9 Real‑World Exchanges Using Tiered Fees That Reward Higher Volume

Tiered trading fees are simple: the more you trade, the less you pay. Most leading crypto venues use maker-taker pricing with VIP trading tiers that step fees down as your 30‑day volume grows. This guide compares nine real exchanges with volume-driven fee incentives, covering starting rates, token discounts, supported assets, and who each platform suits best. Expect concise definitions, data-backed highlights, and a side-by-side table to quickly find the lowest trading fees by exchange for your profile. For context, fee tiers and maker-taker incentives are explained by industry sources as core mechanics for lowering costs and boosting on-exchange liquidity, especially for active traders and institutions (see plain-English overviews from Argoox on fee tiers, Alphapoint on exchange fees, and Gate.io’s explainer on how fees work).

Strategic Overview

Tiered trading fees are pricing schedules where an exchange calculates your 30‑day volume and automatically assigns you to a fee tier; higher tiers yield lower rates. Maker orders add liquidity (typically limit orders placed on the book), while taker orders remove liquidity (marketable orders that immediately fill). Many venues also layer discounts via an exchange platform token or staking to unlock deeper savings. This combination reduces total cost-of-trade and encourages liquidity provisioning—especially when maker fees are set below taker fees, as noted in clear definitions from Crypto.st’s fee tier dictionary and Argoox’s primer on crypto fee tiers.

Why it matters:

• Lower marginal costs at higher volume can improve net profitability, particularly for market makers and active swing traders.
• Maker-taker differentials can minimize slippage and deepen books, as described in Gate.io’s fee guide and Alphapoint’s survey of exchange fee models.
• Several “lowest fee” lists consistently rank platforms with 0.10% headline rates (or lower after discounts), underscoring competitive pressure among top venues for cost efficiency, per Koinly’s and CoinTracker’s roundups.

Comparison at a glance (fees and asset counts vary by jurisdiction; starting fees shown for entry tiers):

Sources: fee-tier definitions and models from Argoox, Crypto.st, and Nadcab’s dynamic fee model overview; exchange-specific details from official schedules and industry comparisons by Koinly and CoinTracker.

Kraken

Kraken pairs a transparent, volume-based maker-taker schedule with a long-standing security focus. Entry rates on Kraken Pro start around 0.25% for makers and 0.40% for takers, with progressive reductions tied to 30‑day volume, per the official Kraken fee schedule. Maker orders add liquidity to the book (often limit orders), while taker orders remove liquidity by filling resting orders—Kraken discloses both clearly in its tiered pricing.

Security and trust are core to Kraken’s brand, with consistent recognition in U.S. exchange rankings that emphasize security posture and service depth for advanced traders. The platform offers hundreds of assets, advanced order types, margin and futures, and low minimum deposits, making it a pragmatic venue for both U.S.-based and global traders who scale into lower fee bands as volume grows. See the current breakdown on the Kraken fee schedule page for exact thresholds and updates.

Citations: Kraken fee schedule (official); independent U.S. rankings highlight Kraken’s security posture and pro features (CoinBureau’s U.S. exchange guide).

Kraken fee schedule • Independent U.S. ranking perspective

Coinbase

Coinbase is widely used by beginners for its approachable interface and robust U.S. compliance posture. On Coinbase Advanced, maker-taker fees typically start around 0.50% and step down as 30‑day volume increases, a structure explained in third-party guides to Coinbase fees. A tiered fee structure means traders pay lower rates as their trading volume increases, incentivizing active participation on the platform.

Beyond ease of use, Coinbase is a regulated, publicly listed exchange (NASDAQ: COIN) offering custody-forward security, multiple order interfaces, and a clear upgrade path from retail to advanced tools. Independent reviewers consistently place Coinbase near the top for accessibility and U.S. availability.

Citations: A comprehensive third‑party breakdown of Coinbase trade fees; broader exchange comparisons that include Coinbase among top accessible choices.

Understanding Coinbase fees (overview) • Independent “best exchanges” comparison

Binance

Binance is known for aggressive pricing and deep liquidity across spot, margin, and futures. Entry rates commonly start at 0.10% for both maker and taker, with further reductions for high-volume traders. Users who opt to pay fees with Binance Coin (BNB) can receive an additional 25% discount, amplifying savings across VIP trading tiers, according to fee comparisons that track the lowest-fee exchanges.

Liquidity matters because it reduces slippage, especially for large orders; Binance’s breadth of markets and depth of book are key draws for both retail and institutional users seeking consistent execution quality.

Citation: Overview of low-fee exchanges detailing Binance’s 0.10% headline rate and BNB discount.

Binance fees and BNB discount (industry roundup)

Crypto.com

Crypto.com blends a mobile-first experience with a clear maker-taker model and CRO-based incentives. Entry rates are commonly around 0.25% maker and 0.50% taker, with reductions achieved through higher 30‑day volume and optional CRO staking. Staking is the act of locking up the platform’s native token (CRO) to unlock fee discounts and other rewards—an effective route for active app users to compress costs further.

Supports 100+ assets with a slick app experience for first-time traders, while still offering tiered pricing for pros who scale volume. Independent fee comparisons list Crypto.com alongside other low-cost venues that reward both activity and token engagement.

Citation: Industry comparison outlining Crypto.com’s starting fees and CRO staking benefits.

Crypto.com fees and CRO incentives (comparison)

Benefits by user type:

• Retail: intuitive app, clear tiers, CRO staking for extra discounts.
• Professional: competitive VIP tiers, API/advanced orders, CRO staking to drive down effective taker costs.

Gemini

Gemini emphasizes compliance, security, and institutional tooling. On Gemini’s ActiveTrader, entry-tier fees are about 0.35%, with significant reductions across higher volume bands. Security features include SOC 2 certification, two-factor authentication, and limited hot wallet insurance—components that have anchored Gemini’s reputation for safety-focused infrastructure.

Asset coverage hovers around 80 cryptocurrencies with broad U.S. availability. Institutional clients can access advanced order types, connectivity options, and operational controls suited to regulated trading environments.

Citation: Independent lists detailing Gemini’s fee tiers, asset scope, and security posture.

Gemini overview: fees and security (independent)

OKX

OKX runs competitive spot fees starting near 0.10% with VIP trading tiers that reduce costs for high-volume or high-balance users. Paying fees with the OKB token unlocks additional discounts. The platform spans 1,000+ assets, integrates DeFi tools, and offers a robust derivatives suite catering to sophisticated users.

Quick snapshot of OKX incentives:

Citation: A multi-exchange comparison highlighting OKX’s breadth and VIP/token-driven discounts.

OKX in top-exchange comparison

Bitget

Bitget specializes in derivatives while keeping spot fees sharp—typically around 0.10% at entry tiers—making it attractive to frequent and high-volume traders. A signature feature is copy trading, which allows newer participants to mirror the strategies of experienced traders; copy trading enables less experienced traders to automatically replicate the trades of proven professionals, potentially improving outcomes for beginners.

Bitget supports major crypto assets and a broad derivatives lineup, pairing low entry pricing with social trading tools and periodic promotions for active users.

Citation: Industry overview including Bitget’s positioning, fees, and product focus.

Bitget profile in exchange comparison

MEXC

MEXC is popular for altcoin discovery, with a catalog that exceeds 3,000 cryptocurrencies and starting spot fees around 0.20%. Traders can reduce costs via tiered volume discounts and additional savings by using the MX token. MEXC’s tiered fees reward traders with lower rates as their volume or MX holdings increase, maximizing cost efficiency for active users who seek early access to trending and low-cap names.

Citation: Comparative listings that spotlight MEXC’s breadth and token-incentivized tiers.

MEXC breadth and fees (comparison)

PrimeXBT

PrimeXBT appeals to high-volume professionals with flat, competitive spot fees near 0.10% and an advanced toolkit spanning order types and analytics. PrimeXBT’s flat and competitive fees make it especially suitable for professional traders focused on minimizing costs at scale.

Core strengths:

• Low base spot fees tailored to volume users.
• Advanced order routing and analytics.
• Infrastructure suited to algorithmic and discretionary pros.

Citation: Third-party exchange comparison referencing PrimeXBT’s low-cost positioning and pro focus.

PrimeXBT low-fee positioning (comparison)

Frequently asked questions

What are tiered trading fees and how do they work on crypto exchanges?

Tiered trading fees are pricing structures where traders pay lower fees as their 30‑day trading volume increases, rewarding activity and deeper participation.

How do maker and taker fees differ in tiered fee structures?

Maker fees apply to orders that add liquidity (e.g., resting limit orders), while taker fees apply to orders that remove liquidity; makers often pay less to incentivize book depth.

How is my fee tier calculated and how can I qualify for lower fees?

Exchanges compute your 30‑day volume across products and assign a tier; hitting higher thresholds—or holding/staking the platform token—unlocks lower fees.

Do platform tokens help reduce trading fees on top of volume discounts?

Yes. Many venues offer extra discounts when you pay fees with their native token (e.g., BNB, CRO, OKB, MX), stacking savings on top of volume tiers.

What risks should traders consider when pursuing higher fee tiers?

Avoid overtrading just to hit a tier; increased turnover can raise risk and slippage—stick to a strategy where fee savings don’t compromise trade quality.