Crypto exchange OKX is shaking the table with a move that’s bound to get noticed. Next week, the platform will delist 11 spot trading pairs but it’s not the obscure tokens catching headlines. It’s the delisting of USDT/USDC, a staple stablecoin-to-stablecoin pair many traders rely on, that’s turning heads.
Why now? That’s the question echoing across the market – especially as OKX ramps up its U.S. expansion with licenses in 47 states and a new San Jose headquarters. The timing is too sharp to ignore.
OKX Pulls the Plug on Major Trading Pairs
Alongside USDT/USDC, the delisting list includes lesser-known names:
- ZERO/USDT and ZERO/USD
- PRQ/USDT and PRQ/USD
- IQ/USDT and IQ/USD
- ARTY/USDT and ARTY/USD
- SAMO/USDT and SAMO/USD
OKX says the decision comes from a “regular review process to maintain healthy trading markets,” but gave no further insight.
However, a separate statement cited two drivers: internal market monitoring and user feedback. These trading pairs have shown signs of increased volatility, lower liquidity, or poor market performance. The move reflects a commitment to “user protection and market integrity.”
The community’s left reading between the lines. USDT/USDC has long served as a quick liquidity bridge between stablecoins – so it’s not a typical delisting candidate due to low volume or volatility.
U.S. Expansion Meets Internal Reshuffling
OKX’s U.S. strategy has been aggressive in 2025, capped by the hiring of former Barclays and Hidden Road exec Roshan Robert to lead regional operations. But behind the curtain, there’s been a shake-up.
Legal transitions are underway. Global General Counsel Melissa Muehlfeld, who rose through the OKcoin ranks, has exited. It follows a string of senior departures after OKX’s $500 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice earlier this year. The firm’s newly appointed CLO is Linda Lacewell – former NYDFS superintendent – now tasked with overhauling legal and compliance from the inside out.
Proof-of-Reserves Hints at a Deeper Shift
Just weeks before the delisting announcement, OKX’s April 7 snapshot revealed a 3.62% drop in USDT holdings (≈$295M) and an 8.04% drop in USDC (≈$100M). Coincidence? Possibly.
But the realignment of reserves, paired with the removal of a core stablecoin pair, raises bigger questions about OKX’s evolving priorities – especially in a U.S. market under renewed regulatory scrutiny.
What Traders Should Know Now
All open orders tied to the affected pairs will be automatically canceled during the delisting window. Funds will still be accessible under the “Untradable” section, but OKX urges users to withdraw or convert assets before the cutoff.
So it’s clear – even the most familiar trading pairs aren’t immune to a reset!
