In a bold move that's shaking up the crypto exchange landscape, Bitget has announced zero-fee trading for BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT spot pairs starting March 20, 2025. This two-month promotion marks the first time a major exchange has introduced zero trading fees during the early stages of a bull market — a period when platforms typically maximize revenue rather than cut costs.
While other exchanges have used fee waivers to attract users during bear markets or periods of low activity, Bitget’s decision to eliminate fees at the onset of a bull run sets a new precedent. It signals not just confidence in market momentum but also a strategic push to capture market share at a critical growth inflection point.
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Understanding Trading Fees: What Are Maker and Taker Fees?
Most traders are familiar with the concept of trading fees, but few fully grasp how they impact execution quality, liquidity, and long-term profitability. On most exchanges, fees are split into two categories:
- Maker fees: Charged to users who place limit orders that add liquidity to the order book.
- Taker fees: Applied to those who execute market orders that remove liquidity by matching existing orders.
Typically, both parties pay a fee — even though makers actually improve market depth and price stability. By removing both maker and taker fees for BTC and ETH spot trading, Bitget is effectively subsidizing the most liquid and widely traded assets in the crypto ecosystem.
This isn’t just about saving a few basis points. Eliminating fees encourages more frequent trading, tighter bid-ask spreads, and deeper order books — all of which enhance trading efficiency.
How Zero Fees Improve Market Depth and Reduce Slippage
One of the most significant benefits of zero-fee trading is its positive impact on market depth. A deeper order book means larger trades can be executed with minimal price impact. For example, when buying $100,000 worth of BTC, an exchange with shallow liquidity might push the price up sharply as it fills the order across multiple price levels.
Consider this scenario:
You place a market buy order for 100 units of a token priced at $100. However, only 50 units are available at $100, and the next available sell orders start at $110. Your average fill price becomes $105 — a $5 per unit slippage. In volatile or illiquid markets, slippage can erode profits quickly.
With zero fees attracting more liquidity providers (makers), Bitget’s BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT pairs are likely to see increased buy and sell orders clustered around the mid-price. This reduces slippage and improves execution accuracy — especially valuable during high-volatility events like ETF news or Fed announcements.
Why Is Bitget Doing This Now? Strategic Moves Behind the Zero-Fee Model
At first glance, waiving fees on the two largest cryptocurrencies — which account for over 80% of total spot trading volume — seems like a massive revenue sacrifice. But for Bitget, it’s less about short-term profit and more about long-term positioning in an increasingly competitive exchange market.
1. Bullish Momentum Built During Bear Markets
While many exchanges struggled during the 2022–2024 bear market, Bitget achieved consistent growth — both in user base and trading volume. Notably:
- Signed global football icon Lionel Messi as brand ambassador, amplifying visibility after Argentina’s 2023 World Cup win.
- Saw its native token BGB reach seven all-time highs (ATHs) within a year, rising from under $0.20 to over $1.15 by early 2025.
- Maintained positive platform performance while most competitors saw declining platform token valuations.
This resilience demonstrates strong operational execution and community trust — key foundations for aggressive moves like zero-fee trading.
2. Staying Ahead of Market Trends: The Case of Inscriptions
Bitget’s agility was evident in late 2024 when the inscriptions (Bitcoin NFTs and BRC-20 tokens) boom exploded. While giants like Binance and OKX were slow to respond, Bitget listed key inscription tokens almost immediately.
This speed attracted traders chasing early momentum, many of whom began using BGB to participate in launchpads and yield pools tied to new projects. The result? A self-reinforcing cycle: more listings → more traders → higher BGB utility → increased demand.
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3. Security, Research, and Sustainable Growth
Aggressiveness alone doesn’t guarantee success in crypto. Some exchanges rush to list trending tokens without due diligence — risking scams and reputational damage.
Bitget differentiates itself with a research-driven listing process:
- Uses automated on-chain monitoring systems to detect asset anomalies in real time.
- Applies quantitative criteria to evaluate projects, minimizing bias.
- Proactively identifies high-potential assets before they go mainstream.
This balance of speed and rigor builds trust among experienced traders while still appealing to newcomers drawn by trends.
Core Keywords Driving This Strategy
The success of Bitget’s zero-fee initiative hinges on several strategic themes reflected in these core keywords:
- Zero trading fees
- BTC/ETH spot trading
- Market depth
- Slippage reduction
- Exchange competition
- Platform token (BGB)
- Bull market strategy
- Liquidity optimization
These terms aren’t just buzzwords — they represent real user pain points and opportunities that Bitget is directly addressing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is zero-fee trading really free? Are there hidden costs?
A: Yes, during the promotional period (March 20 – May 20, 2025), there are no maker or taker fees on BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT spot trades. No hidden charges have been disclosed. Always review official announcements for full terms.
Q: Why only BTC and ETH? Will other pairs go fee-free?
A: BTC and ETH dominate spot trading volume. By focusing on these two, Bitget maximizes impact while managing cost. Expansion to other pairs may follow based on user response.
Q: How does zero-fee trading benefit me beyond saving money?
A: Beyond direct savings, reduced fees encourage more market makers to place orders, improving liquidity. This leads to tighter spreads, lower slippage, and better execution — especially for large trades.
Q: Could this trigger a fee war among exchanges?
A: It’s possible. If Bitget gains significant market share during the campaign, competitors like OKX or Bybit might respond with similar offers — ultimately benefiting traders across the board.
Q: What role does BGB play in this strategy?
A: As Bitget’s utility token, BGB is central to its ecosystem. Increased platform usage during the zero-fee period drives demand for BGB through staking, launchpad access, and fee discounts on non-zero-fee products.
Q: Is this sustainable long-term?
A: Likely not as a permanent model — but as a time-limited strategic move during a bull market onset, it’s highly effective for user acquisition and brand positioning.
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The Big Picture: A Calculated Play for Market Leadership
Bitget’s zero-fee BTC/ETH strategy isn’t just generosity — it’s a calculated effort to challenge the current exchange hierarchy. With Binance still dominant but facing regulatory scrutiny globally, the window for challengers has never been wider.
By acting decisively at the start of a bull run — when trader activity surges and new users enter the space — Bitget is positioning itself as the go-to platform for cost-efficient, high-performance trading. And with BGB showing strong price support around $0.90 and growing holder numbers, the ecosystem momentum appears self-sustaining.
For traders, this means better execution, lower costs, and more choice. For the industry, it could signal the beginning of a new phase where innovation and user-first policies drive competition — not just listing wars or influencer marketing.
As the 2025 bull market unfolds, one thing is clear: exchanges that adapt quickly and prioritize trader value will rise. Bitget just raised the bar.