Trading
How to read an exchange fee table without getting caught out
Editorial desk · 1 min read ·
Maker, taker, spread and withdrawal costs are four different things. Here is how they combine into what you actually pay.
The headline fee on an exchange homepage is almost never the number you pay. Four separate costs stack up, and only two of them usually appear in the marketing.
Maker versus taker
You are a maker when your order sits on the book waiting to be filled, and a taker when your order fills immediately against someone else's. Market orders are always taker orders, so most beginners pay the taker fee every time.
The spread is a fee too
The gap between the best buy and sell price is a real cost. On simple 'buy crypto' widgets, the spread is often wider than on the pro trading screen of the same exchange — the same platform, a different price.
Deposit and withdrawal charges
- Card deposits commonly cost 1.5–3.5% and are the most expensive route
- Bank transfers are usually free but slower
- Crypto withdrawals may charge a fixed amount well above network cost
Work out your real cost
Add the taker fee, the spread, and a share of the withdrawal fee across the amount you plan to move. For small, infrequent purchases, a fixed withdrawal fee can outweigh every percentage on the page.
⚠ RISK WARNING Cryptocurrency is a volatile, high-risk asset. You may lose your entire investment. Nothing here is financial advice.