Selecting a cryptocurrency exchange with the lowest fees can significantly impact your trading profitability.
This article compares the fee structures of prominent crypto exchanges in 2025, focusing on maker and taker fees, deposit and withdrawal costs, and strategies to minimize expenses.
Understanding Maker and Taker Fees
Most crypto exchanges distinguish between maker and taker fees. Maker fees apply to orders that add liquidity, such as limit orders that do not execute immediately. Taker fees are charged for orders that remove liquidity, like market orders that execute instantly. Maker fees are typically lower, incentivizing traders to provide liquidity.
Top Exchanges with Low Fees
Here’s a breakdown of eight exchanges with competitive fee structures in 2025, based on their maker and taker fees, supported cryptocurrencies, and unique features.
Binance
Binance, the world’s largest exchange, offers maker and taker fees of 0.10%. Traders can reduce fees by 25% when paying with Binance’s native token, BNB. High-volume traders may see fees drop to 0.009% (maker) and 0.018% (taker). Withdrawal fees vary by cryptocurrency, and deposit fees depend on the currency and method. Binance supports over 500 cryptocurrencies.
Kraken Pro
Kraken Pro is known for its security, having never been hacked. It charges 0.16% maker and 0.26% taker fees, with discounts for high-volume traders down to 0% (maker) and 0.1% (taker). Withdrawal and deposit fees vary by currency. Kraken supports over 230 cryptocurrencies.
Coinbase One
Coinbase One, a subscription-based service, offers zero trading fees on up to $10,000 in monthly trades for a $29.99 monthly fee. Beyond this limit, standard fees apply. Withdrawal fees vary, while ACH deposits and withdrawals are free, though wire transfers cost $10 (deposit) and $25 (withdrawal). Coinbase supports over 260 cryptocurrencies.
Gemini ActiveTrader
Gemini ActiveTrader, designed for experienced traders, charges 0.20% maker and 0.40% taker fees. It stands out for regulatory compliance, being available in all 50 U.S. states. Gemini does not charge additional withdrawal fees beyond network costs, and deposit fees depend on the method. It supports over 80 cryptocurrencies.
Bitstamp
Bitstamp, one of the oldest exchanges, charges 0.30% maker and 0.40% taker fees. Withdrawal fees vary by currency, and deposit fees depend on the method. Known for its security with cold storage, Bitstamp supports over 80 cryptocurrencies.
Phemex
Phemex offers 0.30% maker and 0.40% taker fees, with zero withdrawal fees. It provides trading bots and supports over 350 cryptocurrencies. Deposit fees vary by currency and method.
Strike
Strike, a Bitcoin-only platform, charges zero maker, taker, and withdrawal fees. Its spreads are typically under 1%, making it cost-effective for Bitcoin transactions. It supports only Bitcoin.
River
River, another Bitcoin-only platform, also charges zero maker, taker, and withdrawal fees, with spreads around 0.15%. It is available only in the United States and supports solely Bitcoin.
Additional Fees to Consider
Beyond trading fees, exchanges may charge for other services:
- Withdrawal Fees: Costs for transferring crypto off the platform vary widely. Some exchanges, like Phemex, Strike, and River, offer free withdrawals.
- Deposit Fees: Fees for depositing fiat currency depend on the method. ACH transfers are often free, while wire transfers may incur charges.
- Fiat Conversion Fees: Converting fiat to crypto typically incurs higher fees than crypto-to-crypto trades.
- Subscription Fees: Services like Coinbase One require a monthly fee for benefits like zero trading fees.
Strategies to Reduce Fees
To minimize trading costs, consider these approaches:
- Use Limit Orders: Qualify for lower maker fees by placing orders that add liquidity.
- Increase Trading Volume: Many exchanges offer fee discounts for high monthly trading activity.
- Pay with Native Tokens: Platforms like Binance, OKX, and KuCoin provide discounts for using their tokens (e.g., BNB, OKB, KCS).
- Join Subscription Programs: Services like Coinbase One or VIP tiers can lower fees for frequent traders.
Tax Implications of Trading Fees
Trading fees can reduce your taxable capital gains. Fees paid during buy transactions can be added to your cost basis, while sell transaction fees can be subtracted from proceeds. Check local regulations, as rules vary.
Decentralized Exchanges
Decentralized exchanges (DEXs) often have lower trading fees, typically ranging from 0.1% to 0.5%. However, blockchain gas fees can increase costs. Tools like 1inch help find the most cost-effective DEX trades.
Fiat-to-Crypto vs. Crypto-to-Crypto Fees
Fiat-to-crypto transactions, such as buying Bitcoin with USD, generally have higher fees than crypto-to-crypto trades, like swapping Ethereum for Bitcoin. Understanding these differences can help optimize costs.