Post-Only Orders: Spot & Futures Platform Availability.

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Introduction

For new traders venturing into the world of cryptocurrency, understanding order types is paramount. Beyond simple market orders and limit orders, advanced order types like “post-only” orders can significantly refine your trading strategy, especially on futures platforms. This article will explore post-only orders, detailing their functionality, benefits, and availability across popular exchanges like Binance, Bybit, BingX, and Bitget. We’ll focus on how beginners can leverage this feature and provide context within the broader landscape of futures trading risk management. Understanding concepts like How to Calculate Futures PnL Accurately and Understanding the Role of Margin Calls in Futures Trading are crucial alongside mastering order types.

What are Post-Only Orders?

A post-only order is a specific type of limit order designed to ensure that your order *always* adds liquidity to the order book, rather than taking it. In essence, it guarantees your order will be placed as a "maker" order, meaning it won’t be immediately matched with an existing order (a "taker" order). This distinction is critical because maker orders typically benefit from reduced trading fees.

Here’s a breakdown:

**Maker:** An order that adds liquidity to the market by placing an order at a price that isn’t currently available. Makers “make” the market.
**Taker:** An order that removes liquidity from the market by immediately matching an existing order. Takers “take” liquidity.

Traditional limit orders *can* become taker orders if placed at prices that immediately match existing orders in the order book. A post-only order prevents this. If your post-only limit order would be executed as a taker order, it simply won't be filled. This is a deliberate design choice to prioritize fee reduction and contribution to market liquidity.

Benefits of Using Post-Only Orders

**Reduced Fees:** This is the primary advantage. Most exchanges offer lower fees for maker orders compared to taker orders. Over time, these savings can accumulate, especially for high-frequency traders.
**Avoidance of Slippage:** When placing a market order (a taker order), you’re accepting the next available price, which can be significantly different from the last quoted price, particularly in volatile markets. Post-only orders, being limit orders, allow you to specify your desired price, reducing the risk of unexpected execution prices (slippage).
**Strategic Order Placement:** Post-only orders enforce a disciplined approach to trading by preventing impulsive taker orders. You are forced to consider the price level at which you want to enter or exit a trade.
**Market Making:** While not the primary goal for most retail traders, using post-only orders contributes to a more liquid and efficient market.

Post-Only Order Availability Across Platforms

The availability and implementation of post-only orders vary across different exchanges. Here's a detailed look at some popular platforms:

Binance

**Spot Trading:** Binance does *not* offer a dedicated "post-only" order type on its spot market. However, you can achieve a similar effect by carefully placing limit orders well above the current ask (for buys) or below the current bid (for sells). This is less reliable than a dedicated post-only function.
**Futures Trading:** Binance Futures *does* offer a "Post Only" checkbox within the order entry interface. When checked, the system ensures your limit order will only be executed as a maker order.
**Order Types:** Limit, Market, Stop-Limit, OCO (One Cancels the Other), and Post Only.
**Fees:** Maker fees are significantly lower than taker fees. See Binance's fee schedule for specific tiers.
**User Interface:** Relatively straightforward. The "Post Only" checkbox is clearly visible when creating a limit order.

Bybit

**Spot Trading:** Bybit's spot market also lacks a dedicated post-only order type. Similar to Binance, careful limit order placement is required.
**Futures Trading:** Bybit Futures prominently features a "Post Only" option in its order entry panel. It’s a toggle switch that’s easy to enable or disable.
**Order Types:** Limit, Market, Conditional Order (Stop-Loss/Take-Profit), and Post Only.
**Fees:** Competitive maker/taker fee structure. Bybit often runs promotions that further reduce fees for makers.
**User Interface:** Clean and intuitive. The "Post Only" toggle is well-placed.

BingX

**Spot Trading:** BingX does not currently offer a post-only order type on its spot market.
**Futures Trading:** BingX Futures provides a "Post Only" option when placing limit orders. It’s a checkbox that must be selected.
**Order Types:** Limit, Market, Stop-Limit, TP/SL orders, and Post Only.
**Fees:** BingX offers a tiered fee structure with maker rebates available.
**User Interface:** The interface is user-friendly, with the "Post Only" option clearly visible within the limit order settings.

Bitget

**Spot Trading:** Bitget, like Binance and Bybit, does not have a dedicated post-only order type for spot trading.
**Futures Trading:** Bitget Futures includes a "Post Only" option when creating limit orders. It’s a checkbox that needs to be ticked.
**Order Types:** Limit, Market, Stop-Limit, TP/SL orders, and Post Only.
**Fees:** Bitget offers a competitive fee schedule with maker rebates.
**User Interface:** The order entry interface is well-organized, and the "Post Only" option is easily accessible.

Comparative Table of Post-Only Order Features

Exchange	Spot Availability	Futures Availability	User Interface	Fee Structure
Binance	No	Yes (Checkbox)	Straightforward	Tiered, Lower Maker Fees	Bybit	No	Yes (Toggle)	Clean & Intuitive	Competitive, Maker Rebates	BingX	No	Yes (Checkbox)	User-Friendly	Tiered, Maker Rebates	Bitget	No	Yes (Checkbox)	Well-Organized	Competitive, Maker Rebates

How to Use Post-Only Orders Effectively (For Beginners)

1. **Understand the Order Book:** Before placing a post-only order, familiarize yourself with the order book. Identify price levels where your order is unlikely to be immediately filled as a taker. 2. **Strategic Price Placement:** Place your limit order significantly above the current ask price (for buys) or below the current bid price (for sells). This increases the probability of your order being a maker order. 3. **Patience is Key:** Post-only orders may not be filled immediately. Be prepared to wait for the market to reach your desired price level. 4. **Consider Volatility:** In highly volatile markets, the spread between the bid and ask can widen rapidly. Adjust your limit order price accordingly to avoid it becoming a taker order. 5. **Combine with Stop-Loss Orders:** Always use a How to Use Limit and Market Orders on a Crypto Exchange" in conjunction with your post-only orders to limit potential losses. A stop-loss order will automatically close your position if the price moves against you. 6. **Be Aware of Margin:** When trading futures, remember the importance of managing your margin. Understanding the Role of Margin Calls in Futures Trading is critical to avoid liquidation. Post-only orders themselves don't directly impact margin, but the positions they create do. 7. **Practice with Small Amounts:** Start with small positions to gain experience and understand how post-only orders work in different market conditions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

**Placing Limit Orders Too Close to the Current Price:** This increases the likelihood of your order being filled as a taker order, defeating the purpose of using a post-only order.
**Ignoring Market Volatility:** Failing to adjust your limit order price in response to market volatility can result in your order not being filled or being filled at an unfavorable price.
**Forgetting to Set a Stop-Loss Order:** This can lead to significant losses if the market moves against you.
**Over-Reliance on Post-Only Orders:** While beneficial, post-only orders are not a guaranteed path to profit. They are just one tool in your trading arsenal.

Conclusion

Post-only orders are a valuable tool for traders looking to reduce fees, avoid slippage, and improve their trading discipline. While not available on the spot markets of the exchanges discussed, they are a standard feature on their futures platforms. By understanding the principles behind post-only orders and how they are implemented on different exchanges, beginners can enhance their trading strategies and navigate the cryptocurrency markets more effectively. Remember to combine this order type with sound risk management practices, including setting stop-loss orders and understanding the implications of margin trading.

Recommended Futures Trading Platforms

Platform	Futures Features	Register
Binance Futures	Leverage up to 125x, USDⓈ-M contracts	Register now
Bitget Futures	USDT-margined contracts	Open account

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