TLDR
- Deribit launches automated VIP fee tiers with up to 66% discounts for high-volume traders.
- CME’s XRP and Solana options drive surge in crypto derivatives trading volume.
- VIP 1 at Deribit requires 100,000 USDC and offers U.S. Treasury yield benefits.
- CME’s Bitcoin options volume hits $1.20 billion, surpassing Binance’s volume.
As trading volumes on CME Group surge following the launch of XRP and Solana options, Deribit, the leading crypto derivatives exchange, has introduced an updated fee structure. Starting November 1, 2025, Deribit will implement an automated system to assign VIP fee tiers based on users’ trading volumes. This revision aims to enhance transparency and offer traders better incentives, especially in light of increasing competition from CME’s growing crypto derivatives offerings.
New VIP Fee Tier System at Deribit
Deribit has unveiled a revised fee structure designed to reward high-volume traders with significant discounts. This system automatically assigns a VIP level to each account based on trading volumes accumulated between September 15 and October 14, 2025.
The tier system ranges from standard to VIP 6, with higher tiers offering greater discounts. VIP 1, for instance, offers a 16.66% discount on options trades and 30% off on futures or perpetual trades. Traders in the highest VIP tier (VIP 6) can receive up to a 66.66% discount on options trades and 55% on futures and perpetual trades.
The tier system is aimed at increasing trading activity on Deribit by offering more attractive terms to active traders. Lin Chen, Deribit’s spokesperson, emphasized that the VIP 1 level requires an account balance of 100,000 USDC, which can earn U.S. Treasury yields. Chen also pointed out that only USDC in the account qualifies for this benefit, while equivalent amounts in Bitcoin or Ethereum will not be considered.
XRP and Solana Options Boost Trading Activity on CME
This update from Deribit comes at a time when trading volumes are seeing a significant rise on CME Group following the recent launch of XRP and Solana options. These new crypto offerings have captured the interest of institutional traders, further intensifying competition in the crypto derivatives market. With Bitcoin and Ethereum options already recording high volumes on CME, the addition of XRP and Solana options is expected to drive even more activity on the platform.
According to data from Coinglass, CME’s Bitcoin options market recently surpassed Binance in terms of trading volume. CME reached a record high of $1.20 billion in Bitcoin options volume, while Deribit recorded a total of $3.80 billion in trading volume. The increasing demand for crypto derivatives has led CME to expand its offerings, which now includes the option to trade crypto futures and options 24/7, starting in 2026.
Deribit’s Position in the Competitive Market
Despite the rising popularity of CME’s offerings, Deribit remains the dominant player in the crypto derivatives market, particularly in Bitcoin and Ethereum options. However, the recent changes in CME’s trading hours and new product offerings, such as XRP and Solana options, pose a challenge to Deribit’s long-standing leadership. The new VIP fee structure from Deribit is seen as a strategy to retain high-volume traders and remain competitive in an increasingly crowded market.
As CME Group prepares for a 24/7 crypto derivatives trading schedule next year, Deribit will need to continue evolving its offerings to maintain its position. The updated fee structure may provide the platform with a tool to further cement its dominance by rewarding traders who contribute to high volumes.
Future Prospects for Crypto Derivatives Markets
The introduction of automated fee tiers by Deribit is just one example of how exchanges are adapting to the growing institutional interest in crypto derivatives. With new products being launched on both Deribit and CME, the competition is expected to intensify, particularly as institutional participation continues to rise.
This shift may lead to changes in pricing strategies and trading hours as exchanges work to accommodate the evolving demands of the market. Traders and institutional investors will likely closely monitor how these changes play out, as the competitive landscape in crypto derivatives continues to shift.
