Post-Only Orders: Spot & Futures Platform Availability.
Post-Only Orders: Spot & Futures Platform Availability
Post-Only orders are a powerful tool for traders, particularly those employing high-frequency strategies or seeking to minimize slippage. They ensure your order *always* acts as a maker, adding liquidity to the order book rather than taking it. This article will break down what post-only orders are, how they function on both spot and futures markets, and how their implementation varies across popular crypto exchanges like Binance and Bybit. We’ll focus on features relevant to beginners while providing enough detail for those looking to refine their trading strategies.
What are Post-Only Orders?
Traditionally, when you place a market order, you are a *taker* – you immediately execute your trade against existing orders in the order book. This is convenient, but it often comes with costs: higher fees and potential slippage (the difference between the expected price and the actual execution price).
A *maker*, on the other hand, places an order that isn't immediately filled. This order sits on the order book, providing liquidity for others to trade against. Makers typically pay lower fees as a reward for contributing to the market’s liquidity.
A post-only order *forces* your order to be a maker order. If your order can’t be filled immediately because it’s outside the current best bid/ask spread, it remains on the order book. If it *can* be filled immediately, the exchange will cancel the order instead of executing it as a taker. This can be frustrating if you urgently need to enter or exit a position, but it’s invaluable for strategies where minimizing costs and controlling execution are paramount.
Spot vs. Futures: Availability and Use Cases
Post-only orders are available on both spot and futures markets, but their utility differs.
- Spot Markets: In the spot market, post-only orders are often used by algorithmic traders, arbitrageurs, and those looking to accumulate or distribute large positions without significantly impacting the price. They are less common for casual spot traders. The primary benefit is reduced trading fees.
- Futures Markets: Futures markets, particularly perpetual contracts, are where post-only orders truly shine. High-frequency trading, scalping (see The Basics of Scalping in Crypto Futures Markets) and market-making strategies heavily rely on post-only orders to minimize costs and maximize profitability. The funding rate mechanics in perpetual futures also make maker fees particularly advantageous. Understanding the differences between Perpetual and Quarterly contracts is key when employing post-only orders in futures (see Perpetual vs Quarterly Altcoin Futures Contracts: Pros and Cons).
Platform Comparison: Binance vs. Bybit
Let’s examine how Binance and Bybit implement post-only orders, focusing on features relevant to beginners.
Binance
- Order Types: Binance offers a variety of order types, including Limit, Market, Stop-Limit, and Post-Only Limit. The Post-Only Limit order is the key here.
- Fee Structure: Binance has a tiered fee structure based on your 30-day trading volume and BNB holdings. Maker fees are significantly lower than taker fees. Utilizing post-only orders consistently ensures you benefit from the lower maker fee tier.
- User Interface: Binance’s interface can be overwhelming for beginners. To place a post-only order:
1. Navigate to the trading interface (Spot or Futures). 2. Select “Limit” order type. 3. Crucially, check the “Post Only” box *before* placing the order. If you don’t check this box, your order may be executed as a taker order. 4. Enter your price and quantity. 5. Confirm the order.
- Advanced Features: Binance offers advanced order types like “Reduce Only” (used for futures, similar to post-only but specifically for reducing positions) and “Time in Force” options (Good Till Cancelled, Immediate Or Cancel, etc.). Beginners should focus on mastering the basic Post-Only Limit order before exploring these.
- API Support: Binance has a robust API, allowing automated trading strategies to utilize post-only orders efficiently.
Bybit
- Order Types: Bybit also provides a comprehensive suite of order types, including Limit, Market, Conditional, and Post-Only.
- Fee Structure: Similar to Binance, Bybit employs a tiered fee structure with lower maker fees. Their fee structure is generally competitive.
- User Interface: Bybit's interface is generally considered more user-friendly than Binance's, especially for beginners. To place a post-only order:
1. Go to the trading interface (Spot or Derivatives). 2. Select “Limit” order type. 3. Enable the “Post Only” toggle. This is a clear and easily accessible toggle. 4. Enter your price and quantity. 5. Confirm the order.
- Advanced Features: Bybit offers features like “Fill or Kill” and “Hidden Orders.” Their “Grid Trading” bot also supports post-only order configurations.
- API Support: Bybit also has a well-documented API for algorithmic trading.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Binance | Bybit |
|---|---|---|
| Order Type for Post-Only | Post-Only Limit | Post-Only Limit |
| Interface Complexity | Higher | Lower |
| Post-Only Toggle Visibility | Less Prominent (checkbox) | More Prominent (toggle) |
| Fee Structure | Tiered, competitive | Tiered, competitive |
| API Support | Excellent | Excellent |
| Beginner Friendliness | Moderate | High |
Key Considerations for Beginners
- Understanding the Order Book: Before using post-only orders, familiarize yourself with the order book. Understanding how bids and asks work is crucial.
- Price Setting: Post-only orders require you to set a specific price. If your price is too far from the current market price, your order may never be filled.
- Patience: Post-only orders aren’t designed for immediate execution. Be prepared to wait for your order to be filled.
- Cancellation: If your order isn't filled after a reasonable period, consider canceling it and adjusting the price.
- Slippage: While post-only orders aim to minimize slippage, it’s not eliminated entirely. Large orders may still experience some slippage.
- Funding Rates (Futures): In perpetual futures, be aware of funding rates. These can impact your profitability, and lower maker fees from post-only orders can help offset negative funding rates. Analyzing the BTC/USDT futures market (see Analyse du Trading de Futures BTC/USDT - 08 05 2025) can provide valuable insights.
- Testing: Start with small orders to get comfortable with the post-only order functionality on your chosen platform.
Advanced Strategies & When to Use Post-Only Orders
Beyond basic fee reduction, post-only orders are integral to several advanced trading strategies:
- Market Making: Actively placing buy and sell orders on both sides of the order book to profit from the spread.
- Arbitrage: Exploiting price differences between exchanges.
- High-Frequency Trading (HFT): Executing a large number of orders at high speed.
- Liquidity Provision: Contributing to market depth and reducing volatility.
- Order Flow Analysis: Gaining insights into market sentiment by observing order book activity.
Potential Drawbacks
- Non-Execution: The biggest drawback is the possibility of your order not being filled if it’s too far from the current market price.
- Opportunity Cost: Capital tied up in unfilled post-only orders isn't available for other trades.
- Complexity: While the concept is straightforward, effectively utilizing post-only orders requires a good understanding of market dynamics and order book mechanics.
Conclusion
Post-only orders are a valuable tool for traders of all levels, but especially for those engaging in more sophisticated strategies. By consistently acting as a maker, you can reduce trading fees, minimize slippage, and potentially improve your overall profitability. While Binance and Bybit both offer post-only order functionality, Bybit’s more user-friendly interface may be a better starting point for beginners. Remember to prioritize understanding the order book, setting appropriate prices, and being patient while your orders are filled. Continual learning and experimentation are key to mastering this powerful trading technique.
Recommended Futures Trading Platforms
| Platform | Futures Features | Register |
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| Binance Futures | Leverage up to 125x, USDⓈ-M contracts | Register now |
| Bitget Futures | USDT-margined contracts | Open account |
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