Updated Rules checked 2026-10-11
A referral code has to be bound at the moment you sign up, and most exchanges don’t let you change it once registration is complete. The most common problem: you tap a referral link, but go to the app store, download the app first and register inside the app. This guide collects what each exchange officially says, and how to check that the referral code is bound before and after you sign up.
The information below comes from each exchange’s official pages, checked on 2026-10-11, and is provided for reference.
The short answer
- OKX and XT.COM state officially that downloading the app first may stop the code from binding. OKX is also the only exchange that publishes a device-binding period (30 days).
- The other exchanges don’t mention the app specifically. Their rule is the same: when you sign up, come in through the referral link or fill in the referral code field.
- The safest approach: complete registration directly on the web page the referral link opens, check the referral code field before submitting, and download the app and log in only after you’ve signed up.
Why might a referral code fail to bind when you sign up in the app?
The OKX referral program FAQ lists three common situations: after opening the referral link, you download the app separately and register in it, so the code carried by the link may not be applied; you opened a registration page earlier through an ad or another channel’s link, so that earlier channel takes the attribution; or problems with incognito mode or the browser cache. OKX states that attribution is based on “the channel recorded when registration is completed” (OKX referral program FAQ).
OKX also states that if you clicked a referral link or downloaded an app carrying a referral code within the past 30 days, that code may already be bound to your device. If the browser cache hasn’t been cleared, scanning a QR code or using another download link later may also reuse the old referral code, and you can’t enter a different one (OKX referral program explainer). A referral code brought in from a paid ad channel can’t be changed on the registration page either (OKX affiliate FAQ).
XT.COM describes a similar case: if, before opening your referral link, the person had already downloaded the XT app through an ad or another referral channel that was already bound, and then registers with that app, the referral relationship won’t belong to your link (XT.COM referral rewards explainer).
How do you sign up without missing the referral code?
- Open the referral link and complete registration on that same web page. On the web, OKX recommends registering directly on the page the link opens. On a phone, first bind your email on the invitation page, then download and open the app from the link and register with the same email.
- Check the referral code field before submitting. It should contain the code you want to use; if it wasn’t filled in automatically, enter it manually.
- If the field already shows a different referral code: OKX recommends reopening the referral link in an incognito browser window and checking the field again before you register.
- Download the app after registration is complete, and just log in with the same account.
Where is the referral code field when you sign up on each exchange?
| Exchange | App vs. web notes | Referral code field |
|---|---|---|
| Binance | No app restriction stated officially; each person can register with only one referral mode | Filled in automatically when you come in through a referral link, with a green check and “Linked” next to it; can’t be changed once bound |
| OKX | Downloading the app first may stop the code from binding; a referral link clicked within 30 days may be bound to the device; a code brought in from a paid ad channel can’t be changed | Expand the “Referral code (optional)” field to enter it; if you can’t see the field, register through a referral link instead |
| Bitget | Not stated officially | Optional referral code field after you set a password |
| Gate | Not stated officially; registering from an affiliate’s page binds automatically without entering a code | The official registration guide doesn’t mention the field |
| MEXC | When the referral link is opened in a browser to register, the code is applied automatically | When registering in the app, tap ▾ to expand and enter it |
| BingX | Not stated officially; recommends registering with a link or poster that carries the referral code | Optional |
| WEEX | Not stated officially | Not stated officially |
| XT.COM | Downloading the app through an ad or another referral channel first and then registering may bind you to that original channel | Filled in automatically by the referral link, or can be entered manually; check before submitting |
| Ourbit | Not stated officially | Not stated officially |
| HTX | Not stated officially | Optional |
| KuCoin | No app restriction stated officially | You should see the referral code when setting your password; if it isn’t filled in automatically, the link may have expired, so enter the code manually |
| Pionex | Not stated officially | Optional |
| Bitfinex | Not stated officially; residents of the European Economic Area (EEA) can’t register with a referral code | Optional field when registering in the app |
Sources: Binance app registration guide, Binance referral program explainer, OKX referral program FAQ, Bitget app registration guide, Gate affiliate page, MEXC invitation guide, MEXC app registration guide, BingX registration FAQ, XT.COM referral guide, HTX referral rules, KuCoin registration guide, Pionex registration guide, Bitfinex app registration guide (checked 2026-10-11).
How do you check the referral code is bound after signing up?
Once registration is complete, look for the referrer or rebate field in your account. Where each exchange officially says to look:
| Exchange | Where to check |
|---|---|
| Binance | Web: Profile → Referral → Referral Pro → "Share Commissions"; app: Referral on the home screen → Referral Pro |
| BingX | Profile settings → "My Referrer" |
| MEXC | Capital History |
| OKX | App: Menu → User Center → "My Rewards" |
| Ourbit | Referral page → "Referral Kickback" records |
| Pionex | App: Home → My Account → Deposit → clock icon → "Invitee Cashback"; web: More → Rebate |
| XT.COM | Spot account → Fund history → Distribution |
| Bitfinex | Not published by the exchange |
| Bitget | Not published by the exchange |
| Gate | Not published by the exchange |
| HTX | Not published by the exchange |
| KuCoin | Not published by the exchange |
| WEEX | Not published by the exchange |
Compiled from each exchange's official pages on 2026-10-22; the exchange's current pages prevail. Each exchange's official sources are listed in its guide on this site.
OKX also states: app menu → Account settings → Profile → “Referral rewards”. If you can see this entry, a referral relationship exists.
What if the referral code didn’t bind?
Some exchanges let you add a code after sign-up, but mostly within a time limit, and often only if you haven’t deposited or traded yet. Binance and MEXC, for example, allow 30 days from registration, and Pionex 14 days. OKX states that the referral code must be entered before registration is complete and can’t be added afterwards. Each exchange’s rules for adding a code later are in adding a referral code after sign-up; for other reasons you might not see a rebate, see how to check a missing rebate.
FAQ
I’ve already downloaded the app. Can I still sign up through a referral link?
You can try, but add one extra check: open the referral link and register on the web page, and before submitting, make sure the referral code field shows the code you want. OKX and XT.COM state that if you downloaded the app through another channel first, the referral relationship may go to that earlier channel.
The referral code field already has someone else’s code. What should I do?
Before you submit the registration, most exchanges let you edit the field; Binance, for example, states that if the referral code is invalid you can edit it or enter another one. On OKX, a code brought in from a paid ad channel can’t be changed, and OKX recommends reopening the referral link in an incognito window. Once a referral code is bound, Binance, OKX and Ourbit all state it can’t be changed.
If I sign up quickly with a Google or Apple account, does the referral code still count?
Most exchanges don’t say specifically. Bitfinex states that it also asks for a referral code when you register with Google. Whichever way you sign up, checking the referral code field before submitting is the safest option.
Which exchanges state that signing up in the app may not bind the referral code?
OKX and XT.COM state it officially; other exchanges don’t mention the app specifically.
OKX states that if you clicked a referral link or downloaded an app carrying a referral code within the past 30 days, that code may already be bound to your device. XT.COM states that if you first downloaded the app through an ad or another referral channel and then sign up, the referral relationship may go to that original channel. Each exchange’s notes are summarized in the table above.
How do I check whether my referral code is bound?
After you sign up, look at the referrer or rebate field in your account; the table above lists where each exchange says to check.
On OKX, go to app menu → Account settings → Profile; if you can see the “Referral rewards” entry, a referral relationship exists. For more complete checking methods on each exchange, see how to check whether your referral code is bound.
You can compare every exchange’s referral code and automatic fee rebate rate in one place on the exchange referral code overview.