What are the trading fees for KuCoin Futures?

KuCoin Futures offers tiered maker-taker fees, with makers earning rebates (e.g., -0.01%) and takers paying low rates (e.g., 0.02%), adjustable via VIP levels based on volume or KCS holdings.

Aug 10, 2025 at 11:14 am

Understanding KuCoin Futures Trading Fees Structure

KuCoin Futures operates on a tiered fee model that differentiates between maker and taker fees. These fees are applied to every futures contract trade executed on the platform. The distinction lies in how the order impacts market liquidity. A maker order adds liquidity by resting on the order book without immediate execution, while a taker order removes liquidity by matching with an existing order. KuCoin typically offers lower fees for makers to incentivize order book depth.

The standard fee rates for users not in any VIP tier are 0.02% for takers and -0.01% for makers. The negative maker fee indicates that makers receive a rebate, meaning KuCoin pays traders a small amount for providing liquidity. These base rates apply to all futures contracts, including USDT-margined and COIN-margined derivatives.

Factors Influencing Fee Rates

Several variables affect the actual fees paid on KuCoin Futures beyond the base rates. The most significant is the user’s VIP level, determined by either 30-day trading volume or the amount of KCS (KuCoin Shares) held in the account. Higher trading volume or KCS holdings unlock lower fee tiers, including reduced taker fees and increased maker rebates.

Another influencing factor is the trading pair. While most major pairs follow the standard fee structure, some low-volume or newly listed contracts might have different fee treatments, though this is rare on KuCoin. Additionally, promotional campaigns occasionally offer zero-fee trading windows, particularly during new product launches or seasonal events.

VIP Tiers and Fee Discounts

KuCoin assigns users to one of several VIP levels based on cumulative trading volume or KCS balance. Each tier adjusts the maker and taker fee rates accordingly. For example:

• Users with high 30-day futures volume (e.g., over 50 million USDT) may reach VIP 4 or higher, achieving taker fees as low as 0.008% and maker rebates up to -0.025%.
• Holding a significant amount of KCS (e.g., 5,000 KCS or more) also grants access to lower fee brackets.
• Fee discounts are applied automatically once the system detects qualifying volume or holdings.

To check your current VIP level:

• Log in to your KuCoin account
• Navigate to the Fees & Limits section under Account Settings
• Select the Futures tab to view applicable maker/taker rates
• Confirm your 30-day trading volume and KCS balance in the dashboard

Calculating Real-Time Trading Fees

To determine the exact fee for a futures trade, consider the following formula:

Fee = Nominal Value of Trade × Applicable Fee Rate

For example, opening a long position of 1 BTC/USDT with a contract value of 50,000 USDT:

• If you place a limit order that becomes a maker, at a rate of -0.01%, the fee is 50,000 × (-0.0001) = -5 USDT — a 5 USDT rebate.
• If you use a market order (taker) at 0.02%, the fee is 50,000 × 0.0002 = 10 USDT deducted from your wallet.

Fees are settled in the settlement currency of the contract. For USDT-margined futures, fees are paid in USDT. For BTC-margined contracts, fees are deducted in BTC. The system automatically deducts or credits fees upon order execution.

How to Reduce Futures Trading Fees

There are multiple strategies to minimize fees on KuCoin Futures:

• Hold KCS in your account: Staking or simply holding KCS qualifies you for fee reductions. The more KCS you hold, the higher the discount.
• Increase 30-day trading volume: Consistently trading across multiple sessions improves your VIP level.
• Use limit orders: Submitting maker orders not only lowers costs but can generate rebates.
• Participate in fee rebate programs: KuCoin occasionally runs campaigns where users can apply for additional fee refunds.
• Avoid unnecessary market orders: Market orders always incur taker fees; using limit orders when possible is more economical.

To maximize savings:

• Enable fee discount with KCS in account settings
• Monitor your trading volume dashboard weekly
• Set price alerts to place limit orders near key levels instead of executing immediately

Funding Fees vs. Trading Fees

It is essential to distinguish trading fees from funding fees. Trading fees are charged by KuCoin for executing buy/sell orders. Funding fees, however, are periodic payments exchanged between long and short position holders every 8 hours to align the futures price with the spot market.

Funding fees are not paid to KuCoin but are transferred peer-to-peer among traders. The rate is determined by the funding rate mechanism and varies per contract. These fees are separate from maker/taker charges and do not affect your trading fee tier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay fees when closing a futures position?

Yes, closing a position incurs the same maker or taker fee as opening it. If you close using a market order, you pay the taker fee. If you use a limit order that rests on the book, you may receive a maker rebate.

Can I use other tokens to pay trading fees?

No, fees must be paid in the settlement currency of the contract. For USDT-margined futures, only USDT is accepted. For COIN-margined contracts, the base cryptocurrency (e.g., BTC, ETH) is used.

Are fees different for cross and isolated margin modes?

No, the margin mode does not affect trading fees. Whether you use cross or isolated margin, the maker and taker rates remain identical based on your VIP level and order type.

How often are VIP levels updated?

VIP levels are recalculated every 24 hours based on your rolling 30-day trading volume and current KCS balance. Changes take effect within one business day after meeting new thresholds.