How can I reduce my trading fees on OKX contracts?

Understanding OKX Contract Trading Fees

When engaging in futures and perpetual contracts on OKX, traders are subject to taker and maker fees, which are standard across most exchanges. The taker fee applies when you remove liquidity from the order book—this happens when your order is immediately filled. The maker fee applies when you add liquidity by placing a limit order that doesn’t get filled immediately. On OKX, default taker fees are typically 0.05%, while maker fees are around 0.02%. These rates can be reduced significantly through various mechanisms built into the platform. Understanding how these fees are structured is the first step toward minimizing them.

It’s crucial to note that fees vary by contract type, including USDⓈ-M and COIN-M futures. Additionally, OKX applies funding rates in perpetual contracts, which are separate from trading fees but affect overall trading costs. While funding rates are not directly reducible via fee discounts, lowering your base trading fees can help offset these recurring costs.

Leveraging OKB to Reduce Fees

One of the most effective ways to reduce trading fees on OKX is by holding and using OKB, the native utility token of the OKX ecosystem. If you pay your trading fees using OKB, you become eligible for a 30% discount on both maker and taker fees. This discount applies automatically if you have sufficient OKB balance in your account and have enabled OKB fee payment in your settings.

To activate this feature:

• Navigate to your Account Settings in the OKX trading interface.
• Select 'Fee Settings' under the Derivatives section.
• Choose 'Use OKB to Pay Fees'.
• Confirm the activation.

Once enabled, all applicable fees will be deducted in OKB at the discounted rate. For example, a standard taker fee of 0.05% drops to 0.035%, and the maker fee reduces from 0.02% to 0.014%. Keep in mind that your OKB balance must be sufficient to cover the fee amount at the time of trade execution. If not, the system will default to standard fee rates in USDT or the relevant settlement currency.

Participating in Tiered Fee Programs

OKX operates a volume-based fee tier system that rewards users with lower fees based on their 30-day trading volume and average net position. These tiers are updated every Tuesday and apply to both spot and derivatives trading. The higher your volume and OKB holdings, the lower your fees.

To qualify for reduced rates:

• Accumulate trading volume in USDⓈ-M or COIN-M futures over a rolling 30-day period.
• Maintain a certain amount of OKB in your account (held for at least 30 days to count toward tier benefits).
• Check your current fee tier in the 'Fee Tier' section under Account Settings.

For instance, users in VIP Tier 1 may enjoy taker fees as low as 0.04% and maker fees of 0.01%, even without OKB. Higher tiers offer even better rates, with top-tier users reaching taker fees of 0.01% and maker fees of -0.001% (rebate). These rebates mean you earn a small amount each time you provide liquidity. To maximize this benefit, consider consolidating your trading activity on OKX rather than spreading volume across multiple platforms.

Optimizing Order Types to Minimize Costs

Your choice of order type directly impacts whether you pay the maker or taker fee. To consistently pay the lower maker fee, you must place limit orders that rest on the order book rather than market orders that execute immediately.

Strategies to remain a maker:

• Place limit buy orders below the current market price and limit sell orders above it.
• Avoid using 'Post Only' orders unless you want to ensure your order doesn’t cross the spread.
• Use Reduce-Only settings when closing positions to prevent unintended opening of new trades.
• Monitor the order book depth to gauge where to place your limit orders for optimal fill probability.

Some traders use algorithmic or grid bots available on OKX to automate limit order placement. These bots continuously place and adjust orders to maintain maker status. By avoiding market orders, especially during low-liquidity periods, you can significantly reduce cumulative fees over time.

Utilizing Promotions and Fee Rebate Programs

OKX frequently runs promotional campaigns that offer zero-fee trading, fee rebates, or bonus rewards for new and active users. These promotions are often time-limited and tied to specific contract types or trading volumes.

To benefit from these offers:

• Visit the 'Promotions' section on the OKX website or app.
• Look for ongoing campaigns such as 'Zero-Fee Futures Trading' or 'Weekly Fee Rebates'.
• Opt-in if required, and meet the eligibility criteria (e.g., minimum trade volume).
• Track your rebate status in the 'Rewards Center'.

Some programs distribute fee vouchers that can be applied to future trades. Others provide direct USDT rebates based on weekly trading activity. These rebates are typically credited within 72 hours after the campaign period ends. Subscribing to OKX’s official announcements or enabling in-app notifications ensures you don’t miss limited-time opportunities.

Managing Account Structure and Sub-Accounts

If you operate multiple accounts or manage funds for others, OKX allows fee aggregation across sub-accounts. This means the combined trading volume of all sub-accounts under a main account can qualify for higher fee tiers.

To set this up:

• Create sub-accounts under your main OKX account.
• Enable 'Unified Trading' and 'Unified Fee Tier' in the Sub-Account settings.
• Ensure all sub-accounts are trading futures under the same fee structure.
• Monitor aggregated volume in the 'Sub-Account Management' dashboard.

This setup is particularly useful for teams or funds where individual sub-accounts may not meet volume thresholds alone. By pooling volume, the entire group benefits from lower fees. Note that OKB holdings are not aggregated—each account must hold OKB individually to qualify for OKB-based discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use OKB for fee discounts on all types of contracts?Yes, OKB fee discounts apply to all contract types on OKX, including USDⓈ-M perpetuals, quarterly futures, and COIN-M contracts. The 30% reduction is consistent across these products as long as OKB payment is enabled and sufficient balance is available.

What happens if my OKB balance is too low to cover the fee?If your OKB balance is insufficient at the time of trade execution, the system will automatically charge the standard fee in the settlement currency (e.g., USDT or BTC). No partial discounts are applied. You can replenish your OKB balance at any time via deposit or purchase.

Do fee tiers reset every month?OKX evaluates your 30-day rolling volume every Tuesday. There is no monthly reset—your tier is based on the last 30 days of activity, updated weekly. Increasing volume at any point within that window can trigger an immediate tier upgrade.

Are rebates available for taker orders?Generally, rebates are only offered to maker orders under VIP programs. Taker orders typically incur fees, even at the highest tiers. However, some promotional campaigns may include taker fee rebates as part of limited-time offers.