← All articles

Guides

Spot vs futures fees: notional, round trips and funding

Compare spot and futures on the same executed notional. For linear USDT contracts, trading fees use position notional, not posted margin; perpetual funding is a separate cost.

Trade Cashback ResearchUpdated: 3 min read

Compare spot and futures on the same executed notional. For linear USDT contracts, trading fees use position notional, not posted margin; perpetual funding is a separate cost.

What changes the answer

A spot fee can be charged in the acquired asset. Linear USDT futures fees are calculated from filled notional. Inverse contracts and options have their own formulas, so do not apply a linear-contract example to every derivatives product. Use a consistent USDT valuation for comparisons.

For illustration, 10,000 USDT at a hypothetical 0.10% spot rate costs 10 USDT for one fill. The same notional at a hypothetical 0.06% linear-futures rate costs 6 USDT. A 1,000 USDT margin does not turn the 10,000 USDT notional into a 1,000 USDT fee base. Neither rate is a current exchange quote.

Opening and closing are separate fills. If both sides each execute for 10,000 USDT at 0.06%, total trading fees are 12 USDT; if your monthly executed volume already includes both, do not double it again. Add any applicable funding separately. Funding can be paid or received and is not fee cashback.

Calculate the cost on the same basis

Compare the same product, pair, country, VIP tier and execution assumptions. Trading volume counts executed buys and sells; do not double it again if both sides are already included. Fee cashback covers approved eligible trading fees, not funding, spread, slippage, liquidation, borrowing or withdrawal costs. An estimate is not a payment or a guarantee of eligibility.

Calculate your cashback

Compare the same product, pair, country, VIP tier and execution assumptions. Trading volume counts executed buys and sells; do not double it again if both sides are already included. Fee cashback covers approved eligible trading fees, not funding, spread, slippage, liquidation, borrowing or withdrawal costs. An estimate is not a payment or a guarantee of eligibility.

Frequently asked

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Contact us

No. Funding, spread, slippage, borrowing or liquidation costs may still apply. A zero eligible trading fee creates zero fee-based cashback.

Stop funding everyone else. Start earning cashback.

Choose your exchange, tell us whether you have an account, and follow the relevant account, verification and UID steps.

Start earning cashback

No investment advice. Trade Cashback pays back a share of the trading fees you generate on partner exchanges. Nothing on this site is investment, tax or legal advice, nor an invitation to buy or sell any financial instrument. Leveraged crypto derivatives carry high risk: most retail traders lose money and you can lose your entire deposit. Only trade with money you can afford to lose.