- Maker fees apply to limit orders that add liquidity to an exchange’s order book. Taker fees apply to market orders that remove liquidity.
- Taker fees are almost always higher because exchanges reward liquidity providers with lower rates.
- The maker-taker model applies to both spot and futures markets, though futures fees tend to be significantly lower.
- Fee rebate platforms like TradeGetPaid can reduce your effective fees by up to 70%, turning a cost center into partial cashback.
Every trade on a crypto exchange comes with a fee. On most centralized platforms, that fee depends on whether your order adds liquidity to the order book or takes it away. That single distinction is the basis of the maker-taker fee model, which is the standard pricing structure on Binance, Kraken, Coinbase, and nearly every other major exchange.
What Is a Maker?
A maker is a trader who places an order that doesn’t execute right away. Usually this means a limit order set below the current ask (for buys) or above the current bid (for sells). The order sits on the book, waiting for someone to match it. That adds liquidity, and exchanges reward it with lower fees. On some platforms, makers actually receive a rebate, meaning the exchange pays them a small amount per trade.
What Is a Taker?
A taker places an order that fills immediately. Market orders are the most common example, but a limit order priced at or better than the current market price also counts. Since the order removes an existing offer from the book, it reduces liquidity. That convenience costs more: taker fees are higher on nearly every exchange.
Why Are Taker Fees Higher?
Exchanges need deep order books. Without enough resting orders, spreads widen, slippage increases, and the trading experience suffers. Charging takers more and makers less creates a financial incentive that keeps the book populated. Tighter spreads and better price discovery benefit everyone on the platform.
Maker vs Taker Fees on Popular Exchanges
Fee rates vary widely. Below are the base-tier (non-VIP) rates for spot and futures on several exchanges as of 2026:
| Exchange | Spot Maker | Spot Taker | Futures Maker | Futures Taker | TGP Cashback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitunix | 0.08% | 0.10% | 0.02% | 0.06% | 70% |
| BloFin | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.02% | 0.06% | 50% |
| XT.com | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.04% | 0.06% | 45% |
| BingX | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.02% | 0.05% | 40% |
| WEEX | 0.00% | 0.10% | 0.02% | 0.08% | 40% |
Rates shown are base-tier as of April 2026. VIP tiers and token discounts may reduce these further.
Spot Fees vs Futures Fees: A Difference Most Guides Miss
Most maker-taker guides only cover spot trading. But perpetual futures account for the majority of crypto volume, and the fees there are structured differently. Futures maker fees on many exchanges sit at just 0.02%, compared to 0.08–0.10% on the spot side.
That gap adds up. A trader doing $100,000 in monthly futures volume at 0.06% taker pays $60 in fees. The same volume on spot at 0.10% costs $100. If you’re already trading futures, you’re paying less per trade than most fee guides would suggest.
How Fees Add Up: A Real Dollar Example
Say you trade futures on BloFin at the standard 0.06% taker rate. Here’s what you’d pay per month at different volume levels, and what you’d keep with TradeGetPaid’s 50% cashback:
| Monthly Volume | Fees Paid (0.06%) | TGP Cashback (50%) | Effective Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $30 | –$15 | $15 |
| $100,000 | $60 | –$30 | $30 |
| $500,000 | $300 | –$150 | $150 |
At $500K/month, that’s $1,800 saved per year just from routing through a rebate link. With Bitunix’s 70% cashback through TGP, the number climbs to $2,520 per year on the same volume.
How to Reduce Your Maker and Taker Fees
- Use limit orders when possible. If your trade isn’t time-sensitive, placing a limit order away from the market price qualifies you for the lower maker fee.
- Increase your volume tier. Most exchanges reduce fees as your 30-day volume grows. Check your exchange’s VIP schedule to see where you stand.
- Hold exchange tokens. Platforms like BingX and BloFin offer fee discounts when you hold or pay fees in their native token.
- Use a cashback platform. Services like TradeGetPaid return a percentage of every fee you pay, maker or taker, as automatic cashback. This stacks on top of VIP or token discounts.
Start Earning Back Your Trading Fees
Now that you know how maker and taker fees work, make sure you’re not overpaying. TradeGetPaid partners with exchanges like Bitunix, BloFin, BingX, and others to automatically return up to 70% of your trading fees as cashback. Nothing changes about how you trade. No minimums, no hoops. Sign up for free at TradeGetPaid and start getting paid back on every trade.
