dYdX review
Updated September 28, 2026 · HodlCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
dYdX is a decentralised exchange for traders who want to keep control of their own collateral while trading derivatives. Its taker fees of 0.025% to 0.05% sit below the derivatives exchange median of 0.1%, and maker fees of -0.011% to 0.01% can pay you for posted orders.
Key facts
- Best for
- Derivatives trading with self-custody and rebates on posted orders.
- Taker fee
- 0.025% to 0.05%↗
- Coins listed
- 99↗
- Maker fee
- -0.011% to 0.01%↗
- Derivatives
- Yes↗
- Exchange type
- Dex↗
- Legal entity
- dYdX Operations Services Ltd.↗
- Features
- Self-custody, Staking
- Official website
- dydx.exchange
Facts checked September 26, 2026, 4 sources
Pros and cons
Pros
- Its listed features cover self custody and staking, so your keys stay with you rather than with the exchange.
- Taker fees of 0.025% to 0.05% sit below the derivatives exchange median of 0.1%.
- Maker fees of -0.011% to 0.01% can pay you for orders that wait to be filled.
Cons
- Taker fees of 0.025% to 0.05% are higher than the 0% charged at ActivTrades.
- Maker fees of -0.011% to 0.01% can also be a cost, so posting an order is not always the cheaper side.
- The catalogue of 99 coins is narrow next to Bitpanda at from 650.
Who it suits
- Traders who want to hold their own collateral instead of leaving it with an exchange.
- Market makers who rest orders, since maker fees of -0.011% to 0.01% can turn into a payment.
- People who only need a single derivatives market rather than a long spot catalogue.
Who should look elsewhere
- ActivTrades, where the taker fee is 0% rather than 0.025% to 0.05% at dYdX.
- Bitpanda if you want a wide spot catalogue, since it lists from 650 coins.
- bunq if you prefer a fee schedule running 0.25% to 1.99% alongside a bank account.
Trading and withdrawal fees
Fees are charged per order, and the side you sit on decides what you pay. Taker fees are 0.025% to 0.05% for orders that take liquidity at once, while maker fees are -0.011% to 0.01% and can pay you instead of charging you when a posted order waits to be filled. Trading actively and taking liquidity costs more; letting orders rest can cost less.
How dYdX compares
9.6 vs 9.5- 9.6 vs 9.3
9.6 vs 9.2
9.6 vs 9.7A taker fee of 0% makes it the cheaper pick for anyone who wants a conventional venue rather than a decentralised one.
9.6 vs 9.4
9.6 vs 9.6
9.6 vs 9.0
9.6 vs 9.0
9.6 vs 9.0
9.6 vs 9.0
9.6 vs 8.9
9.6 vs 9.0
9.6 vs 8.2
9.6 vs 8.2
9.6 vs 9.7
9.6 vs 9.4
9.6 vs 9.3
9.6 vs 9.2
9.6 vs 9.2
9.6 vs 9.1
9.6 vs 9.0
9.6 vs 8.7
9.6 vs 8.6
Where dYdX is available
- Available
- Everywhere except Belarus, Canada, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, United States
Countries from the brand (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What are dYdX's trading fees?+
Taker fees are 0.025% to 0.05% and maker fees are -0.011% to 0.01%. Because the maker rate can turn negative, a resting order that gets filled can pay you rather than charge you. Takers pay the higher rate, so the order style you choose changes the cost of every trade.
Who holds the money I trade with?+
Self-custody is a listed feature, so your collateral stays in a wallet you control rather than in a balance the venue runs. The company behind the platform is dYdX Operations Services Ltd., and derivatives trading is marked as a yes, which is the product this structure is built around.
What kind of exchange is dYdX?+
It is a decentralised exchange whose listed market type is derivatives. Its listed features cover self custody and staking, so the set-up suits people comfortable running their own wallet rather than holding a balance with a broker. Assets stay with you, which also means you carry the responsibility for them.
How many coins can I trade on dYdX?+
The venue lists 99 coins. The median across listed derivatives exchanges is 305, and the median across exchanges is 74.5. The catalogue is built for a derivatives market, so long spot lists are not the focus here.
How do dYdX's fees compare with other derivatives venues?+
Taker fees of 0.025% to 0.05% sit under the listed derivatives exchange median of 0.1%, while the lower quartile for that group is 0.07%. Against a traditional broker such as ActivTrades, at 0%, dYdX is the pricier side.
Can I earn anything for trading on dYdX?+
Maker fees of -0.011% to 0.01% can sit below the starting rate, so some posted orders pay you rather than charge you. Staking is part of the listed features self custody and staking. The rebate follows the order itself rather than an account tier, so it pays most when orders rest on the book.
Is dYdX a good fit for a first crypto exchange?+
It suits traders more than casual buyers. Self-custody means you are responsible for the wallet holding your collateral, and the catalogue of 99 coins serves a single derivatives market. If you want to browse a much longer list first, a platform such as Bitpanda with from 650 coins is an easier start.
Sources
- docs.dydx.xyz/concepts/trading/rewards checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Features, Maker fee, Taker fee
“Rewards distributed to Validators and Stakers”
- dydx.trade/terms checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Derivatives
“Leading Decentralized Platform for Crypto Perpetual Trading”
- help.dydx.trade/en/articles/240149-affiliate-program-faq checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Legal entity
“Written by dYdX Operations Services Ltd.”
- dydx.xyz checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Coins listed, Exchange type
“99 Markets”
Compiled from 4 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Regulators, Fiat deposit methods.