Crypto Futures Trading Fees Comparison 2025

By comparing fees across different exchanges, you can save thousands of dollars and significantly boost your trading returns.

Crypto futures exchanges typically charge several types of fees. These include maker and taker fees for placing or accepting orders and funding rates for holding positions.

Some platforms also have deposit, withdrawal, or account maintenance fees. Understanding these fee structures is essential for maximizing your trading efficiency.

You’ll find that fees vary widely between exchanges. While some platforms charge as little as 0.01% for maker fees, others may charge over 0.5%.

Taker fees tend to be higher, ranging from 0.02% to over 1%.

Choosing an exchange with competitive fees that align with your trading style can reduce costs and improve your overall trading performance.

Critical Types of Fees in Crypto Futures Trading

 

Crypto futures trading involves several fee types that can significantly impact your trading costs and profits. Understanding these fees is crucial for developing effective strategies and maximizing your returns.

#1. Maker vs. Taker Fees

Maker fees apply when you add liquidity to the market by placing limit orders. For example, you’re a maker if you place a buy order for Bitcoin futures at $50,000 when the current price is $51,000.

Taker fees are charged when you remove liquidity by executing market or limit orders that immediately match. You’re a taker if you buy Bitcoin futures at the current market price of $51,000.

Maker fees are typically lower to encourage liquidity provision. On many exchanges, maker fees range from 0% to 0.02%, while taker fees can be 0.05% to 0.075%.

#2. Funding Rates/Fees

Funding rates are unique to perpetual futures contracts, which don’t have expiration dates. These rates help keep the futures price aligned with the spot price.

Every 8 hours, traders on one side of the market pay those on the opposite side. If the funding rate is positive, long positions pay short positions. If it’s negative, short positions pay long positions.

For instance, if the funding rate is 0.01%, and you hold a $10,000 long position, you’d pay $1 every 8 hours. Over time, these fees can accumulate, impacting your overall profits or losses.

#3. Deposit and Withdrawal Fees

You might incur deposit fees when you add funds to your futures trading account. These vary by exchange and deposit method. For example, wire transfers often have higher fees than crypto deposits.

Withdrawal fees also differ based on the asset and withdrawal method. Bitcoin withdrawals might cost a flat fee of 0.0005 BTC, while Ethereum withdrawals could be a percentage of the amount.

Consider these fees when choosing an exchange, as they can eat into your profits, especially if you frequently move funds in and out of the platform.

#4. Liquidation Fees

Liquidation occurs when your position’s losses reach your margin amount. Exchanges charge liquidation fees to cover the costs of closing your position.

For example, if you open a $10,000 long position with 10x leverage and the price drops by 10%, your position would be liquidated. The exchange might charge a 0.5% liquidation fee, costing you an additional $50.

These fees can be substantial, especially in prominent positions. Some exchanges have insurance funds to cover liquidation costs, potentially reducing or eliminating these fees for traders.

#5. Settlement Fees

Settlement fees apply when futures contracts expire and are settled. You might pay a small fee each time the contract settles for daily or weekly settled futures.

For instance, an exchange might charge 0.015% of the contract value at settlement. If you hold a $10,000 position when it settles, you will pay $1.50 in settlement fees.

These fees are less common in perpetual futures but can add up quickly for traders holding multiple expiring contracts.

#6. Overnight Fees

Some exchanges charge overnight fees for holding positions beyond a specific time, typically 24 hours. These fees compensate the exchange for providing leverage.

For example, an exchange might charge 0.01% per day for holding a leveraged position. On a $10,000 position, you’d pay $1 daily to keep the trade open.

Overnight fees can significantly impact long-term trading strategies. They’re essential to consider if you plan to hold positions for extended periods.

Comparing Futures Trading Fees Across Top Crypto Exchanges

 

Crypto exchanges offer varying fee structures for futures trading. These fees can significantly impact your trading profits, so it’s crucial to understand and compare them across platforms.

#1. Bybit

Bybit offers a tiered fee structure. Standard accounts pay 0.01% maker and 0.06% taker fees for USDT perpetual contracts.

A unique aspect is Bybit’s negative maker fees for high-volume traders, which effectively pay you to provide liquidity.

Funding rates are bi-hourly and market-dependent. Withdrawal fees vary by cryptocurrency but are generally competitive.

Bybit doesn’t charge deposit fees, making it cost-effective for fund transfers.

#2. BingX

BingX offers competitive fees with 0.02% maker and 0.04% taker rates for standard accounts.

Funding rates are charged every 8 hours and can be positive or negative. They’re generally in line with other major exchanges.

BingX stands out for its copy trading feature, which doesn’t incur additional fees beyond standard trading costs.

Withdrawal fees vary by cryptocurrency and network. BingX occasionally runs promotions offering reduced or zero withdrawal fees.

#3. Phemex

Phemex uses a tiered fee structure. Standard accounts pay 0.01% maker and 0.06% taker fees for USD contracts.

Funding rates are charged every 8 hours and vary based on market conditions. They’re generally competitive with other exchanges.

Phemex offers a unique Premium membership with zero trading fees for spot trading, but this doesn’t apply to futures.

Withdrawal fees are cryptocurrency-specific and generally in line with industry standards. Deposits are free.

 

#4. MEXC

MEXC offers competitive futures trading fees. You’ll pay 0.02% maker and 0.05% taker fees for standard accounts.

These rates are comparable to more extensive exchanges, making MEXC an attractive option for cost-conscious traders.

Funding rates are charged every 8 hours and vary by market conditions. They’re generally in line with other exchanges.

MEXC doesn’t charge deposit fees. Withdrawal fees vary by cryptocurrency but are generally competitive.

MEXC offers fee discounts for holding their native MX token, potentially reducing your overall trading costs.

 

#5. Binance

Binance’s futures trading fees are competitive. You’ll pay 0.02% maker and 0.04% taker fees for USD-M futures contracts. VIP levels can reduce these rates further.

Funding rates vary by market conditions and specific contracts. They’re charged every 8 hours and can be positive or negative.

Deposit fees are generally accessible for most cryptocurrencies. Withdrawal fees depend on the network used. For example, BTC withdrawals cost 0.0005 BTC.

Binance also charges a 0.5% fee for liquidations.

 

#6. BitMEX

BitMEX’s fee structure is straightforward. You’ll pay 0.01% maker and 0.075% taker fees for most contracts.

Funding fees for perpetual contracts occur every 8 hours. Rates can be positive or negative, depending on market conditions.

Unlike some exchanges, BitMEX only supports Bitcoin deposits and withdrawals. This can simplify fee calculations but may be inconvenient for some traders.

BitMEX stands out for not charging deposit or withdrawal fees, potentially saving you money on transfers.

 

#7. OKX

OKX’s futures trading fees start at 0.02% maker and 0.05% taker. Higher trading volumes can reduce these rates.

Funding rates are charged every 8 hours and vary by market conditions. They’re generally in line with other major exchanges.

Withdrawal fees depend on the cryptocurrency and network used. For example, BTC withdrawals cost 0.0005 BTC.

OKX offers fee discounts for holding their native OKB token, potentially lowering your overall trading costs.

 

#8. KuCoin

KuCoin’s futures platform charges 0.02% maker and 0.06% taker fees for standard accounts.

Funding rates are calculated and charged every 8 hours. They’re based on the difference between perpetual contracts and spot prices.

KuCoin offers lower fees for KCS (their native token) holders. You can get up to a 20% discount on trading fees.

Withdrawal fees vary by cryptocurrency but are generally competitive. Deposits are free, reducing your overall costs.

 

Table Comparing All The Above Exchanges On All Types of Fees

 

Exchange	Maker Fee	Taker Fee	Deposit Fee	Withdrawal Fee	Custody Fee
Bybit	0.01%	0.06%	Free	Varies	None
KuCoin	0.02%	0.06%	Free	Varies	None
Gemini	0.20%	0.40%	Free (bank)	Varies	Up to $30/month
Binance	0.02%	0.04%	Free	Varies	None

 

You’ll notice that Bybit offers the lowest maker fee at 0.01%, while Binance has the lowest taker fee at 0.04%. Most exchanges provide free options for deposits, especially when using bank transfers. Gemini charges 3.49% for debit card deposits and 2.5% for PayPal.

Withdrawal fees vary across exchanges and depend on the cryptocurrency being withdrawn. It’s best to check the specific fee for your desired asset.

Gemini stands out by charging a monthly custody fee of up to $30 for storing assets on its platform. Other exchanges typically don’t have this fee.

Remember that fees can change and may be lower for high-volume traders or those holding exchange tokens. Always verify the current fee structure before trading.

Factors Influencing Fee Structure

Crypto futures trading fees are not fixed across exchanges. Several key factors determine the fee structure, potentially leading to significant cost savings for traders.

#1. Volume-Based Discounts

Trading volume plays a crucial role in fee determination. Higher trading volumes often result in lower fees. Exchanges like Binance and OKX implement tiered fee structures based on 30-day trading volume.

For instance, Binance offers fees as low as 0.015% for makers and 0.030% for takers at the highest volume tier. OKX provides similar benefits, with costs dropping to 0.020% for high-volume traders.

These discounts incentivize active trading and can substantially reduce costs for frequent traders. Consider concentrating your trading on a single platform to maximize benefits and reach higher volume tiers.

#2. Native Token Discounts

Using an exchange’s native token often leads to fee reductions. This strategy can significantly lower your trading costs.

Binance offers up to a 25% fee discount when using BNB for payment. Huobi provides up to a 65% discount with an HT token. KuCoin gives up to 20% off with KCS.

These discounts vary across exchanges:

• Binance (BNB): Up to 25% off
• Huobi (HT): Up to 65% off
• KuCoin (KCS): Up to 20% off

Holding and using native tokens can lead to substantial savings, especially for high-volume traders.

#3. VIP Tiers & Loyalty Programs

Exchanges often offer VIP tiers and loyalty programs to reward regular traders. These programs can significantly impact your overall trading costs.

Bybit’s VIP program offers progressively lower fees as you climb tiers. At the highest level, maker fees can drop to 0% and taker fees to 0.025%.

FTX’s loyalty program provides fee discounts and other perks based on your FTT token holdings and 30-day trading volume. Higher tiers offer rebates on maker fees.

These programs often include additional benefits like higher withdrawal limits, dedicated support, and exclusive access to new features or tokens.

To maximize benefits, review the requirements for each tier and assess whether the potential savings justify the increased trading volume or token holdings needed to qualify.

Real-World Example: Fee Comparison Based on Trading Volume

Crypto futures trading fees can vary significantly depending on your trading volume. Let’s examine how fees differ for small and large trades across popular exchanges.

Scenario 1: Small Volume Trader

For a $10,000 futures trade, fee structures differ notably between exchanges.

Binance charges 0.02% for maker orders and 0.04% for taker orders at this level. Your $10,000 trade would incur a $2 fee as a maker or $4 as a taker.

Bybit offers slightly lower fees, with 0.01% for makers and 0.06% for takers. You’d pay $1 as a maker or $6 as a taker.

KuCoin’s fees are 0.02% for makers and 0.06% for takers. Your costs would be $2 as a maker or $6 as a taker.

Scenario 2: High Volume Trader

For a $1,000,000 futures trade, fee structures become more competitive.

Binance reduces fees for high-volume traders. You might qualify for VIP 3 status at this level, paying 0.016% as a maker and 0.036% as a taker. Your $1,000,000 trade would cost $160 as a maker or $360 as a taker.

Bybit offers substantial discounts for large trades. VIP 2 traders pay 0.004% as makers and 0.05% as takers. You’d pay $40 as a maker or $500 as a taker.

KuCoin’s fees for high-volume traders can drop to 0.01% for makers and 0.05% for takers. You would cost $100 as a maker or $500 as a taker.

At high volumes, Bybit becomes more cost-efficient for maker orders, while Binance offers better rates for taker orders.

Hidden Fees & Charges On Crypto Futures Platforms

When trading crypto futures, it’s crucial to be aware of less obvious costs that can impact your bottom line. These hidden charges can significantly affect your trading profits if not carefully considered.

#1. Slippage & Liquidity

Slippage occurs when your order is executed at a different price than expected due to market volatility or low liquidity. You may experience higher slippage in low-liquidity markets, increasing your trading costs.

For example, if you place a large buy order on a less liquid futures contract, you might pay more than anticipated. This price difference can eat into your potential profits or exacerbate losses.

To minimize slippage:

• Trade during peak hours when liquidity is higher
• Use limit orders instead of market orders
• Break large orders into smaller chunks

#2. Inactivity & Miscellaneous Fees

Some crypto futures platforms charge inactivity fees if you don’t trade for a certain period. These fees can silently drain your account balance over time.Standard miscellaneous charges include:

• Withdrawal fees
• Account maintenance fees
• Data fees for advanced trading features

Bybit, for instance, doesn’t charge inactivity fees, making it a good option for occasional traders. However, always check the fee schedule of your chosen platform carefully.

To avoid unexpected costs:

• Read the fine print in the platform’s terms of service
• Regularly review your account for any new or changed fees
• Consider switching to platforms with more transparent fee structures if necessary

Frequently Asked Questions

Traders often question fees, margins, and withdrawals regarding cryptocurrency futures. Understanding these aspects can help optimize trading strategies and minimize costs.

What are the typical fees associated with the futures trading of cryptocurrency?

Crypto futures trading typically involves maker and taker fees. Maker fees are charged when you add liquidity to the order book, while taker fees apply when you remove liquidity. These fees usually range from 0.02% to 0.05% per trade.

Some exchanges offer tiered fee structures based on trading volume. Higher volume traders may enjoy lower fees, sometimes as low as 0.01%, or even opposing fees as rebates.

How do margin trading fees for cryptocurrencies compare across different platforms?

Margin trading fees vary widely between platforms. Some exchanges charge a daily interest rate on borrowed funds, typically around 0.01% to 0.1dailyay.

Others may have a funding rate paid between long and short positions every few hours. This rate can be positive or negative, depending on market conditions.

Which cryptocurrency exchange offers the lowest fees for withdrawing funds?

Withdrawal fees differ based on the cryptocurrency and network used. Some exchanges, like Binance, offer free withdrawals for certain coins on specific networks.

For popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, withdrawal fees can range from 0.0001 BTC to 0.0005. Depending on the platform, ethereum withdrawals may cost between 0.001 ETH and 0.01 Erm.

Can you list the transaction fees for popular cryptocurrency exchanges?

Binance charges maker/taker fees starting at 0.1% for spot trading and 0.02%/0.04% for futures.

Coinbase Pro has a tiered fee structure,e starting at 0.5% for both maker and taker orders and decreasing with higher trading volume.

Kraken’s fees begin at 0.16% for makers and 0.26% for takers, and decrease for high-volume traders.

FTX offers maker fees from 0.02% to 0.00% and taker fees from 0.07% to 0.04%, based on 30-day trading volume.

Conclusion

Choosing the proper crypto futures exchange can significantly impact your trading success. Platforms with low minimum deposits and competitive fee,s like MEXC or Marge,x may be ideal for small traders.

High-volume traders should consider exchanges offering tiered fee structures or VIP programs. These often provide substantial discounts as trading volume increases.

If funding fees are a priority, compare rates across multiple exchanges. Some platforms offer negative funding rates, potentially benefitting specific trading strategies.

Understanding fee structures is essential for maximizing profits. Transaction costs, funding rates, and withdrawal fees all affect your bottom line. Take time to calculate potential expenses before committing to a platform.

Regular fee comparisons are crucial as exchanges frequently update their pricing. Stay informed about industry trends and new offerings to optimize your trading strategy.

Remember, the lowest fees don’t always guarantee the best trading experience. When deciding, consider factors like liquidity, platform stability, and available trading pairs alongside cos.

By carefully evaluating fees and exchange features, you can select a platform that aligns with your trading goals and helps improve your long-term profitability in the crypto futures market.