OTC desks

What an OTC desk does

An over-the-counter (OTC) desk executes large crypto trades directly with a client instead of on an exchange order book. You ask for a quote — for example to buy USDT in bulk for EUR or to sell USDT for AED — the desk gives one price for the full amount, and both sides settle bilaterally. This avoids slippage, keeps the trade off public order books and usually comes with personal support.

Who uses USDT OTC desks

• PSPs and P2P providers converting merchant settlements or funding payouts.
• Exchangers sourcing inventory for popular directions.
• Merchants and treasuries moving between stablecoins and bank money.
• Teams and traders with volumes too large for P2P marketplaces.

Popular pairs

USDT against USD, EUR and GBP, plus emerging-market currencies where OTC is often the most practical route: INR (INR/USDT OTC), AED, TRY, BRL, MXN, NGN, KES, PHP and others. Settlement may be by bank transfer, local rails or, in some markets, cash.

How to compare OTC desks

• Spread: quoted price against a reference rate; ask whether it is all-in.
• Minimum ticket: many desks start from tens of thousands of USD equivalent; some serve smaller businesses.
• Settlement order and speed: who sends first, typical time to settle, T+0 vs T+1.
• Supported networks and banks: TRC-20, ERC-20 and others; jurisdictions of bank accounts.
• Onboarding: KYB documents, source-of-funds questions, approval time.
• Regulatory status: licences or registrations where the desk operates; see VASP licensing.
• API and RFQ tools for repeat trades.

Reduce counterparty risk

For a new desk, split the first trade into smaller tranches, use a guarantor or escrow where appropriate, and screen wallets with AML & KYT tools.

By country

OTC desks are listed in the UAE, the UK, the US, Singapore, Switzerland, Canada and Australia.

Related

Stablecoin settlement, crypto ↔ fiat exchangers, P2P exchange merchants. Post a request with pair, size and frequency. Nominal hub is a directory and is not an OTC desk.