How to trade crypto contracts with zero maker fees? (Promo Guide)

Understanding Zero Maker Fee Structures

1. Maker fees are charged when an order is placed and added to the order book without immediate execution. Platforms offering zero maker fees incentivize liquidity provision by waiving these charges entirely.

2. These fee models typically apply only to specific contract pairs, often those with high trading volume or newly listed perpetuals. Traders must verify eligibility per symbol before initiating orders.

3. Zero maker fees do not eliminate taker fees—those incurred when matching against existing orders remain active and vary by tier or referral status.

4. Some exchanges require users to hold native tokens to qualify for the zero maker fee promotion, locking a minimum balance for a defined duration.

5. The absence of maker fees does not affect margin requirements, liquidation parameters, or funding rate calculations. All standard contract mechanics remain fully operational.

Eligible Platforms and Verification Steps

1. Binance Futures introduced zero maker fees on selected USDT-margined perpetual contracts during promotional periods, accessible after completing KYC Level 2 verification.

2. Bybit displays real-time fee tiers directly in the trading interface; users must check the “Fee Schedule” tab under Account Settings to confirm current zero-maker eligibility.

3. OKX requires traders to opt into the “Liquidity Provider Program” manually—enabling it triggers automatic application of zero maker fees on qualifying BTC and ETH perpetuals.

4. Gate.io applies the benefit exclusively to users with VIP level 3 or higher, determined by 30-day average equity and trading volume in GT tokens.

5. KuCoin mandates binding a verified email and phone number, then activating two-factor authentication before the zero maker fee toggle becomes visible in the derivatives dashboard.

Order Placement Mechanics Under Zero Fee Conditions

1. Limit orders placed with post-only or reduce-only flags retain zero maker treatment even during volatile price gaps.

2. Stop-market and stop-limit orders are excluded from the zero fee benefit—their execution always incurs taker fees regardless of trigger method.

3. Trailing stop orders inherit the maker/taker classification of their triggered leg; if triggered as a limit order resting on the book, zero maker applies.

4. Iceberg orders split into multiple visible portions still qualify as maker orders as long as each sub-order rests passively on the book.

5. Conditional orders configured via API must include the parameter “reduceOnly”: false explicitly to avoid unintended taker classification upon activation.

Risk Management Adjustments for Fee-Optimized Trading

1. Increased order frequency due to eliminated maker costs may amplify exposure to slippage during low-depth intervals—monitoring order book depth at bid/ask levels becomes critical.

2. Traders using grid strategies must recalculate breakeven thresholds, as removed maker fees shift the profitability curve toward tighter spreads and smaller move targets.

3. Arbitrage setups across exchanges demand recalibration of latency-sensitive entry logic—zero maker environments allow faster resting order deployment but heighten competition for top-of-book placement.

4. Portfolio margin accounts may experience altered collateral efficiency metrics since fee accruals no longer contribute to margin utilization calculations.

5. Backtesting results generated pre-promotion require revalidation with zero-fee assumptions applied to all passive order fills in historical simulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do zero maker fees apply to both long and short positions equally?Yes. The fee waiver applies to all directional limit orders that add liquidity, irrespective of position side.

Q: Can I withdraw funds while participating in the zero maker fee program?Yes. No fund lockup is imposed solely for fee eligibility—only account verification and optional token staking conditions apply.

Q: Is there a daily cap on how many zero-fee orders I can place?No daily cap exists. Eligibility remains active per order as long as account status and symbol conditions are continuously met.

Q: What happens if my order gets partially filled and the remainder stays on the book?The unfilled portion retains its maker status and continues to benefit from zero fees until cancellation or full execution.