BitMEX Trading Fees Breakdown: Spot & Derivatives
In this guide, we break down all the key fees charged by BitMEX, including maker and taker fees, funding rates, withdrawal costs, and any hidden charges. We also highlight available discounts, such as reduced fees for using native tokens or qualifying for VIP tiers. Finally, we compare BitMEX’s pricing with that of leading competitors to help you evaluate whether the platform offers strong cost efficiency.
Based on my research, BitMEX offers lower-than-average trading fees
As a member of the TU analytics team, I contributed to the in-depth analysis of more than 200 cryptocurrency exchanges, assessing over 140 criteria , including trading fees, non-trading charges, discount programs, and product offerings.
- According to the TU crypto exchange evaluation methodology, BitMEX earned a score of 8/10.
- BitMEX ranks #64 in our cryptocurrency exchange rating based on its overall performance across key evaluation criteria.
Below is a closer look at how BitMEX structures its trading and non-trading fees.
| BitMEX fee | Market average Based on the analysis of over 200 cryptocurrency exchanges | |
|---|---|---|
| Futures taker, % | 0.075 | 0,054 |
| Futures maker, % | 0.02 | 0,024 |
| Spot taker, % | 0.1 | 0,194 |
| Spot maker, % | 0.1 | 0,15 |
| Deposit fee | 0 | 0 |
| Withdrawal fee | 1% | Vary |
BitMEX Futures Fees: Is BitMEX Cheap for Derivatives Traders?
BitMEX offers futures trading with a clear and competitive fee structure. The base fee is 0.02% for makers and 0.075% for takers, while the industry average stands at approximately 0.024% for makers and 0.053% for takers.
As with most major exchanges, trading fees on BitMEX decrease as your trading volume increases. For example, if your 30-day trading volume reaches $15 million, fees drop to 0.025% for makers and 0.05% for takers.
To help you evaluate cost efficiency, we’ve compared BitMEX futures fees with those of its top 2 competitors in the derivatives market.
| BitMEX | Kraken | Coinbase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot maker fee, % | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Spot taker fee, % | 0.075 | 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Futures maker fee ($15M turnover), % | 0.025 | 0.01 | 0.018 |
| Futures taker fee ($15M turnover), % | 0.05 | 0.035 | 0.03 |
BitMEX spot fees: Is it cheap for spot trading?
The base spot trading fee on BitMEX is 0.1% for makers and 0.1% for takers, compared with the industry average of 0.15% for makers and 0.194% for takers. Like most crypto exchanges, BitMEX offers trading fee discounts as your spot trading volume increases. For instance, if your 30-day volume reaches $5 million, the fee on BitMEX drops to 0.08% for makers and 0.08% for takers. To help you assess value, we've also compared BitMEX spot trading fees with those of its top 2 competitors.
| BitMEX | Kraken | Coinbase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot maker fee, % | 0.1 | 0.25 | 0.5 |
| Spot taker fee, % | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| Spot maker fee ($5M turnover), % | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.08 |
| Spot taker fee ($5M turnover), % | 0.08 | 0.12 | 0.18 |
How can I reduce trading fees on BitMEX?
There are two primary ways to lower your trading fees on BitMEX:
-
Hold BitMEX native token
You can receive a discount of 10-55% on trading fees when you pay with or hold the platform’s native token. Be sure to check the exact terms on the official website.
-
Increase your 30-day trading volume At Traders Union we recommend using this option with caution. Actively increasing your trading volume solely to access lower fees can introduce unnecessary risks and greater exposure to market volatility.
The more you trade, the lower your maker/taker fees become, following BitMEX tiered fee structure.
For full details, including the latest complete fee schedule and discount tiers, visit BitMEX official website.
Does BitMEX charge fees for deposits and withdrawals?
BitMEX generally does not charge fees for deposits, particularly for cryptocurrency transfers.
To help you better evaluate the total cost of using BitMEX, we’ve compared its non-trading fees, including deposit and withdrawal charges, with those of its top competitors.
| BitMEX | Kraken | Coinbase | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit fee | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Withdrawal fee | 0 | 0.0005 BTC |
Fixed fee - 25 USD PayPal - 1.5% USDC - 10 USD |
Does BitMEX offer P2P trading?
Yes, BitMEX supports peer-to-peer (P2P) trading, allowing users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly with each other. The platform charges a P2P maker fee of 0,01% and a P2P taker fee of 0,075%, which are generally competitive compared to other major exchanges.
For a list of exchanges that support P2P trading, check out our dedicated article on the Best P2P Crypto Exchanges.
Minimizing crypto trading costs: Expert tips
Choosing the right crypto exchange is essential for keeping trading costs low and protecting your profits. Based on our recent in-depth analysis of over 200 exchanges across 140+ evaluation criteria, here are expert insights to help you reduce fees, maximize available discounts, and select platforms that align with your trading goals.
Many exchanges offer reduced trading fees when you use or hold their native token to pay for transactions. These discounts can reach up to 50%, making them especially attractive for high-frequency traders.
| OKX | Crypto.com | CoinMetro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native token discount, % | 10-40 | 1-100 | 5–50 |
While these discounts can be valuable, it’s important to consider the volatility of native tokens. A sharp decline in token value may erase any fee savings and could result in losses if the token is held solely for discount purposes. Before committing, calculate your expected savings and consider whether holding a speculative asset aligns with your broader trading strategy.
Editors' Top Picks and Insights
Five years with Bitcoin: How El Salvador changed after legalizing BTC
Crypto on the court: How NBA Finals became a showcase for Ledger
How to build wealth from scratch in 3 practical steps
Kospi Index crash: Why South Korean market fell alongside AI stocks
Bitcoin or Ferrari: Which investment is better?