How does Upbit spot trading work? How is the handling fee calculated?

Upbit, a top South Korean crypto exchange, offers spot trading where users buy/sell at current prices; fees vary by pair and volume, with discounts for higher traders.

May 19, 2025 at 11:43 am

Upbit is one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges in South Korea, known for its robust trading platform and wide variety of trading options. Spot trading on Upbit allows users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies at the current market price. This article will delve into how spot trading works on Upbit and how the handling fees are calculated.

What is Spot Trading on Upbit?

Spot trading on Upbit refers to the process of trading cryptocurrencies for immediate delivery. When you engage in spot trading, you are buying or selling assets at the current market price. This is different from futures trading, where you agree to buy or sell an asset at a future date and price.

On Upbit, spot trading involves a few key components:

• Order Book: This displays all the buy and sell orders placed by users. It shows the best available price for buying or selling a cryptocurrency.
• Market Price: The current price at which a cryptocurrency can be bought or sold.
• Trading Pairs: Upbit offers various trading pairs, such as BTC/KRW, ETH/BTC, etc., allowing users to trade one cryptocurrency for another or for fiat currency.

How to Execute a Spot Trade on Upbit

To execute a spot trade on Upbit, follow these steps:

• Log into your Upbit account. Ensure you have completed the necessary verification processes.
• Navigate to the trading section. Select the cryptocurrency you wish to trade from the list of available options.
• Choose your trading pair. For example, if you want to buy Bitcoin with Korean Won, select the BTC/KRW pair.
• Place your order. You can choose between a market order or a limit order.
  • Market Order: This order is executed immediately at the best available price in the market.
  • Limit Order: This order allows you to set a specific price at which you want to buy or sell. The order will only be executed if the market reaches your specified price.
• Review and confirm your order. Double-check the details before submitting your order.

Understanding Upbit's Handling Fees

Handling fees, also known as transaction fees, are charges applied to each trade executed on Upbit. These fees are crucial for maintaining the platform and ensuring smooth operations. Upbit's handling fees vary depending on the trading pair and the user's trading volume.

How are Handling Fees Calculated on Upbit?

Upbit uses a maker-taker fee model to calculate handling fees. In this model, fees are divided into two categories:

• Maker Fees: These are charged when you add liquidity to the order book by placing a limit order that does not immediately get filled.
• Taker Fees: These are charged when you remove liquidity from the order book by placing a market order or a limit order that gets filled immediately.

The specific fee rates depend on the user's 30-day trading volume and the trading pair. Here's a general breakdown of how fees are calculated:

• BTC/KRW Trading Pair:
  • Maker Fee: 0.05%
  • Taker Fee: 0.05%
• ETH/KRW Trading Pair:
  • Maker Fee: 0.08%
  • Taker Fee: 0.08%

For users with higher trading volumes, Upbit offers tiered fee discounts. The more you trade, the lower your fees become. For example, if your 30-day trading volume exceeds a certain threshold, your fees might decrease to 0.04% for maker orders and 0.05% for taker orders.

Example of Fee Calculation

Let's consider an example to illustrate how fees are calculated. Suppose you want to buy 1 BTC with KRW at the current market price of 50,000,000 KRW. You place a market order, which means you are a taker.

• Trade Value: 50,000,000 KRW
• Taker Fee Rate: 0.05%
• Fee Calculation: 50,000,000 KRW * 0.05% = 25,000 KRW

So, the total cost of your trade would be 50,025,000 KRW (50,000,000 KRW for the BTC + 25,000 KRW in fees).

Viewing and Managing Fees on Upbit

To view and manage your fees on Upbit, you can follow these steps:

• Access your trading history. Navigate to the "Trade History" section on the Upbit platform.
• Review your transactions. You will see a detailed list of all your trades, including the fees charged for each transaction.
• Check your fee tier. Upbit displays your current fee tier based on your 30-day trading volume. You can monitor this to understand your fee rates.

Tips for Minimizing Handling Fees

To minimize handling fees on Upbit, consider the following strategies:

• Increase your trading volume. Higher volumes can qualify you for lower fee tiers.
• Use limit orders. By using limit orders, you can act as a maker and benefit from lower maker fees.
• Trade during off-peak times. Trading when the market is less active can increase the chances of your limit orders being filled, thus reducing your fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I trade cryptocurrencies other than Bitcoin and Ethereum on Upbit?

A: Yes, Upbit supports a wide range of cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. You can trade various altcoins and tokens, depending on the available trading pairs.

Q: Are there any additional fees besides the handling fees on Upbit?

A: Yes, besides handling fees, Upbit may charge withdrawal fees when you transfer cryptocurrencies out of your account. These fees vary depending on the cryptocurrency being withdrawn.

Q: How can I check the current market price on Upbit?

A: To check the current market price on Upbit, navigate to the trading section and select the cryptocurrency you are interested in. The platform will display the current market price for the selected trading pair.

Q: Is it possible to trade on Upbit using mobile devices?

A: Yes, Upbit offers a mobile app that allows you to trade on the go. You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play and access all the trading features available on the desktop version.