Post-Only Orders: Futures Platforms & Fee Reduction.

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Introduction

Trading cryptocurrency futures can be highly profitable, but also carries significant risk. Understanding the nuances of order types and fee structures is crucial for success, especially for beginners. One powerful, yet often overlooked, feature offered by most major futures platforms is the “post-only” order. This article will delve into what post-only orders are, how they can drastically reduce your trading fees, and how they function on popular platforms like Binance and Bybit. We’ll focus on providing a clear explanation for newcomers to the world of crypto futures trading, and point to resources for further learning.

What are Post-Only Orders?

In traditional order books, orders can be either *maker* or *taker* orders. A **taker** order immediately executes against existing orders on the order book. You are *taking* liquidity from the market. A **maker** order is added to the order book and waits to be filled. You are *making* liquidity for the market.

Typically, takers pay a higher fee than makers. This incentivizes traders to provide liquidity (maker orders) rather than simply taking it (taker orders).

A **post-only order** is a type of limit order that *guarantees* it will be executed as a maker order. The platform will not allow the order to be executed if it would be filled as a taker order. If your post-only order would immediately match with an existing order (acting as a taker), it will simply not be filled. It remains on the order book until a counter-order arrives.

Why Use Post-Only Orders? Fee Reduction Explained

The primary benefit of post-only orders is significant fee reduction. Futures platforms incentivize maker orders by charging lower fees for them. For example, on many platforms, a taker fee might be 0.075%, while a maker fee might be -0.025% (meaning you *receive* a rebate).

Here's a simplified example:

You trade 1 Bitcoin contract (worth $60,000)
**Taker Fee (0.075%):** $45
**Maker Fee (-0.025%):** -$15 (you receive a $15 rebate)

Over time, these fee savings can add up significantly, especially for high-frequency traders or those employing strategies like Breakout Strategies for Futures Trading. Reducing fees directly increases your profitability.

Platforms Comparison: Binance vs. Bybit

Let’s examine how post-only orders are implemented on two of the most popular crypto futures platforms: Binance and Bybit.

Binance

**Order Types:** Binance offers a variety of order types including Limit, Market, Stop-Limit, and Post-Only.
**Post-Only Implementation:** Binance’s post-only functionality is found within the Limit order type. When placing a Limit order, there is a checkbox labeled “Post Only”. Selecting this box ensures your order will only be executed as a maker.
**Fee Structure:** Binance has a tiered fee structure based on your 30-day trading volume and BNB holdings. Maker fees can be as low as -0.025%, while taker fees range from 0.075% to 0.1%.
**User Interface:** Binance’s interface can be complex for beginners. The post-only checkbox is relatively small and easily missed. It’s located within the advanced order settings.
**Additional Notes:** Binance’s margin trading and futures platform have separate fee structures. Ensure you’re checking the correct fee schedule.

Bybit

**Order Types:** Bybit offers similar order types to Binance: Limit, Market, Conditional Orders (Stop-Loss, Take-Profit), and Post-Only.
**Post-Only Implementation:** Bybit also implements post-only orders within the Limit order type. Similar to Binance, there's a dedicated checkbox to activate the post-only functionality.
**Fee Structure:** Bybit also employs a tiered fee structure based on trading volume. Maker fees can be as low as -0.025%, while taker fees range from 0.075% to 0.1%. Bybit often runs promotions offering even lower maker fees.
**User Interface:** Bybit’s interface is generally considered more user-friendly than Binance, especially for beginners. The post-only checkbox is prominently displayed.
**Additional Notes:** Bybit offers a Testnet environment, allowing you to practice trading with virtual funds before risking real capital. This is highly recommended for beginners.

Table: Comparing Post-Only Features on Binance and Bybit

Feature	Binance	Bybit
Order Type with Post-Only	Limit	Limit
Post-Only Checkbox Location	Advanced Order Settings	Prominently Displayed
Lowest Maker Fee	-0.025%	-0.025%
Highest Taker Fee	0.1%	0.1%
User Interface Complexity	High	Moderate
Testnet Environment	Yes	Yes
Fee Tiering	Based on 30-day Volume & BNB Holdings	Based on 30-day Volume

Considerations for Beginners

While post-only orders offer significant benefits, beginners need to be aware of potential drawbacks and prioritize certain aspects:

**Order Fill Rate:** Because post-only orders will *not* execute as takers, there's a chance your order may not be filled if the market moves too quickly away from your limit price. This is the biggest trade-off.
**Price Impact:** Limit orders, including post-only orders, can have a price impact, especially for large orders. Your order may move the price slightly as it's filled.
**Patience is Key:** Post-only orders require patience. You need to be comfortable with the possibility that your order may take time to fill, or may not fill at all.
**Understanding Order Books:** A basic understanding of how order books work is essential to effectively use post-only orders. You need to be able to identify potential support and resistance levels.
**Start Small:** Begin with small order sizes to get comfortable with the post-only functionality before risking significant capital.
**Risk Management:** Always prioritize risk management. Utilize stop-loss orders to limit potential losses. Resources like Essential Tools for Managing Risk in Margin Trading with Crypto Futures can be invaluable.
**Price Action Analysis:** Learning to read price action is crucial for setting effective limit prices. Familiarize yourself with candlestick patterns and other technical indicators. How to Trade Futures Using Price Action provides a good starting point.

Advanced Strategies with Post-Only Orders

Once you're comfortable with the basics, you can explore more advanced strategies:

**Layering Orders:** Placing multiple post-only orders at different price levels can increase your chances of getting filled and potentially improve your average entry price.
**Combining with Conditional Orders:** Use post-only orders in conjunction with stop-loss and take-profit orders to create automated trading strategies.
**Arbitrage Opportunities:** Post-only orders can be used to exploit small price discrepancies between different exchanges.
**High-Frequency Trading (HFT):** The fee savings from post-only orders are particularly valuable for HFT strategies, where even small differences in fees can significantly impact profitability.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

**Order Not Filling:** The most common issue is an order not filling. This usually happens because the market price moved away from your limit price. Consider adjusting your limit price or using a wider spread.
**Order Executed as Taker:** If your order is executed as a taker despite having the post-only box checked, double-check your order settings and ensure you haven’t accidentally created a market order. Also, some platforms may have specific conditions where post-only orders can be bypassed.
**Slippage:** Slippage occurs when the actual execution price of your order differs from the expected price. This can happen due to market volatility or low liquidity. Using limit orders with a reasonable spread can help minimize slippage.

Conclusion

Post-only orders are a powerful tool for traders on crypto futures platforms. By understanding how they work and utilizing them effectively, beginners can significantly reduce their trading fees and improve their overall profitability. While there are trade-offs to consider, the benefits often outweigh the drawbacks, especially for traders who prioritize long-term profitability and are willing to be patient. Remember to always prioritize risk management and continuous learning. Explore the resources linked throughout this article to deepen your understanding of futures trading and refine your strategies.

Recommended Futures Trading Platforms

Platform	Futures Features	Register
Binance Futures	Leverage up to 125x, USDⓈ-M contracts	Register now
Bitget Futures	USDT-margined contracts	Open account

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