7 Best Crypto Futures/Perpetual Exchanges 2025: USDT Perpetual & Low Fees
The Short Answer
The best crypto futures/perpetual exchange for high-volume traders is Binance, offering unmatched liquidity ($50B+ daily volume) on USDT perpetual contracts and the deepest order books for virtually zero slippage.
For scalpers and cost-sensitive traders, MEXC dominates with 0% Maker and 0.01% Taker futures/perpetual fees—saving you thousands on every $1M traded.
🏆 Top 3 Futures/Perpetual Picks
Binance
9.9/10Unmatched liquidity ($50B+ daily volume) and deepest order books for zero slippage.
Code: BIFANY
MEXC
8.5/100% Maker fees on perpetual futures—perfect for high-frequency trading and scalping strategies.
Code: mexc-discount2
Bitget
9.3/10#1 platform for copying profitable perpetual futures traders with one-click integration.
Code: bifan888
🔍 How We Ranked Futures/Perpetual Exchanges
Futures/Perpetual trading requires different criteria than spot trading. We focused on system stability, fee structure for USDT perpetual contracts, and risk management tools.
1. Liquidity & Slippage
We executed $50k market orders to measure slippage. Deep order books are critical for perpetual futures trading.
2. Fee Structure
Fees multiply with leverage. We looked for low maker/taker rates and fair funding rates.
3. Leverage Caps
We verified max leverage claims (up to 125x) and margin requirements for major pairs.
4. System Stability
Platforms must stay online during volatility. We penalized exchanges with history of "overload" errors.
📊 Full Rankings: Best Futures/Perpetual Platforms
#1.Binance— Best for Global Traders & Liquidity
Pros
- World #1 USDT Perpetual Volume ($50B+ Daily)
- Deepest Liquidity (Zero Slippage)
- Cross & Isolated Margin Modes
- Huge selection of perpetual contracts
Cons
- Strict KYC Mandatory
- Not available in US/Canada
- Auto-deleveraging (ADL) risk in extreme volatility
💰 Fee Breakdown
| Type | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | With Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.10% | 0.10% | 20% Fee Discount (Spot + Futures) |
| Futures Trading | 0.02% | 0.05% | Discount Applies |
#2.MEXC— Best for Zero-Fee Trading & Scalpers
Pros
- Lowest Fees: 0% Maker / 0.01% Taker on Perpetuals
- Up to 200x Leverage on BTC USDT Perpetual
- No KYC Required for Perpetual Futures
- Rapid new listing of perpetual contracts
Cons
- Order book thinner than Binance
- Funding rates can be volatile
- Interface can be cluttered
💰 Fee Breakdown
| Type | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | With Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.00% | 0.00% | 20% Fee Discount (Spot + Futures) |
| Futures Trading | 0.00% | 0.01% | Discount Applies |
#3.OKX— Best for Advanced Traders & Institutions
Pros
- Best-in-Class Trading Engine
- Unified Account (Share margin across spot/perpetual futures)
- Trailing Stop & Advanced Orders
- High limits for VIPs on USDT perpetual
Cons
- Complex fee structure
- US Restricted
- Steep learning curve for beginners
💰 Fee Breakdown
| Type | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | With Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.08% | 0.10% | 20% Fee Discount (Spot + Futures) |
| Futures Trading | 0.02% | 0.05% | Discount Applies |
#4.Bitget— Best for Copy Trading
Pros
- #1 For Copy Trading Perpetual Futures
- One-Click Copy Integration
- USDT & USDC Margined Perpetual Contracts
- $300M Protection Fund
Cons
- Taker fees slightly higher (0.06%)
- Withdrawal limits for non-KYC
- Fewer advanced order types than OKX
💰 Fee Breakdown
| Type | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | With Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.10% | 0.10% | 30% Fee Discount (Spot + Futures) |
| Futures Trading | 0.02% | 0.06% | Discount Applies |
#5.Gate.io— Best for Altcoin Diversity
Pros
- Widest range of Altcoin Perpetual Futures
- Trade new tokens with leverage on perpetuals
- 100x Leverage on major USDT perpetual pairs
- Testnet available
Cons
- Higher fees (0.05% Taker)
- Slower execution engine
- Interface is not beginner friendly
💰 Fee Breakdown
| Type | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | With Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.15% | 0.15% | 20% Fee Discount (Spot + Futures) |
| Futures Trading | 0.015% | 0.05% | Discount Applies |
#6.HTX— Best for Asian Markets
Pros
- Good liquidity for Asian hours
- Reliable matching engine
- Collocation services available
- Cross margin supported
Cons
- Rebranded (confusing history)
- Higher standard fees
- US Restricted
💰 Fee Breakdown
| Type | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | With Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.20% | 0.20% | 30% Fee Discount (Spot + Futures) |
| Futures Trading | 0.02% | 0.05% | Discount Applies |
#7.WEEX— Best for US Traders (No KYC)
Pros
- US Customers Accepted (Perpetual Futures)
- No KYC Required
- Simple interface for perpetual trading
- Low entry barrier
Cons
- Limited liquidity
- Fewer trading pairs
- Newer platform (less trust history)
💰 Fee Breakdown
| Type | Maker Fee | Taker Fee | With Promo Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot Trading | 0.10% | 0.10% | 35% Fee Discount (Spot + Futures) |
| Futures Trading | 0.02% | 0.06% | Discount Applies |
❓ Futures/Perpetual Trading FAQ
Which crypto exchange has the lowest futures/perpetual fees?
MEXC has the lowest futures/perpetual fees in 2025, charging 0% Maker and 0.01% Taker fees on USDT perpetual contracts. With our referral code mexc-discount2, you get an additional 20% discount on the taker fee (reducing it to 0.008%). Binance and OKX charge standard 0.02% Maker / 0.05% Taker fees on their perpetual contracts, though VIP traders can reduce these rates.
What is Funding Rate and why does it matter?
Funding rate is a periodic payment (usually every 8 hours) between long and short traders to keep perpetual futures prices anchored to spot prices. If the rate is positive (e.g., +0.01%), longs pay shorts. If negative, shorts pay longs. During bull markets, funding rates can reach 0.05-0.10%, costing you significant fees if holding large leveraged positions. Always check funding rates before opening multi-day positions.
Is high leverage (100x) safe?
No, 100x leverage is extremely risky. A 1% price move against you will result in liquidation (loss of entire position). Professional traders rarely use more than 5x-10x leverage.
Can I trade futures/perpetual in the USA?
Major offshore exchanges like Binance, OKX, and Bybit do not allow US customers on their futures/perpetual platforms. US traders typically use regulated platforms like CME (for institutions) or DEXs (Decentralized Exchanges) like dYdX for perpetual contracts, though regulatory landscapes are shifting.
Understanding Futures/Perpetual Fees
Fee Multiplier Effect
Remember that fees are calculated on your position size, not your margin.
$1,000 Margin x 10x Leverage = $10,000 Position
Fee (0.05%) is charged on $10,000
= $5 Fee (which is 0.5% of your margin!)
How to Save Money
- Always Post Limit Orders: Pay Maker fees (often 0.02% or 0%) instead of Taker fees.
- Watch Funding Rates: Don't hold large positions against the trend when funding is high.
- Use Discounts: Our referral codes provide lifetime fee rebates on every trade.