Proof of Reserves (PoR) has become a cornerstone of transparency in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, offering users verifiable assurance that their assets are fully backed. One key component of this system is the user snapshot data, a precise record of a user's net asset position at a specific point in time. This snapshot includes not only your available balances but also any liabilities such as borrowed funds or debts from margin trading and lending activities.
On platforms like OKX, the PoR mechanism captures both assets and obligations, ensuring a comprehensive view of financial health. However, many users notice discrepancies between their account asset equity displayed on the "My Portfolio" page and the PoR snapshot result. Understanding why these differences occur is essential for accurate portfolio tracking and trust in platform transparency.
Why Are My Account Assets Different From the Snapshot?
The primary reason for inconsistencies lies in how different account features—like margin trading positions and loans in the Grow account—are calculated.
For instance, when you open a margin trading position, your account may reflect only collateral and unrealized profit and loss (UPL), while excluding the actual borrowed amount or purchased assets. In contrast, the PoR snapshot accounts for all underlying assets and liabilities, providing a more complete picture.
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Consider this: if you borrow 3 ETH and sell them for 3,300 USDT, your trading interface might show increased USDT holdings and unchanged ETH balance. But the PoR snapshot will reflect a reduction of 3 ETH and an increase of 3,300 USDT, accurately capturing the transaction’s full impact.
This divergence doesn’t indicate an error—it reflects two different calculation methodologies serving distinct purposes:
- Account equity focuses on usable, realizable value.
- Snapshot equity reflects total financial exposure, including debt.
Does a Discrepancy Mean My Account Value Is Higher or Lower?
No—despite apparent differences in crypto amounts, the total USD value remains consistent across both calculations.
Take the earlier example:
- You borrow 3 ETH → sell for 3,300 USDT.
- In PoR: ETH balance decreases by 3; USDT increases by 3,300.
- When combined, the net USD value matches the UPL of your margin position.
This ensures that even though individual cryptocurrency quantities differ between your portfolio display and the snapshot, the overall net worth in USD is identical. The system maintains mathematical consistency, preserving accuracy despite structural complexity.
Advanced Verification: Trading Equity Value
To better understand these mechanics, let’s explore how different margin trading modes affect asset calculations.
Which Account Modes Support Margin Positions?
OKX supports multiple margin configurations:
- Single-currency margin
- Multi-currency margin
- Portfolio margin
Each mode determines how collateral, positions, and liabilities are managed. For example:
- In cross margin, your entire balance acts as potential collateral.
- In isolated margin, risk is contained within a dedicated position.
You can check your current mode by navigating to:
Trade > Settings > Account Mode
Here, you can also toggle between Auto Transfer and Quick Margin for isolated positions.
Why Calculations Differ: Real Examples
Case 1: Cross Margin Trading
Imagine starting with:
- 15 ETH
- 9,000 USDT
You buy 10 ETH using margin (ETH/USDT price: 1,087.24), incurring a 0.01 ETH fee. Your position now holds:
- Position assets: 9.99 ETH
- Liability: 10,872.4 USDT
- UPL: +0.0283 ETH (at mark price of 1,091.43)
On your portfolio page:
- ETH equity = 15 + 0.0283 = 15.0283 ETH
- USDT equity = 9,000 USDT
But in the PoR snapshot:
- ETH = 15 + 9.99 = 24.99 ETH
- USDT = 9,000 – 10,872.4 = –1,872.4 USDT
While crypto values differ significantly, converting to USD:
(9.9617 ETH × $1,091.43) – $10,872.4 ≈ $0
Thus, the total equity aligns perfectly—just represented differently.
Case 2: Isolated Margin (Auto Transfers)
Start with same assets:
- 15 ETH
- 9,000 USDT
Open an isolated position with 1 ETH margin, buying 10 ETH at $1,406.93 (10x leverage). After execution:
- Cross balance: 14 ETH
- Isolated margin: 1 ETH
- Position assets: 10.99 ETH
- Liability: 14,069.3 USDT
- UPL: –0.0042 ETH
Portfolio shows:
- ETH: 14 + 1 – 0.0042 = 14.9958 ETH
- USDT: 9,000 USDT
Snapshot shows:
- ETH: 14 + 10.99 = 24.99 ETH
- USDT: 9,000 – 14,069.3 = –5,069.3 USDT
Again, crypto amounts differ—but USD value reconciles to zero difference.
Case 3: Isolated – Quick Margin
In this mode, you manually transfer assets into the position. Suppose you move 10 ETH to open a trade:
- Cross balance drops to 5 ETH
- Position assets grow to 19.99 ETH
- Liability: 14,099.8 USDT
Here, both account equity and snapshot yield:
- ETH: 24.99 ETH
- USDT: –5,099.8 USDT
No discrepancy—because liabilities and assets are directly reflected in both systems.
✅ Key Insight: The more self-contained the margin model (like Quick Margin), the closer the alignment between displayed equity and PoR snapshot.
Grow Account Loans and Snapshot Reconciliation
Beyond trading, lending products like those in the Grow account also influence snapshot data.
Suppose you deposit 5,000 USDT as collateral to borrow 0.1 BTC via flexible or fixed-term loan:
| Portfolio Display | PoR Snapshot | |
|---|---|---|
| Funding Account | +0.1 BTC | +0.1 BTC |
| Grow Account | +3,422.46 USDT (equity) | –0.1 BTC (liability), +5,000 USDT (collateral) |
| Total | 0.1 BTC + 3,422.46 USDT | Equal USD value |
Note: The Grow account only shows net equity, not raw collateral or debt. But PoR reveals the full structure—ensuring auditors can verify solvency.
This transparency protects both users and platforms by proving that every loan is backed by real assets.
👉 Learn how collateral tracking powers secure, scalable DeFi lending ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Proof of Reserves (PoR) user snapshot data?
A: It's a cryptographically verifiable record of a user's net asset position at a specific moment, including all assets and liabilities such as loans and margin debts.
Q: Why does my portfolio show different crypto amounts than the PoR snapshot?
A: Because your portfolio displays usable equity (e.g., collateral + UPL), while the snapshot includes all underlying assets and liabilities—even those offsetting each other—ensuring full reserve accountability.
Q: Is it normal for my USDT balance to appear negative in the snapshot?
A: Yes. If you’ve borrowed USDT through margin or lending services, the liability appears as a negative balance in the PoR audit to maintain accurate accounting.
Q: Do discrepancies mean OKX doesn’t have my funds?
A: No. Differences arise from calculation methods—not missing assets. The total USD value always matches between your account and the snapshot.
Q: How often are snapshots taken?
A: Snapshots are typically generated periodically (e.g., daily) during Proof of Reserves audits to provide up-to-date verification without compromising security.
Q: Can I verify my own snapshot?
A: Yes. Advanced users can use Merkle tree proofs provided during public audits to confirm their balances are included in the total reserves.
Core Keywords: Proof of Reserves, PoR snapshot data, user asset verification, margin trading equity, Grow account loans, crypto liability tracking, asset-liability reconciliation