Post-Only Orders: Spot & Futures – Availability & Benefits.

Post-Only Orders: Spot & Futures – Availability & Benefits

Post-only orders are a powerful tool for traders, especially those focused on market making or minimizing slippage. This article will delve into what post-only orders are, their benefits, how they function in both spot and futures trading, and how they are implemented on popular exchanges like Binance and Bybit. It’s geared towards beginners, so we’ll break down the concepts in a clear and accessible manner.

What are Post-Only Orders?

Traditionally, when you place an order on an exchange, it can be executed as either a “maker” or a “taker.”

• **Taker Orders:** These orders are executed *immediately* against existing orders on the order book. Takers *take* liquidity. They pay a taker fee, which is generally higher than maker fees.
• **Maker Orders:** These orders are *added* to the order book and wait to be filled. Makers *make* liquidity. They pay a maker fee, which is usually lower.

A **post-only order** is a specific type of order instruction you give to the exchange. It *forces* your order to be a maker order. If your order can’t be filled as a maker order (meaning it would immediately execute against existing orders), the order will *not* be executed. It remains in the order book until it can be filled as a maker, or you cancel it.

Crucially, post-only orders are not available on all exchanges or for all order types. They are most commonly found on futures exchanges, but increasingly, spot exchanges are adding this functionality.

Benefits of Using Post-Only Orders

• **Reduced Fees:** The primary benefit is lower trading fees. Maker fees are typically significantly lower than taker fees. Over time, this can lead to substantial savings, especially for high-frequency traders or those employing strategies like grid trading.
• **Improved Order Fill Quality:** By ensuring your order is always a maker, you avoid the potential for slippage that can occur with taker orders. Slippage is the difference between the expected price of a trade and the price at which the trade is actually executed.
• **Market Making Opportunities:** Post-only orders are essential for market makers, who profit from the spread between the bid and ask prices. They provide liquidity to the market and are rewarded with lower fees. Understanding Arbitrage opportunities in futures can be enhanced with the consistent use of post-only orders.
• **Avoidance of Aggressive Order Execution:** Sometimes, you don't want your order to aggressively "hit the bid" or "ask," potentially moving the price against you. Post-only orders prevent this.

Post-Only Orders in Spot Trading

Post-only orders were traditionally less common in spot trading. However, exchanges are recognizing the benefits and adding support.

• **Binance:** Binance has introduced post-only orders for spot trading. You can enable the "Post Only" option when creating a limit order. If the limit order would execute as a taker order, it will be rejected.
• **Bybit:** Bybit also supports post-only orders in its spot market. The functionality is similar to Binance’s; it's an option you select when placing a limit order.
• **Other Exchanges:** Other exchanges like OKX and KuCoin are also beginning to offer post-only order functionality on their spot markets.

Post-Only Orders in Futures Trading

Futures trading is where post-only orders are most prevalent and valuable.

• **Binance Futures:** Binance Futures fully supports post-only orders. When placing a limit order, you can check the "Post Only" box. If the order would execute as a taker, it’s rejected. Binance Futures offers various order types compatible with post-only, including Limit, Stop-Limit, and others.
• **Bybit Futures:** Bybit Futures also provides robust support for post-only orders. The user interface is straightforward, allowing traders to easily specify "Post Only" when creating limit orders. Bybit’s interface allows for precise control over order placement, crucial for effective post-only strategies.
• **Bitget:** Bitget is another popular futures exchange offering post-only orders.
• **Important Note:** Liquidation prices are critical in futures trading. Always understand your risk exposure before entering a leveraged position. Refer to resources like The Essential Tools You Need to Begin Futures Trading for a comprehensive understanding of risk management.

Platform Comparison: Binance vs. Bybit

Here’s a comparison of how post-only orders are implemented on Binance and Bybit:

Feature	Binance	Bybit
**Spot Post-Only Support**	Yes	Yes
**Futures Post-Only Support**	Yes	Yes
**Order Types Supported (Post-Only)**	Limit, Stop-Limit, etc.	Limit, Stop-Limit, etc.
**UI Ease of Use**	Relatively straightforward, option clearly visible when placing limit orders.	Very intuitive; the "Post Only" checkbox is prominently displayed.
**Fee Structure (Maker/Taker)**	Tiered, based on 30-day trading volume. Maker fees as low as 0.000%	Tiered, based on 30-day trading volume. Maker fees as low as -0.025% (Bybit sometimes offers negative maker fees as incentives).
**Order Cancellation**	Standard order cancellation process.	Standard order cancellation process.
**Partial Fills**	Allowed; the unfilled portion remains as a post-only order.	Allowed; the unfilled portion remains as a post-only order.

User Interface and Order Placement

Both Binance and Bybit generally follow a similar pattern for placing post-only orders:

1. **Navigate to the Trading Interface:** Access the spot or futures trading interface for the desired trading pair. 2. **Select Limit Order:** Choose “Limit” as the order type. 3. **Enter Order Details:** Specify the price, quantity, and direction (Buy/Sell). 4. **Enable "Post Only":** Locate and check the “Post Only” box or toggle switch. This is usually found within the advanced order settings. 5. **Review and Confirm:** Carefully review the order details, ensuring the "Post Only" option is enabled, and then confirm the order.

Important Considerations for Beginners

• **Understanding Order Book Dynamics:** Before using post-only orders, it's crucial to understand how the order book works. Learn about bid and ask prices, order depth, and how orders are filled.
• **Price Discovery:** Post-only orders are less effective in rapidly changing markets. If the price moves significantly away from your limit price, your order may not be filled.
• **Order Lifespan:** Be aware of the order lifespan. If your order isn't filled within the specified timeframe, it will be automatically canceled.
• **Cancellation:** Don't forget you can cancel post-only orders if your trading strategy changes.
• **Fee Schedules:** Always check the exchange's fee schedule to understand the maker and taker fee rates.
• **Margin Requirements (Futures):** In futures trading, understand the margin requirements and liquidation risks associated with leveraged positions. Always use appropriate risk management tools.
• **Market Analysis:** Before placing any trade, conduct thorough BTC/USDT Futures-Handelsanalyse - 06.07.2025 or similar market analysis to understand potential price movements. This is especially important when using limit orders, including post-only orders.

Advanced Strategies & Further Learning

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

• **Iceberg Orders:** Combine post-only orders with iceberg orders (hidden volume) to minimize market impact.
• **Market Making Bots:** Automate your market making strategy using trading bots that utilize post-only orders.
• **Statistical Arbitrage:** Use post-only orders to execute arbitrage trades with minimal slippage.

Conclusion

Post-only orders are a valuable tool for traders of all levels, offering reduced fees, improved order fill quality, and opportunities for market making. While they require a basic understanding of order book dynamics, the benefits can be significant, especially for those who trade frequently or employ sophisticated strategies. By utilizing the features offered by exchanges like Binance and Bybit, traders can optimize their trading performance and reduce their overall costs. Remember to always prioritize risk management and continuous learning to succeed in the dynamic world of cryptocurrency trading.

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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