’t be changed. If you close your account and open a new one, Pionex states that 30 days must pass before a new account can be created. For the full conditions and steps, see Pionex referral switch guide.
Ourbit
Accounts without a referrer can add one under “Bind referrer” on the referral page; a bound referrer can’t be changed. If you open another account with a new email, mind the user agreement’s rules on a single account and linked accounts. For the full conditions and steps, see Ourbit referral switch guide.
KuCoin
If you didn’t enter a referral code at sign-up, you can now submit a “Link Referrer” request in the Self-Service section of the Help Center, and if you already have a referrer, you can request “Unlink Referrer”; KuCoin reviews both and doesn’t state a deadline, conditions or review time (checked 2026-10-22). Each person can verify only one account, so opening a new account works only for people whose old account was never verified. For the full conditions and steps, see KuCoin referral switch guide.
XT.COM
Referral codes can only be entered at sign-up, and no official process for adding or changing one could be found. If you open a new account, each user can verify only one account, and after an account is deleted the same details can’t be used to register again. For the full conditions and steps, see XT.COM referral switch guide.
WEEX
The referral can’t be changed after successful sign-up. A new account can carry a new referral code, but the user agreement allows only one account per person (unless WEEX agrees). For the full conditions and steps, see WEEX referral switch guide.
HTX
No official process for adding or changing an inviter could be found; the only option is opening another account with a new email address or phone number. One identity can verify only one account, and re-registering after closing an account doesn’t count as a valid referral. For the full conditions and steps, see HTX referral switch guide.
How do you switch through Fee Otter?
- Sign up for Fee Otter, and first check that your account meets the exchange’s official conditions above.
- If you need a switch link, channel ID or affiliate ID, get it from Fee Otter’s support.
- Submit the request through the exchange’s official process, then wait for the review or reach the trading volume requirement.
- Bind your UID on Fee Otter. It needs only your UID, never your password or an API key. Rebates usually show up in your history the next day; if nothing appears after more than two days, give your UID to support so they can check.
The extra rebate is paid by Fee Otter, not the exchange, and not Kevin Wu. For how rebate sites differ, see how to choose a rebate site.
FAQ
What’s the difference between switching and adding a referral code?
Adding means the account had no referrer and you add one after sign-up; switching usually means replacing your referrer with someone else. Most exchanges only allow adding, and only within a time limit; each exchange’s rules are in can you add a referral code after sign-up.
Will switching affect my VIP level?
OKX states that it won’t: affiliate assignment and VIP level are separate. Other exchanges don’t say.
Do I need to give my password or an API key to switch?
No. You submit the switch yourself on the exchange’s official page, and a rebate site only needs your UID. Never give anyone who asks for your password, a verification code or an API key; see how to spot a rebate scam.
I already have a referrer. Which exchanges still let me switch?
Only OKX and Bybit have official channels. On OKX, you can submit a switch request, or, after 180 days with no deposits, trades or other activity, log in through a new affiliate’s link to be reassigned. On Bybit, you’re reassigned only after 180 consecutive days without trading, when you come back to trade through a new affiliate’s link.
BingX’s “Identity Transfer” moves your advanced KYC to an account registered with a new referral code; the original account’s referrer doesn’t change. Other exchanges state that a referrer can’t be changed, or no process for changing one could be found. For each exchange’s details, see the switch guides for OKX, Bybit and BingX.
How long after sign-up can I still add a referral code?
It varies by exchange; among those that state a deadline, the longest is 30 days. On Binance, you can add one yourself within 30 days of sign-up if you haven’t deposited or traded; MEXC allows self-service binding within 30 days of sign-up; Bybit and Pionex allow 14 days, and Pionex only 3 days if you’ve placed a trade; BingX requires you to add it before you deposit (including buying crypto) or invite friends; Ourbit doesn’t state a deadline.
KuCoin lets you submit a “Link Referrer” request, which it reviews without stating any conditions, while no process for adding one could be found for Bitget, Gate, XT.COM, WEEX or HTX. For the full rundown, see can you add a referral code after sign-up.
Can I change referrers by deleting my account and signing up again?
This isn’t recommended. Binance states that if it detects an account was closed and a new one opened to get referral benefits, it may terminate the new account’s referral commission; OKX states that doing so may be treated as a violation; HTX treats re-registering after deletion as an invalid referral.
Some exchanges also restrict re-registering: after an XT.COM account is deleted, the same email, phone number and ID document can’t be used to register again; on Bitget you have to wait 30 days before registering again with the same details, and Pionex also requires 30 days before a new account can be created.