Maker and Taker Fees in Crypto Trading

In order to trade cryptocurrencies on a centralized crypto exchange (CEX), it is necessary to pay trading fees. 

It is important to have a clear understanding of the various types of trading fees that you will be charged by crypto exchanges.

Fees on cryptocurrency exchanges are usually dependent on the type of order and are charged when the order is matched and executed. Typically, exchanges differentiate between two types of orders: limit orders, which are usually charged maker fees, and market orders, which are usually charged taker fees.

What are Maker and Taker Fees in Crypto Trading?

Maker Fees

A maker fee is a fee charged to traders who add liquidity to the order book by placing a limit order that is not immediately matched by an existing order on the exchange. In other words, if a trader places a buy order at a price lower than the current market price or a sell order at a price higher than the current market price, and that order is not immediately matched by an existing order, then the trader is considered a "maker."

Makers are rewarded by the exchange for providing liquidity to the market, and are usually charged lower fees than takers. This is because makers help to keep the order book full and ensure that there is always a supply of coins available for other traders to buy or sell.

Taker Fees

A taker fee, on the other hand, is a fee charged to traders who take liquidity from the order book by placing a market order that is immediately matched with an existing order on the exchange. In other words, if a trader places a market order to buy or sell cryptocurrency at the current market price, and that order is immediately matched by an existing order, then the trader is considered a "taker."

Takers are charged higher fees than makers because they are taking liquidity from the order book, which can cause the spread between the buy and sell prices to widen. Takers are essentially paying for the convenience of being able to execute their trades quickly, without having to wait for an existing order to be matched.

To further clarify, takers execute orders that makers have placed, and in a symbiotic relationship, takers are charged a fee for taking liquidity from the order book.

How Crypto Exchanges Calculate Trading Fees

The specific maker and taker fees charged by an exchange can vary widely, depending on factors such as the exchange's business model, the liquidity of the market, and the trading volume of the user. Some exchanges offer volume-based fee structures, where users who trade larger volumes are charged lower fees. Other exchanges may offer tiered fee structures, where users who hold a certain amount of the exchange's native token are charged lower fees.

It is important to note that some exchanges may also charge additional fees, such as deposit and withdrawal fees, network fees for transferring cryptocurrency, or fees for using certain features or services offered by the exchange.

To calculate the maker and taker fees for a specific trade, users should consult the fee schedule provided by the exchange. The fee schedule will outline the specific fee rates and any additional fees that may be charged. Users should also be aware of any fee discounts or promotions offered by the exchange, as these can help to reduce the overall cost of trading.

Conclusion

Makers are responsible for creating buy or sell orders that are not executed immediately, thus creating liquidity for other traders. This liquidity makes it easier for takers who wish to buy or sell immediately to do so at a price specified by the makers' orders.

Takers are those traders who wish to buy or sell immediately and take the orders created by the makers. When makers' orders are executed, they are charged a maker fee, while takers are charged a taker fee for their immediacy.

It's possible for an order to be charged both maker and taker fees. For example, if you place an order that is partially executed immediately, you will be charged a taker fee for that portion. The remaining portion of your order will be added to the order book and will be charged a maker fee if/when it is executed.

It's recommended to use limit orders when trading to benefit from lower maker fees. Crypto exchanges generally reward makers with lower fees since they add liquidity. Since takers enjoy immediacy, they pay a higher fee for this convenience.

Related Articles

What is DeFi in Crypto?

They also don’t require users to pay any fees or commissions for using them – this makes them a more affordable option for those who need access to financial services but don’t have access to traditional banks or brokers. Additionally, DeFi platforms are...

---

On-Chain Transactions

When transaction volume is high, network fees climb as well. The network might become exceedingly expensive to utilize at times of heavy demand.

---

Centralized Crypto Exchange (CEX)

Unlike P2P transactions, centralized exchanges often charge high fees for their services and convenience. These fees can be particularly high when trading large amounts.

---

Liquidity in Cryptocurrency

The difference between the highest bid (selling) price and the lowest ask (purchasing) price in the order book is known as the bid-ask spread. The narrower the spread, the more liquid a cryptocurrency is...

---