What is the difference between maker and taker fees on OKX?

Understanding Maker and Taker Fees on OKX

On OKX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, trading fees are categorized into two primary types: maker fees and taker fees. These fees apply to every trade executed on the platform and are determined by whether the user adds liquidity to the order book or removes it. The distinction is crucial because it directly affects how much traders pay per transaction. When a user places an order that does not immediately match with an existing order—thereby adding depth to the market—they are considered a maker. In contrast, a taker is someone who places an order that gets filled immediately against an existing order, thus removing liquidity from the market.

The fundamental principle behind this fee structure is to incentivize market-making behavior. Exchanges like OKX reward users who provide liquidity because their orders help stabilize the market and improve price efficiency. As a result, maker fees are typically lower than taker fees, and in some cases, may even be negative (resulting in a rebate).

How Maker Fees Work on OKX

A maker fee is charged when your limit order does not execute immediately and instead rests on the order book. This means your order contributes to market depth by sitting as a pending bid or ask. For example, if the current best bid for BTC/USDT is $43,000 and you place a limit buy order at $42,900, your order will wait in the order book until the price drops to meet it. Since you are adding liquidity, you are classified as a maker.

On OKX, the standard maker fee rate for spot trading starts at 0.10% for users without any fee discounts. However, this rate can be reduced based on several factors:

• 30-day trading volume: Higher volume leads to lower fees.
• OKB holdings: Holding OKB, OKX’s native token, grants fee discounts.
• VIP tier status: OKX assigns users to VIP levels based on trading activity, each with different fee structures.

To check your current maker fee rate, navigate to the Fees & Limits section under Account settings. If you hold 500 OKB or more, you can receive up to a 40% discount on maker fees. For derivatives trading, maker fees can even go negative—meaning you earn a small rebate for placing resting orders.

How Taker Fees Work on OKX

A taker fee applies when your order is executed immediately against an existing order on the book. This happens when you place a market order or a limit order that matches the current best bid or ask. For instance, if you buy BTC/USDT at the current market price of $43,000, your order removes liquidity and you are charged the taker fee.

The standard taker fee on OKX for spot trading is 0.10%, the same as the base maker fee. However, unlike maker fees, taker fees are generally not discounted as aggressively and never go negative in spot trading. In futures and perpetual contracts, taker fees start at 0.020% and can be reduced through volume and OKB holdings.

To minimize taker fees:

• Use limit orders instead of market orders whenever possible.
• Accumulate OKB to unlock fee reductions.
• Increase your trading volume to qualify for higher VIP tiers.

Note that taker fees are always higher than maker fees under the same conditions, reinforcing the exchange’s incentive for users to act as market makers.

Step-by-Step: How to Check Your Fee Rate on OKX

To view your current maker and taker fees on OKX, follow these steps:

• Log in to your OKX account.
• Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Account.
• Navigate to the Fees & Limits tab.
• Select the trading product (e.g., Spot, Futures, Perpetual).
• View your current maker and taker fee rates based on your VIP level and OKB holdings.
• Adjust your OKB deduction setting to enable automatic fee discounts.

Ensure that OKB deduction is turned on in your settings to automatically apply discounts. You can find this option under Account Settings > Fee Settings. Without enabling this, you won’t benefit from holding OKB even if you meet the threshold.

Strategies to Reduce Fees on OKX

Traders can significantly reduce their trading costs on OKX by adopting specific strategies:

• Hold OKB: Staking or simply holding OKB reduces both maker and taker fees. The discount scales with the amount held.
• Use limit orders: Placing limit orders that rest on the book qualifies you for lower maker fees or rebates.
• Increase trading volume: Higher 30-day volume moves you up VIP tiers, which offer better fee rates.
• Trade during promotional periods: OKX occasionally runs campaigns with zero maker fees or enhanced rebates.
• Enable fee deduction in OKB: This setting ensures your fees are automatically discounted using OKB.

For institutional or high-frequency traders, OKX offers customized fee structures. Contact OKX Institutional Services to explore negotiated rates based on volume commitments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can maker fees be negative on OKX?Yes, in derivatives trading, maker fees can be negative. For example, certain perpetual contract pairs offer a -0.005% maker fee, meaning you receive a rebate for adding liquidity. This does not apply to spot trading.

How does OKX determine my VIP level?Your VIP level is based on your 30-day trading volume and average OKB holdings. The system updates daily. Higher volume and OKB balance move you into higher tiers with better fee rates and withdrawal limits.

Do market orders always incur taker fees?Yes, market orders always execute against existing orders, so they are always classified as taker trades and incur taker fees. To avoid this, use limit orders set away from the current market price.

Is there a difference in fees between spot and futures trading?Yes, futures and perpetual contracts have different fee structures. Maker fees in futures can be negative, and taker fees are generally lower than in spot trading. Fee rates vary by contract type and are listed in the Fees & Limits section.