Which of the Three Major Crypto Exchanges Has the Lowest Fees?

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When trading cryptocurrencies, one of the most critical factors investors consider is trading fees. These fees directly impact your overall trading costs and, ultimately, your profits. Among the most trusted and widely used platforms in the crypto space are the so-called "Big Three" exchanges: Binance, OKX, and Huobi. Understanding which of these three major exchanges offers the lowest fees can help traders optimize their strategies, reduce expenses, and improve net returns.

Based on current fee structures, Binance generally offers the most competitive trading fees for standard users, with both maker and taker fees set at 0.1%. However, a deeper comparison reveals important nuances—especially when considering tiered pricing, fee discounts, and additional services. Let’s break down each platform’s fee model and compare them in detail.

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Fee Comparison: Binance vs OKX vs Huobi

Here’s a clear breakdown of the standard trading fees for each exchange:

1. Binance

Binance is known for its low base fees and high liquidity. While the standard rate is 0.1% for both makers and takers, users can reduce these further through Binance’s fee discount programs—such as holding BNB (Binance Coin), achieving higher VIP levels based on trading volume, or participating in referral programs.

2. OKX

OKX stands out with a more flexible and often lower fee structure compared to its peers. For active traders, especially those providing liquidity (makers), OKX can offer significantly reduced rates—down to 0.02% for makers and 0.03% for takers—depending on your 30-day trading volume and whether you hold OKB (OKX’s native token). This makes OKX particularly attractive for high-frequency or professional traders.

3. Huobi (Now Rebranded as HTX)

Huobi maintains a flat-rate model for regular users, charging 0.2% for both maker and taker orders. While this is higher than Binance and OKX, Huobi does offer fee reductions based on trading volume and HT (Huobi Token) holdings. However, even with discounts, it generally remains less competitive than the other two platforms in terms of base pricing.

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What Are the Big Three Crypto Exchanges?

The term "Big Three" refers to the three most prominent cryptocurrency exchanges globally, recognized for their security, trading volume, product diversity, and global reach.

Binance: Global Leader in Volume and Innovation

Binance is one of the largest crypto exchanges by daily trading volume and user base. It serves over 180 countries and supports a vast range of digital assets, including spot, futures, options, staking, savings, and NFTs. With a matching engine capable of processing up to 140 million orders per second, Binance excels in speed and scalability. Its ecosystem also includes Binance Academy (for education), Launchpad (for new projects), and charitable initiatives.

Despite its popularity, regulatory scrutiny in several jurisdictions has prompted Binance to adapt its operations in certain regions.

OKX: Advanced Trading with Competitive Fees

Founded in 2017, OKX has emerged as a leader in advanced trading features, offering deep liquidity across spot, futures, perpetual swaps, options, and DeFi integrations. It also provides a robust Web3 wallet and supports the OKC blockchain for decentralized applications.

OKX's tiered fee system rewards active traders with substantial reductions. Additionally, users who hold OKB can unlock further benefits, including fee discounts, exclusive events, and governance rights.

The platform emphasizes security and innovation, regularly introducing new financial products like earn programs, copy trading, and algo orders.

Huobi (HTX): Established Player with Global Reach

Originally founded in China and now headquartered in Singapore, Huobi—recently rebranded as HTX—has been a key player since 2013. It caters primarily to experienced traders and offers dozens of cryptocurrencies for trading across spot and derivatives markets.

While Huobi was once among the top exchanges by volume, increased competition and regulatory shifts have affected its market share. Still, it maintains a solid reputation for security and offers services like margin trading, lending, and staking.

Holding HT allows users to receive fee discounts and participate in platform incentives.

Core Keywords Summary

To align with search intent and improve visibility, here are the core keywords naturally integrated throughout this article:

These terms reflect common queries from traders comparing platforms based on cost-efficiency and functionality.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Which exchange has the lowest trading fees for beginners?
A: For new traders with lower volumes, Binance’s flat 0.1% fee is simple and cost-effective. However, OKX may offer better long-term value if you plan to increase trading activity or hold OKB.

Q: Can I reduce trading fees on these platforms?
A: Yes. All three exchanges offer fee discounts through native token ownership (BNB, OKB, HT), VIP tiers based on trading volume, and referral programs.

Q: What are maker and taker fees?
A: Maker fees apply when you place a limit order that adds liquidity to the market. Taker fees apply when you place a market order that removes liquidity. Exchanges often charge lower rates for makers to encourage order book depth.

Q: Is OKX cheaper than Binance?
A: For high-volume traders, yes—OKX typically offers lower taker and maker fees at higher VIP levels. But for average users without significant volume or OKB holdings, Binance’s 0.1% rate remains highly competitive.

Q: Are Huobi’s fees justified by their services?
A: While Huobi offers solid infrastructure and security, its standard 0.2% fee is relatively high compared to competitors. Traders seeking low-cost execution may find better alternatives unless they actively use HT for discounts.

Q: Do these exchanges charge withdrawal or deposit fees?
A: Deposit fees are usually zero for most cryptocurrencies. Withdrawal fees vary by coin and network congestion. Always check the latest fee schedule on each platform before transacting.

Final Thoughts

When evaluating which of the three major crypto exchanges has the lowest fees, the answer depends on your trading behavior:

Ultimately, while Binance leads in brand recognition and liquidity, OKX often wins in fee competitiveness—especially for serious traders aiming to minimize costs over time.

Remember: exchange fee structures are not static. They evolve based on market conditions, competition, and promotional campaigns. Stay informed, monitor your usage patterns, and consider using tools like fee calculators or multi-exchange tracking dashboards to make data-driven decisions.

By choosing the right platform—and optimizing your account settings—you can significantly reduce friction in your trading journey and keep more of your hard-earned gains.