A review of the top 5 crypto exchanges with low fees for 2026, focusing on OKX, Bybit, Bitget, Gate, and HTX.
Choosing a crypto exchange often hinges on transaction fees, which can significantly impact a trader's bottom line. For instance, a trader moving $1 million monthly might incur fees ranging from $800 on one exchange to $2000 on another, highlighting the importance of fee structures.
This article evaluates the spot and futures fees of five prominent crypto exchanges favored by users in the CIS and Eastern Europe: OKX, Bybit, Bitget, Gate, and HTX. The data was compiled from each platform's official site at the end of March 2026.
Overview of Basic Fees for New Users
ExchangeSpot Maker/TakerFutures (USDT-M) Maker/TakerOKX0.08%/0.10%0.02%/0.05%Bybit0.10%/0.10%0.02%/0.055%Bitget0.10%/0.10%0.02%/0.06%Gate0.10%/0.10%0.02%/0.05%HTX0.20%/0.20%0.02%/0.06%
Spot fees apply to crypto pairs, while futures fees pertain to perpetual USDT-margin contracts.
OKX
OKX stands out with the most competitive base fees among the reviewed exchanges, requiring no promotions or native token holdings.
Spot Fees. The maker fee is set at 0.08%, the lowest in this comparison. A trader with a $500,000 monthly turnover would pay $400 on OKX versus $500 on Bybit and $1000 on HTX.
Futures Fees. With a taker fee of 0.05%, OKX is competitive with Gate and lower than Bybit and Bitget, leading to potential savings of up to $1000 on a $10 million futures turnover.
VIP Program. OKX's VIP program is adaptive, assigning levels based on combined trading volumes across spot and derivatives. Higher VIP levels can lead to waived maker fees or even negative fees where the exchange pays traders for limit orders.
OKX also offers various campaigns for users to achieve trial VIP levels with lower requirements.
Additional Benefits. Unlike other exchanges, OKX does not require users to hold tokens for fee discounts, providing immediate access to low rates upon registration.
In March 2026, OKX received a $25 billion valuation following an investment from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), enhancing its market position.
- OKX was the first crypto exchange to obtain a full MiCA license in the EU.
- It has published Proof-of-Reserves for 40 months, with reserves totaling $31.2 billion.
- OKX has introduced perpetual contracts on stocks and is integrating AI trading capabilities.
For whom: Ideal for traders seeking low fees and regulatory transparency.
Bybit
Ranking third in derivatives volume, Bybit remains a preferred choice in Russia and the CIS.
Spot Fees. Bybit charges a standard fee of 0.10% for both makers and takers, which is higher than OKX's rates.
Futures Fees. The maker fee is 0.02%, aligning with OKX, while the taker fee is slightly higher.
VIP Program. Bybit offers a tiered VIP structure based on trading volume and asset balance, with potential reductions in fees at the highest levels.
Discounts via MNT. Users can further lower fees by utilizing the Mantle (MNT) token.
For whom: Suitable for traders with high turnover in derivatives markets.
Bitget
Bitget aims to be a universal exchange, facilitating trading across various asset types.
Spot Fees. The base fee is 0.10%, but can be reduced to 0.08% with BGB token usage.
Futures Fees. The maker fee is 0.02%, but the taker fee is relatively high at 0.06%.
VIP Program. Bitget has an extensive VIP system based on trading activity and BGB holdings.
For whom: Best for users interested in copy trading and those holding BGB tokens.
Gate
Gate has a long-standing presence in the market with a vast selection of crypto assets.
Spot Fees. The base fee is 0.10%, with a minor reduction available through GT token usage.
Futures Fees. Gate's futures fees are competitive with OKX.
VIP Program. The exchange features an extensive 16-level VIP program based on various trading activities.
For whom: Ideal for traders needing a diverse asset selection.
HTX
HTX offers a variety of crypto assets but has the highest spot fees among the reviewed exchanges.
Spot Fees. The base fee is 0.20%, which can be reduced with token usage.
Futures Fees. The maker fee is competitive, but the taker fee is on the higher side.
For whom: Targeted at CIS traders who utilize P2P services.
Conclusion
- OKX offers the lowest base rates without the need for native tokens.
- Bybit is strong in derivatives volume and competitive in futures fees.
- Bitget provides discounts for BGB holders and is expanding into TradFi.
- Gate is known for its extensive asset listings.
- HTX caters to P2P traders with flexible transaction options.
While fees are critical, liquidity and security are equally important factors for traders when choosing an exchange.