Maker vs Taker Fees Explained: How They Affect Your Cashback
When traders look at cashback, the first number they usually focus on is the cashback rate. That makes sense because it is the most visible figure.
But if you want a more accurate view of what you may actually get back, you need to look at more than just the cashback percentage. Maker fees and taker fees are just as important because they directly affect your trading costs, and cashback is tied to those costs.
That is why understanding these two fee types matters when comparing exchanges on TetherBack.
What Maker Fees Mean
A maker fee applies when your order adds liquidity to the order book.
This usually happens when your order does not fill instantly and instead stays on the book waiting to be matched. Since the order adds liquidity, it is treated as a maker order.
When we compare the exchanges listed on TetherBack, the lowest maker fee is WEEX at 0.007%. The highest maker fee is 0.010%, which is listed by Bitget, BingX, and Blofin. Bitunix sits between them at 0.008%.
The difference looks small, but it still matters. If you trade regularly, even a slight fee gap can add up over time. Lower maker fees mean lower trading costs before cashback is even considered.
What Taker Fees Mean
A taker fee applies when your order removes liquidity from the order book.
This usually happens when your order fills immediately against an existing order. Since that order is taking liquidity from the market, the exchange charges a taker fee.
When we compare the exchanges on TetherBack, the lowest listed taker fee is Bitunix at 0.024%. The highest listed taker fee is 0.030%, which is shown on Bitget and Blofin. BingX is listed at 0.025%, while WEEX is listed at 0.028%.
Just like with maker fees, that difference may look minor at first, but it becomes more noticeable as trading volume grows.
Why Maker and Taker Fees Matter for Cashback
Cashback is based on trading fees, so fee structure has a direct impact on how the reward feels in practice.
If one exchange has lower fees, your total cost is lower from the beginning. If another has higher fees, your total fee base is higher. That matters because cashback is tied to the fees generated by your trading activity.
This is why comparing only the cashback percentage is not enough. A stronger cashback rate can look attractive, but the actual fee structure behind it also shapes the real outcome.
Why Cashback Rate Alone Does Not Tell the Full Story
A lot of traders make the mistake of looking only at the cashback percentage.
The better approach is to compare all three numbers together: cashback rate, maker fee, and taker fee.
For example, WEEX is listed with the highest cashback rate at 65.00%, and it also has the lowest maker fee at 0.007%, but its taker fee is 0.028%. Bitunix is listed with 60.00% cashback, a maker fee of 0.008%, and the lowest taker fee at 0.024%. Meanwhile, Bitget and Blofin are each listed at 50.00% cashback, with the highest maker fee of 0.010% and the highest taker fee of 0.030%.
That is exactly why looking at the full set of numbers gives a clearer and more useful comparison.
Which Fee Matters More Depends on Your Trading Style
There is no single answer because it depends on how you trade.
If you place more orders that sit on the book and wait to be matched, maker fees are likely to matter more. If your strategy depends on faster fills and more immediate execution, taker fees may have a bigger effect on your total cost.
That is why it helps to understand your own trading style first. Once you know which fee type affects you most often, it becomes easier to compare exchanges more accurately.
Small Fee Differences Can Add Up Over Time
One of the easiest mistakes to make is assuming a small fee difference is too minor to matter.
That may feel true on one trade, but repeated trading changes the picture. A small gap in maker or taker fees becomes more meaningful over dozens or hundreds of trades.
This is where cashback becomes easier to appreciate. Cashback helps reduce effective costs, but understanding fee structure helps you judge how valuable that reduction may actually be over time.
Use the Calculator for a Better Estimate
The TetherBack calculator helps make this clearer.
Instead of guessing based only on the cashback rate, the calculator gives you a better way to think about how fees and trading volume may affect your potential rewards. It helps turn rough assumptions into something more practical.
That makes it easier to compare exchanges in a way that feels more realistic.
Conclusion
Maker and taker fees are not just technical details. They are part of the real cost of every trade, and because cashback is linked to trading fees, they also play a real role in how much value you may get back.
The smartest way to compare exchanges is to look at the full picture. Cashback rate matters, but maker and taker fees matter too. When you compare all three together, you get a clearer view of what the reward may actually look like over time.
FAQ
What is the difference between maker and taker fees?
Maker fees apply when your order adds liquidity to the order book. Taker fees apply when your order removes liquidity by filling immediately.
Which exchange has the lowest maker fee on TetherBack?
WEEX is listed with the lowest maker fee at 0.007%.
Which exchange has the lowest taker fee on TetherBack?
Bitunix is listed with the lowest taker fee at 0.024%.
Why do maker and taker fees affect cashback?
Cashback is based on trading fees, so the fee structure directly affects the cost base behind the reward.
About TetherBack
TetherBack is a crypto cashback and rewards platform built for active traders who want to reduce effective trading costs. By partnering with supported exchanges, TetherBack shares a portion of trading fee revenue back to users in the form of cashback.
The platform does not hold user funds and does not operate as an exchange. Traders continue to execute trades directly on their chosen exchange while earning rewards through the partnership structure.
TetherBack focuses on cost efficiency, transparency, and providing traders with a structured way to maximize value from their existing trading activity.