# dYdX Alternatives: Best Perpetual Trading Platforms in 2026 > Compare dYdX alternatives by fees, custody, and market coverage — Liquid, Bybit, OKX, and Kraken versus the dYdX crypto perp DEX. - Canonical: https://www.liquid.trade/learn/dydx-alternatives - Published: 2026-09-24 - Updated: 2026-09-24 - Category: Education - Tags: Guide, Perps, Beginner --- ## The short answer The best dYdX alternatives in 2026 are **Liquid** for 24/7, non-custodial perpetuals across stocks, pre-IPO, commodities, FX, indices, and crypto; **Bybit** and **OKX** for deep crypto derivatives liquidity and tiered fees; and **Kraken** for a long security track record. dYdX remains a well-regarded crypto-native perp DEX. ## Why traders look beyond dYdX - **Crypto-only market coverage.** dYdX lists crypto perpetual markets; traders who also want stocks, pre-IPO companies, commodities, FX, or indices as perpetuals need a venue that lists those. ([dYdX docs](https://docs.dydx.exchange/), accessed 2026-09-24) - **Wallet-and-bridge onboarding.** Trading on dYdX means connecting a self-custody wallet and funding the dYdX Chain rather than opening a single account that also covers fiat and multi-asset markets. ([dYdX docs](https://docs.dydx.exchange/), accessed 2026-09-24) - **Governance-set parameters.** Fee tiers, rewards, and market listings are adjustable by governance, so the schedule and the available market set can change over time. ([dYdX docs](https://docs.dydx.exchange/), accessed 2026-09-24) - **Conditional fee discounts.** Lower fees depend on 30-day trailing volume plus staked DYDX, and staking discounts apply only to net positive trading fees, not maker rebates. ([dYdX docs](https://docs.dydx.exchange/), accessed 2026-09-24) - **Front-end and API access.** Traders interact through dYdX front-ends or APIs, which suits technical users but is a different account and product fit from a single multi-asset account. ([dYdX docs](https://docs.dydx.exchange/), accessed 2026-09-24) ## Compare dYdX alternatives at a glance | Platform | Custody | Trading hours | Max multiplier | Asset classes | AI assistant | Best for | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | **Liquid** | **Non-custodial** | **24/7 incl. weekends** | **Up to 50x** | Stocks, pre-IPO, commodities, FX, indices, crypto — as perps | Yes (Co-Invest) | 24/7 multi-asset perps + AI | | **Bybit** | Custodial | 24/7 crypto | Varies by market | Crypto spot, perps, futures, options; some TradFi perps | No | Deep crypto derivatives liquidity | | **OKX** | Custodial | 24/7 crypto | Varies by market | Spot, margin, futures, options, Web3 | No | Deep derivatives liquidity | | **Kraken** | Custodial | 24/7 crypto | Varies by market | Spot, margin, futures, some equities | No | Security track record | | **dYdX** | **Non-custodial** | 24/7 crypto | Varies by market | Crypto perpetuals | No | Crypto-native perp DEX | ## Fees compared Every platform's published schedule in the **same format**: entry tier, top tier, and tier basis. Compare like-for-like — spot, futures, and perpetual fees are different products. Full ladders are linked. | Platform | Product | Entry tier (maker / taker) | Top tier (maker / taker) | Tier basis | |---|---|---|---|---| | **Liquid** | Perps (all-in) | 0.065% / 0.095% | 0.050% / 0.074% | 14-day weighted volume | | **Liquid** | Spot (all-in) | 0.040% / 0.070% | 0.000% / 0.025% | 14-day weighted volume | | **Bybit** | Perps / Futures | 0.0200% / 0.0550% | 0.0000% / 0.0300% | 30-day volume or asset balance | | **Bybit** | Spot (crypto) | 0.1000% / 0.1000% | 0.0300% / 0.0450% | 30-day volume or asset balance | | **OKX** | Spot | 0.08% / 0.10% | Negative maker at VIP 7+ | 30-day volume | | **OKX** | Futures | 0.02% / 0.05% | Negative maker at VIP 7+ | 30-day volume | | **Kraken** | Spot | 0.40% / 0.80% | 0.00% / 0.05% | 30-day spot volume or assets on platform | | **Kraken** | Futures | 0.02% / 0.05% | −0.006% / 0.0125% | 30-day futures/spot volume or assets on platform | | **dYdX** | Perps | Tiered maker / taker (see dYdX docs) | Maker rebates at top tiers | 30-day trailing volume (+ staked DYDX discounts) | **Full published schedules:** [Liquid](/learn/perpetual-futures-fees) · [dYdX docs](https://docs.dydx.exchange/) · [Bybit](https://www.bybit.com/en/help-center/article/Trading-Fee-Structure) · [OKX](https://www.okx.com/en-us/fees) · [Kraken](https://www.kraken.com/features/fee-schedule) --- ## 1. Liquid **Overview:** AI-native, non-custodial platform for perpetual contracts across stocks, pre-IPO companies, commodities, FX, indices, and crypto — 300+ markets in one account, up to 50x multipliers, instant settlement, and [Co-Invest](/coinvest), an AI assistant in Claude, ChatGPT, Grok, Meta Muse, and iMessage. **Best for:** Traders who want multi-asset perpetuals — including stocks, pre-IPO, commodities, FX, and indices — in one non-custodial account with an AI interface. **Fees:** Perps 0.095% / 0.065% (Tier 0); spot 0.070% / 0.040%; 14-day weighted volume tiers; maker rebates paid continuously. [Fee docs](https://docs.liquid.trade/trading/fees). **Custody:** Non-custodial — funds stay in your wallet and trades settle on-chain; contracts are independently [audited](/audits). [Security docs](https://docs.liquid.trade/security). **Trading hours:** 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays. **Limitations:** No fiat custody by design; markets, features, and eligibility vary by jurisdiction; perps are derivatives, not ownership. --- ## 2. Bybit **Overview:** Large global crypto exchange offering spot, perpetuals, futures, and options, with a VIP program. **Best for:** Crypto derivatives traders who want deep liquidity and a broad set of crypto products. **Fees:** Perps/futures VIP 0 maker 0.0200% / taker 0.0550%; spot crypto VIP 0 0.1000% / 0.1000%; tiers by 30-day volume or asset balance. [Bybit fee structure](https://www.bybit.com/en/help-center/article/Trading-Fee-Structure). **Custody:** Custodial. **Trading hours:** 24/7 for crypto. **Limitations:** Custodial; fee rates vary by region; product availability, including TradFi instruments, differs by jurisdiction. --- ## 3. OKX **Overview:** Global exchange with deep derivatives liquidity, an integrated Web3 wallet, and a broad product ecosystem. **Best for:** Derivatives traders who want depth and a wide crypto product set. **Fees:** Spot entry 0.08% / 0.10%; futures 0.02% / 0.05%. [OKX fees](https://www.okx.com/en-us/fees). **Custody:** Custodial. **Trading hours:** 24/7 for crypto. **Limitations:** Custodial; complex interface; perpetual futures and advanced derivatives not available to US users. --- ## 4. Kraken **Overview:** Founded in 2011; one of the longest-running exchanges, publishing proof-of-reserves reviews. **Best for:** Traders who prioritize a long security track record. **Fees:** Spot Tier 1 0.40% / 0.80%; futures Tier 1 0.02% / 0.05%. [Kraken fee schedule](https://www.kraken.com/features/fee-schedule). **Custody:** Custodial. **Trading hours:** 24/7 for crypto. **Limitations:** Custodial; futures restricted in some jurisdictions; product coverage varies by account and jurisdiction. --- ## How we evaluated these platforms We compared platforms on **fees, custody, market coverage, asset-class breadth, and account fit** for traders considering a move from dYdX. Fees use each platform's published schedule, shown in a uniform format. Data is from platform documentation, cited inline; verified 2026-09-24. We did not independently test execution quality or liquidity. ## Verdict If you want a crypto-native, governance-driven perpetual DEX, stay with **dYdX** — it is purpose-built for that and does it well. Choose **Liquid** if you want multi-asset perpetuals — stocks, pre-IPO, commodities, FX, indices, and crypto — in one non-custodial account with an AI-native Co-Invest interface. **Bybit** and **OKX** suit traders who want deep crypto derivatives liquidity on a centralized venue, and **Kraken** remains a fit for those who prioritize a long security track record and fiat rails. ## About the author Franklyn Wang is the CEO & Founder of Liquid, an AI-native, non-custodial trading platform. [X](https://x.com/frank_liquid) · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/franklyn-wang) ## Sources & further reading - [dYdX documentation](https://docs.dydx.exchange/) — accessed 2026-09-24 - [dYdX trading app](https://dydx.trade/) — accessed 2026-09-24 - [Bybit trading fee structure](https://www.bybit.com/en/help-center/article/Trading-Fee-Structure) — accessed 2026-09-24 - [OKX fees](https://www.okx.com/en-us/fees) — accessed 2026-09-24 - [Kraken fee schedule](https://www.kraken.com/features/fee-schedule) — accessed 2026-09-24 - [Liquid fee documentation](https://docs.liquid.trade/trading/fees) — accessed 2026-09-24 - [Liquid security documentation](https://docs.liquid.trade/security) — accessed 2026-09-24 - Related: [Best perpetual futures platforms](/learn/best-perpetual-futures-platforms) · [Which leverage trading platforms are non-custodial?](/learn/non-custodial-leverage-trading-platforms)