How to avoid trading fees on Gate.io

Gate.io offers multiple ways to reduce or eliminate trading fees, including holding GT tokens, joining fee-free promotions, boosting VIP level, and earning referral rebates.

Aug 11, 2025 at 12:14 pm

Understanding Gate.io Trading Fee Structure

Gate.io, like most centralized cryptocurrency exchanges, charges trading fees for buying and selling digital assets. These fees are typically divided into maker and taker fees, which depend on your trading behavior. Maker fees apply when you place a limit order that adds liquidity to the order book, while taker fees apply when you place a market order or a limit order that immediately matches an existing one, thus removing liquidity. The standard taker fee on Gate.io is 0.1%, while the maker fee is usually 0.1% unless you qualify for discounts.

Users often overlook the fact that Gate.io offers fee discounts based on several factors, including holding the native token GT, achieving higher VIP levels through trading volume, and using specific trading pairs. Understanding how these elements interact is essential to minimizing or eliminating trading fees entirely. GT token holders receive a 20% to 40% discount on trading fees depending on the amount of GT they hold and whether they have opted into fee discounts.

Holding and Utilizing GT Token for Fee Reduction

One of the most effective ways to reduce trading fees on Gate.io is by holding GT tokens in your spot wallet. GT is Gate.io’s native utility token, and the exchange incentivizes its use by offering tiered fee reductions. To activate the fee discount:

• Ensure you have GT tokens stored in your spot account (not in futures or other isolated wallets).
• Go to your account settings and enable the GT fee discount option under the trading fee section.
• Choose the discount level based on the amount of GT you hold. For example, holding over 1,000 GT grants a 20% discount, while over 1 million GT can offer up to 40% off trading fees.

It’s important to note that the discount applies only to the base trading fee, not withdrawal or deposit fees. The more GT you hold, the greater the discount. Some traders choose to allocate a portion of their portfolio to GT not only for fee savings but also for participation in exchange airdrops and token sales.

Participating in Fee-Free Trading Campaigns

Gate.io frequently runs limited-time promotional events that offer zero trading fees on select cryptocurrency pairs. These campaigns are often announced on the Gate.io homepage, blog, or via email newsletters. Examples include:

• Zero-fee weekends on specific altcoin pairs.
• New listing promotions where trading a newly listed token incurs no fees for the first few days.
• Holiday or anniversary events where the exchange waives fees across multiple trading pairs.

To take advantage of these opportunities:

• Regularly check the “Announcements” section on Gate.io.
• Subscribe to Gate.io’s official social media channels and newsletter.
• Monitor the “Promotions” tab within your account dashboard.

During these events, all users, regardless of VIP level or GT holdings, can trade without incurring fees. These windows are ideal for executing larger trades or experimenting with new tokens without cost overhead.

Increasing VIP Level Through Trading Volume

Gate.io operates a VIP tier system based on a user’s 30-day trading volume. Higher VIP levels correspond to lower trading fees, with the top tiers offering negative taker fees (rebates) for high-volume market makers. To qualify:

• Accumulate trading volume by executing spot or futures trades over a rolling 30-day period.
• Your VIP level is automatically updated based on your volume, visible under the “Fee Rate” section of your account.
• Each VIP level has different maker and taker fee rates. For example, VIP 5 may have a maker fee of -0.01% (you earn rebates) and a taker fee of 0.05%.

To maximize fee reduction:

• Focus on limit orders to benefit from lower maker fees.
• Use referral programs to increase volume indirectly—some VIP tiers consider referral trading volume toward your total.
• Consolidate trading activity on Gate.io instead of spreading volume across multiple exchanges.

Reaching higher VIP levels requires significant trading activity, but for active traders, the long-term savings are substantial.

Using Gate.io’s Referral Program to Offset Fees

Gate.io’s affiliate and referral system allows users to earn a percentage of the trading fees generated by referred users. This does not eliminate your own trading fees directly but can effectively offset them through rebates. To set this up:

• Navigate to the “Referral” section in your account.
• Copy your unique referral link and share it with others.
• When someone signs up and trades using your link, you earn up to 40% of their trading fees as GT tokens or USDT, depending on the program.

Over time, the accumulated referral income can fully compensate for your own trading costs. Some power users generate enough referral revenue to make their trading activity net-zero in terms of fees. To maximize earnings:

• Promote your link on social media, forums, or personal websites.
• Target active trading communities where users are likely to trade frequently.
• Monitor your referral dashboard to track earnings and optimize outreach.

Trading on Decentralized Gate.io (Gate DEX)

Gate.io also supports Gate DEX, a decentralized exchange built on blockchain technology. Unlike the centralized platform, Gate DEX may offer lower or no trading fees depending on the network and liquidity pool. While not always fee-free, DEX trading fees are often minimal and paid in the network’s native token (e.g., BNB for BSC).

To trade on Gate DEX:

• Connect a Web3 wallet like MetaMask to Gate DEX.
• Select a supported blockchain network.
• Swap tokens directly from your wallet—fees are determined by the blockchain’s gas cost and the DEX’s fee model.

Although gas fees may still apply, they are often lower than centralized trading fees, especially during off-peak hours. This method is ideal for users who prioritize decentralization and cost efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I completely eliminate trading fees on Gate.io?

Yes, through a combination of participating in zero-fee promotions, holding sufficient GT tokens, reaching high VIP levels, or earning referral rebates that offset your costs. No single method guarantees permanent zero fees, but strategic use of these options can result in net-zero trading costs.

Does staking GT reduce trading fees?

Staking GT does not directly reduce fees. Only holding GT in your spot wallet and enabling the fee discount qualifies for reductions. Staking GT in savings or DeFi products may earn interest but won’t contribute to fee discounts unless the tokens are moved back to the spot wallet.

Are futures trading fees also reducible?

Yes, futures trading fees on Gate.io follow the same VIP and GT discount structure as spot trading. Holding GT and maintaining high trading volume can lower both opening and closing fees on futures positions.

Do fee-free promotions apply to all users equally?

Yes, all registered users can participate in Gate.io’s fee-free trading campaigns, regardless of VIP status or GT holdings. These promotions are designed to boost platform engagement and are applied uniformly during the event period.