Maker / Taker Fee

A maker/taker fee is a common pricing model used by crypto exchanges. A maker is a trader whose order adds liquidity to the order book, usually by placing a limit order that does not fill immediately. A taker is a trader whose order removes liquidity, usually by placing a market order or a limit order that matches an existing order right away. Exchanges often charge lower fees to makers because their orders help create a deeper, more active market.

This matters because fees affect the real cost of trading, especially for frequent traders or large orders. For example, if Bitcoin is offered at $60,000 and you place a market buy that fills instantly, you are the taker and pay the taker fee. If instead you place a limit buy at $59,900 and it waits on the book until someone sells into it, you are the maker and may pay a lower fee. The exact rates vary by exchange, trading volume, and account tier.