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Best Crypto Exchanges With the Lowest Trading Fees

20 mins
Fact Checked
by Maria Petrova
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Understanding and minimizing crypto exchange fees is crucial. With an overwhelming array of options, finding the crypto exchange with the lowest fees can feel like navigating a maze. This guide demystifies trading fees, commission rates, and the fee structures of leading platforms in 2024.

Methodology

Top crypto exchanges with the lowest fees

1. OKX

Reduced fees for OKB holders and VIP users
Spot trading fees
0.08% – 0.10%
Futures trading fees
0.02% / 0.05%
Native coin
OKB
VIP requirements
min 100K USD or 5M trading vol

2. MEXC

0% spot trading fees for MX holders
Spot trading fees
0%
Futures trading fees
0.00% / 0.01%
Native coin
MX
VIP requirements
N/A

3. Bybit

Reduced fees for VIP users
Spot trading fees
0.10%
Futures trading fees
0.02% / 0.0551%
Native coin
n/a
VIP requirements
Min $100K USD assets

4. BingX

Reduced fees for VIP traders
Spot trading fees
0.10%
Futures trading fees
0.014% / 0.040%
Native coin
n/a
VIP requirements
$1M volume or $50K assets

5. BYDFi

Low spot + derivatives trading fees
Spot trading fees
0.1% to 0.3%
Futures trading fees
0.02% / 0.06%
Native coin
n/a
VIP requirements
N/A

6. Binance

Reduced fees for VIP users, trading pairs with FDUSD
Spot trading fees
0.1%
Futures trading fees
0.02% / 0.05%
Native coin
BNB
VIP requirements
25 BNB + $1M trading vol

7. Kraken

Reduced fees for large trading volume
Spot trading fees
0.25% / 0.40%
Futures trading fees
0.02% / 0.05%
Native coin
N/A
VIP requirements
Min $10K trading volume

8. Bitget

Reduced fees for holding BGB tokens and VIP users
Spot trading fees
0.10%
Futures trading fees
0.02% / 0.06%
Native coin
BGB
VIP requirements
$1M trading volume + $50K assets

9. CoinEx

Reduced fees for CET holders and VIP users
Spot trading fees
0.20%
Futures trading fees
0.03% / 0.05%
Native coin
CET
VIP requirements
$10K trading volume + $10K assets

Understanding crypto exchange fees

Understanding the fee structure of the crypto platform you choose to trade on is crucial. These charges, often referred to as crypto exchange fees, play a significant role in your trading experience and profitability. 

What are trading fees?

Trading fees are essentially the cost cryptocurrency exchanges charge for facilitating buy and sell orders on their platforms. These fees can vary significantly between exchanges, making the search for a crypto exchange with the lowest fees a vital step for traders aiming to maximize their earnings. 

Fee structures can include various types of charges, such as spot trading fees, withdrawal fees, and even specific costs for using services like API trading or margin trading

Notably, some platforms have started offering no-fee crypto trading for certain types of transactions, which is a game-changer for cost-conscious traders.

Difference between maker and taker fees

A critical component of trading fees that often puzzles newcomers is the distinction between maker and taker fees. Maker fees apply when you add liquidity to the market, typically by placing a limit order that doesn’t fill immediately. 

Taker fees, on the other hand, are charged when you remove liquidity from the market, usually by fulfilling an existing order. This distinction incentivizes traders to add liquidity, thereby ensuring a more stable and efficient market. 

How trading fees influence your investment returns

High commission rates and trading fees can significantly affect your earnings, especially if you are a frequent trader. This makes pursuing low-fee crypto exchanges a preference and a necessity for profitability. For instance, spot trading fees applied to immediate buy or sell orders can vary widely between platforms.

Other charges like withdrawal fees, fiat-to-crypto fees, and crypto-to-crypto fees add up, affecting your overall return on investment. The quest for the cheapest crypto exchange is not just about the numbers; it’s about understanding the entire fee ecosystem, including hidden costs like gas fees associated with the blockchain technology underlying these transactions.

Exchanges like Binance, MEXC, and Kraken offer competitive fees. Still, it’s crucial to delve into the specifics of their fee structures to determine which truly offers the lowest costs for your trading strategy.

Finding your ideal crypto trading platform

Selecting the ideal crypto exchange requires careful consideration of several key aspects. Here’s a more detailed guide to help you choose one that fits your needs:

Security measures

Look for exchanges that prioritize your safety with robust security features. These should include two-factor authentication (2FA), which adds an extra layer of security to your account login process. Encryption of your data helps protect your privacy, while cold storage of assets means most funds are kept offline, away from potential online threats.

Available cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin, BTC, Standard Chartered, Plan B, Grayscale

The variety of cryptocurrencies available for trading can vary widely from one exchange to another. While some platforms boast a broad selection of digital currencies, others focus on a more limited set. 

Consider what you’re interested in buying, selling, or trading. If you want to explore beyond the most popular coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum, find an exchange offering a wide range of altcoinsThis ensures you have the flexibility to diversify your portfolio or explore new investment opportunities as they arise.

For instance, Kraken offers about 250+ cryptos, while Bybit offers over 590+ cryptocurrencies. If trading diverse altcoins is on your agenda, check out some of the best exchanges to trade altcoins.

Customer support

Effective customer support can significantly enhance your trading experience. It’s important to choose an exchange that is responsive and accessible when you need assistance. Look for platforms that offer multiple support channels, such as live chat, email, and phone support.

Quick response times and the availability of helpful resources, like FAQs or tutorial videos, can also be a good indicator of a platform’s dedication to its users. An exchange with reliable customer support ensures that help is available whenever you encounter any issues or have questions.

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Ease of use

An exchange’s user interface and overall user experience are crucial, especially for beginners. An intuitive design makes navigating the platform easier, executing trades, and accessing your portfolio without confusion.

Some exchanges also offer features like mobile apps, which allow you to trade and monitor your investments. Consider starting with a platform known for its user-friendly interface, whether you’re new to crypto trading or prefer a straightforward and efficient trading environment.

Tips for minimizing trading fees

Minimizing trading fees is essential for maximizing your returns in cryptocurrency trading. With a strategic approach, you can significantly reduce the costs associated with your transactions. Here are some tips to help you keep fees to a minimum.

Use exchange tokens for discounts

Many cryptocurrency exchanges offer native tokens, which you can use to get discounts on trading fees. You can enjoy reduced costs by holding these tokens in your account and using them to pay for expenses. This method is particularly effective on platforms like Binance, known for its Binance Coin (BNB), which allows users to access lower commission rates. But today, many exchanges offer such coins for an extra discount on trading fees.

It’s smart for regular traders to invest in these tokens, as the savings can be significant over time, making it a staple strategy for anyone looking to trade on the cheapest crypto exchange possible.

Opting for limit orders over market orders

The type of order you place can also impact your trading fees. Limit orders, where you specify the price you’re willing to buy or sell a cryptocurrency, often come with lower fees than market orders, where you buy or sell immediately at the current market price. 

This is because limit orders add liquidity to the market, which exchanges value. By choosing limit orders, you gain more control over your trading prices and take advantage of lower maker fees than taker fees associated with market orders. This approach benefits those meticulously managing their trading expenses, especially on platforms with distinct maker-and-taker fee structures.

Taking advantage of fee-tier systems

Buy Bitcoin

Many crypto exchanges with the lowest fees implement fee-tier systems based on your trading volume or account balance. The more you trade or the higher your account balance, the lower your costs can be. This incentivizes traders to consolidate their trades on one platform to enjoy reduced commission rates.

By understanding and leveraging these tiered fee structures, you can significantly decrease your spending on spot trading, maker and taker, and withdrawal fees. It’s worth reviewing the fee structures of different crypto exchanges to identify which ones offer the most favorable conditions for your trading habits.

Incorporating these strategies can lead to substantial savings on trading fees over time. Whether through the strategic use of exchange tokens, opting for limit orders, or taking advantage of fee-tier systems, each method offers a pathway to more cost-effective trading.

What types of fees do crypto exchanges charge?

Crypto exchanges can charge a variety of fees for the services they provide. Here’s a breakdown of the common types of fees you may encounter:

Trading fees

These are the fees you pay for each trade you make on an exchange. Trading fees can be divided into two categories: maker and taker fees. Maker fees apply when you add liquidity to the market (e.g., placing a limit order), while taker fees are charged when you take liquidity away (e.g., fulfilling an existing order).

Withdrawal fees

When you want to withdraw your crypto from the exchange to your own crypto wallet, you may be charged a withdrawal fee. This fee varies depending on the blockchain network’s congestion and the cryptocurrency you are withdrawing.

Deposit fees

Some exchanges charge fees for depositing funds or cryptocurrencies. However, many crypto exchanges with the lowest fees do not charge for deposits to encourage more transactions on their platform.

Spot trading fees

For immediate buy or sell orders, spot trading fees are applied. These are a subset of trading fees and are common on exchanges that offer spot trading options.

Margin trading fees

If you engage in margin trading, where you borrow funds to trade, you will incur margin trading fees. These fees can include interest on the borrowed funds.

Fiat to crypto fees

When converting fiat currency (USD or EUR) to cryptocurrency, exchanges may charge a fee for this service. However, most platforms will charge a fee of around 0.05% conversion rate for this transfer. The rates can vary across platforms.

Crypto to crypto fees

Exchanging one cryptocurrency for another also incurs fees, often part of the trading fees but sometimes listed separately by some exchanges. If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest trading fees, look out for the occasional promos, as some exchanges might drop fees to 0% for specific crypto pairs.

API trading fees

Traders using automated strategies via APIs might be subject to API trading fees, depending on the volume and type of transactions.

No-fee crypto trading

Some platforms offer no-fee trading for specific pairs or actions as a way to attract users. This usually applies to certain conditions or promotional periods. Given that trading fees are usually a percentage of your trade, this can be a great way to save funds on bigger trades. 

Gas fees

Not directly a fee charged by exchanges, but when moving assets across blockchain networks, you pay gas fees. This is a fee you will have to pay when moving funds to and from your crypto wallet. The gas fee compensates for the computing energy required to process and validate transactions on the blockchain.

Where can I buy crypto with the lowest fees?

crypto payroll web3 person walking running money fiat

Using the platforms mentioned above will guarantee you benefit from the lowest crypto exchange fees on the market. These commission rates are some of the lowest you will find on any exchange.

However, investigate the entire trading fee structure before settling for one or a couple of exchanges with the lowest fees. Some exchanges offer more advantageous spot trading fees, while others are better suited for derivatives or margin trading fees. It’s all about your trading strategy and how you intend to use the platform. For some traders, it’s not about the fee structure but the withdrawal fees.

However, the most important thing is to define the list of cryptocurrencies you want to trade. Not all cryptos are available on all trading platforms. And it may be possible that only some cryptos have the same trading fee, even on the same platform. Traders are responsible for researching and understanding the fees they must pay.

Lower trading fees equal higher profits

Successfully navigating crypto trading requires a deep understanding of the various fees — from trading to withdrawal — that exchanges impose and how these costs impact your trading activities. Choosing platforms that offer low fees and transparent pricing is crucial for maximizing gains in the dynamic crypto market.

Additionally, it’s important to assess each exchange’s security features, variety of cryptocurrencies, quality of customer service, and user-friendliness. A careful examination and selection based on these criteria will ensure a safer and more satisfying trading journey. With the fee structures outlined in this guide, you’re better equipped to choose an exchange that fits your financial goals, leading to a more cost-effective and profitable trading experience.

Frequently asked questions

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Iulia Vasile
Iulia Vasile is a seasoned professional in the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry, working full-time in the field since 2017. With a background in computer engineering, she has the unique ability to write about complicated topics, including DeFi, NFTs, trading, and AI, in a way that is easy to understand. Iulia learned multiple programming languages while completing her Software Engineering degree in Bucharest at Politehnica University. Iulia brings her expertise and personal...
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