OKX’s Android app has returned to South Korea’s Google Play Store just four days after it was removed, allowing users to download the app again and receive updates. The move makes OKX the first major overseas crypto exchange to regain access after a wave of restrictions affected dozens of foreign trading platforms.
Local outlet Digital Asset reported that the OKX: Trade Bitcoin & Crypto app reappeared in Google Play search results on July 28, restoring normal distribution for Android users. The exchange had disappeared from the platform on July 24, preventing new installations and software updates.
据 DigitalAsset ，OKX 应用已恢复在韩国 Google Play 商店的搜索、下载及更新功能，此前相关服务自 7 月 24 日起中断约四天。同期，Bybit 应用仍无法在当地商店搜索和安装。https://t.co/5KAWxeejHX
— 吴说区块链 (@wublockchain12) July 28, 2026
Bybit, however, remains unavailable. According to the report, the exchange’s app, which was removed from Google Play on July 10, was still blocked from search results and installation as of July 28. Other global exchanges such as Binance and Bitget remained accessible.
Digital Asset previously reported that at least 29 overseas crypto derivatives exchange apps had become unavailable on the Korean version of Google Play. Of those, 17 could no longer be found through search, six displayed an “Unavailable” notice, while another six showed messages stating that the apps were not available in the user’s region.
Despite the Android restrictions, affected exchanges have remained accessible through their websites and Apple’s App Store.
Why so many crypto exchange apps were restricted
The restrictions are linked to South Korea’s tighter oversight of overseas crypto firms operating without local registration.
Earlier this year, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) identified several foreign exchanges as unreported virtual asset service providers under the country’s Special Financial Information Act. Google later introduced measures limiting downloads and updates for affected exchange apps.
However, Digital Asset found that Google’s actions extended beyond the FIU’s published enforcement list. While 14 restricted exchanges had already been referred to law enforcement, another 15, including OKX, Bybit, Gemini, WhiteBIT and BitMEX, had not, suggesting Google also applied its own platform policies when restricting access.
Crypto oversight continues as OKX expands globally
Earlier this month, Financial Services Commission Chair Lee Eog-won said authorities had investigated more than 40 suspected cases of unfair crypto trading since the Virtual Asset User Protection Act took effect, referring over 30 cases to investigative agencies while expanding AI-powered market surveillance.
Outside South Korea, OKX has continued growing its regulated business. The exchange recently introduced a one-way USDT-to-USDC conversion service across 30 EU and EEA countries to support compliance with the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. It has also expanded its institutional business and continued its push into the U.S. market following the launch of a unified market for 40+ tokenized United States stocks and ETFs.
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