Connecting your trading platform to a reliable broker is essential for seamless execution, accurate data flow, and efficient portfolio management. MultiCharts users looking to integrate with OKX, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges, can do so by configuring either an OKX Futures or OKX Spot broker profile. This guide walks you through the complete setup process, explains key settings, and highlights critical considerations for position sizing, order types, and troubleshooting common issues.
Whether you're trading futures contracts or spot crypto assets, understanding how MultiCharts interacts with OKX will help you avoid errors, optimize performance, and maintain precise control over your trades.
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Configuring the OKX Futures Broker Profile
To begin trading futures on OKX via MultiCharts, you must first create a broker profile using your API credentials. Access the OKX Futures Settings window through Broker Profiles Overview > Managing Broker Profiles in MultiCharts.
Main Tab Settings
Connectivity Section
- Enter your API Key, Secret Key, and API Key Password obtained from your OKX account.
- Choose the appropriate Base Currency (e.g., USDT, USD).
- Select the correct Server from the dropdown—this must match the server region where your API was generated.
- If using a demo account, check the Demo box to ensure testnet connectivity.
Ensure API permissions include trading and account access. Restrict IP binding if security is a priority.
Default Order Settings
- Set your preferred Time in Force (e.g., GTC – Good Till Canceled).
- Enable Orders Request Waiting Limits to allow MultiCharts to monitor request queues and comply with OKX’s rate limits (typically 60 requests per minute per IP).
- Use Isolated Margin Mode to allocate margin specifically to individual positions, minimizing cross-position risk.
- Activate Reduce Only to prevent new entries and ensure orders only reduce existing positions—this helps bypass OKX’s minimum trade size when closing out.
Global Settings
- Adjust the Timing Security interval (default: 5000 ms) to define how long a request remains valid.
- Enable Use Heartbeats for Connection Loss Detection to automatically reconnect after temporary outages.
- Turn on Show Error Pop-up Alert for real-time notifications of failed requests or authentication issues.
Contracts Ratio Tab
Since MultiCharts does not support fractional shares or contracts natively, the Contracts Ratio feature bridges this gap for crypto trading.
For example:
- The Contracts Ratio for
AVAX-USDT-SWAP
is 0.1. - When you place a "Buy 1 contract" order in MultiCharts, it translates to 0.1 contract on OKX.
This setting ensures compatibility between platform limitations and exchange requirements. Always verify the correct ratio for each symbol to avoid underfilled or rejected trades.
Understanding OKX Futures Orders and Positions
General Behavior
- OKX provides live data on account lists, balances, and open positions.
- However, equity, open P/L, and unrealized P/L are calculated internally by MultiCharts since they aren’t directly exposed by the exchange.
Supported Order Types
All standard order types are fully supported:
- Market Orders
- Limit Orders
- Stop Orders
- Stop-Limit Orders
These execute as expected, with real-time feedback relayed through the Order and Position Tracker.
OCO Group Handling
OCO (One-Cancels-the-Other) groups are emulated by MultiCharts, meaning:
- Both orders are sent to OKX.
- MultiCharts monitors price execution.
- Upon fill of one leg, the platform sends a cancellation request for the other.
⚠️ Important Risk Note: There's a small window where both orders could execute if price hits both levels before cancellation is processed. This is known as slippage risk and should be factored into strategy design.
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Setting Up the OKX Spot Broker Profile
The process for configuring a spot trading account mirrors the futures setup but includes additional emulation layers due to wallet-based accounting.
Main Tab Configuration
Connectivity & Order Settings
Identical to futures:
- Input your API Key, Secret Key, and Password.
- Select correct Currency and Server.
- Check Demo if applicable.
- Configure Time in Force, request monitoring, heartbeat detection, and alerts under Global settings.
Contracts Ratio for Spot
Just like futures, spot symbols require proper contract scaling:
- Example: BTCUSDT has a Contracts Ratio of 0.001.
- A “Buy 1” order in MultiCharts = 0.001 BTC purchased on OKX.
Always confirm ratios match current exchange specifications to avoid trade rejection.
Open Positions Tab
Spot positions are emulated because OKX doesn’t provide direct position data.
Key functions:
- Click Lookup to detect positions based on orders placed through MultiCharts.
- Use Recalculate to rebuild position history from a specified start date.
- Click Add to manually include symbols in tracking.
⚠️ If trades occur outside MultiCharts (e.g., via web interface), the platform won’t recognize those changes unless manually synchronized.
Due to trading fees deducted from spot transactions, executed position sizes will be slightly smaller than intended. To align strategy positions with actual holdings, use the From Broker To Strategy MP Synchronizer tool after setup.
After configuration, select your broker profile for live trading by following the standard account selection procedure in MultiCharts.
Key Differences: OKX Spot vs. Futures
Feature | Futures | Spot |
---|---|---|
Position Calculation | Partially provided by exchange | Fully emulated by MultiCharts |
Supported Stop Orders | Yes | No (exchange limitation) |
OCO Execution | Emulated | Emulated |
Margin Mode Support | Isolated/Cross | N/A (no margin in standard spot) |
Fees Impact | Included in P/L calc | Reduces position size directly |
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Connection Failures
If the broker profile fails to connect:
- For futures: Ensure you’ve clicked Lookup in the Leverage tab.
Check Order and Position Tracker → Logs:
- "Timestamp outside recvWindow": Sync your PC clock via Adjust date/time > Sync now.
- "Invalid API-key, IP, or permissions": Verify API details via email or regenerate keys in OKX.
Order Rejections
Review logs for specific error messages:
"Minimum trade volume = X": Adjust quantity considering Contracts Ratio. For example:
- BNBUSDT ratio = 0.01 → 1 contract in MC = 0.01 on OKX.
- Minimum trade size on OKX = 5 → You need at least 500 contracts in MC (5 ÷ 0.01).
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"Not found symbol from server X":
- Re-add symbol via QuoteManager → Add Symbol → From Data Source → OKX.
- Confirm you’re using OKX Futures for derivatives and OKX Spot for cash trading.
- Match server and currency settings with the symbol’s requirements.
"Order’s notional must be no smaller than 5.0":
- Enable Reduce Only in the Main tab when closing small positions to bypass minimum size rules.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why are my spot positions smaller than expected?
A: Spot trades deduct fees directly from the asset amount. Since MultiCharts emulates positions, always account for commission impact and use synchronization tools.
Q: Can I trade stop orders on OKX Spot?
A: No. While limit and market orders are supported, stop orders are not available on the OKX Spot exchange.
Q: How does Contracts Ratio affect my trading?
A: It scales your order size between MultiCharts (integer-only) and OKX (fractional). Incorrect ratios lead to underfills or rejections—always verify per symbol.
Q: What happens if two OCO orders fill simultaneously?
A: Due to latency, both legs might execute before cancellation is processed. Monitor logs and consider tighter time windows or lower aggressiveness in volatile markets.
Q: Do I need separate API keys for Spot and Futures?
A: Not necessarily, but using distinct keys improves security and simplifies tracking usage across different profiles.
Q: How often should I sync my PC time?
A: At least daily, especially before high-frequency trading sessions. Time drift causes authentication failures due to strict API timestamp windows.
By carefully configuring your OKX broker profile—whether for futures or spot—you gain full control over trade execution within MultiCharts while maintaining compliance with exchange rules and technical constraints.