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June 8, 2025
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OKX vs Bybit – Which Pays More? Complete 2025 Comparison for Affiliate Marketers

 

Executive Summary – Direct Comparison of OKX and Bybit Affiliate Programs

 

Choosing between OKX and Bybit as an affiliate partner represents a significant business decision for cryptocurrency marketers. Both exchanges offer substantial earning opportunities, but their commission structures and additional benefits differ in ways that directly impact your bottom line.

For immediate insight: Bybit generally offers higher maximum commission rates (up to 80%) compared to OKX’s cap of 50%. Additionally, Bybit provides lifetime commissions while OKX limits most commissions to one year. However, the complete picture involves numerous factors beyond these headline figures.

Feature Bybit OKX Advantage
Maximum Commission Rate Up to 80% Up to 50% Bybit
Commission Duration Lifetime 1 year for standard program Bybit
Sub-Affiliate Tiers Multi-tier structure Limited information available Bybit
Payout Methods Crypto, USDT Crypto, USDT, USD OKX
Payout Frequency Weekly Bi-weekly Bybit
Minimum Payout $50 equivalent $100 equivalent Bybit
VIP Program Yes, with negotiable rates Yes, with special promotions Equal
Tracking & Analytics Advanced dashboard Standard reporting tools Bybit

This analysis demonstrates that Bybit offers a more attractive structure for long-term passive income, particularly for marketers with substantial audience reach or the ability to build sub-affiliate networks. OKX may present advantages for specific affiliate profiles focused on first-year earnings or those with audiences in regions where Bybit faces restrictions.

If you want a broader look at other high paying crypto affiliate programs or the best crypto affiliate programs for 2025, see our expert rankings.

The following sections examine each component in detail to help determine which platform aligns with your specific affiliate marketing strategy and audience demographics.

 

Key Takeaways

 

  • Bybit offers up to 80% commission rates with lifetime payouts – unmatched for long-term passive income.
  • OKX caps standard commissions at 50%, with rates reducing sharply after the first year.
  • Bybit’s multi-tier sub-affiliate program enables scalable earnings through your network, while OKX is limited or requires negotiation.
  • Bybit pays out weekly (minimum $50), while OKX pays bi-weekly (minimum $100).
  • OKX may be advantageous for large direct-referral campaigns or affiliates in Bybit-restricted regions.
  • Advanced analytics and tracking available on Bybit support large-scale affiliate operations.

 

Table of Contents

 

 

Affiliate Commission Structures Compared

 

The fundamental difference between OKX and Bybit affiliate programs lies in their commission structures. Understanding these differences is essential for projecting potential earnings and optimizing your marketing strategy.

Bybit employs a tiered commission structure offering up to 80% of trading fees generated by referrals, while OKX caps standard commissions at 50% with a significant limitation: commissions decrease after the first year. This core distinction shapes the long-term value proposition of each program.

To discover how other exchanges like Binance, KuCoin, and MEXC structure their affiliate commissions, check out our 2025 crypto affiliate program comparison.

 

Bybit’s Commission Structure and Rates

Bybit’s affiliate program operates on a performance-based tier system that rewards high-performing affiliates with increased commission rates. The structure is designed to incentivize both immediate referrals and long-term relationship building.

The standard tiered structure works as follows:

Tier Level Commission Rate Monthly Referral Requirements
Standard 30% No minimum
Bronze 40% 10+ active traders or $50,000+ trading volume
Silver 50% 30+ active traders or $200,000+ trading volume
Gold 60% 100+ active traders or $1,000,000+ trading volume
Platinum 70% 300+ active traders or $5,000,000+ trading volume
Diamond 80% 500+ active traders or $10,000,000+ trading volume

The most significant advantage of Bybit’s structure is its lifetime commission model. Once you refer a trader, you continue earning a percentage of their trading fees indefinitely, creating a sustainable passive income stream. This compounds over time as your referral base grows.

For example, if you reach Gold tier status and refer 100 active traders with an average monthly trading volume of $10,000 each, you would earn approximately:
– 60% commission rate × 0.1% trading fee × $1,000,000 = $600 monthly
– This continues monthly as long as those traders remain active

Bybit also offers VIP negotiated rates for exceptional performers who exceed Diamond tier requirements, potentially pushing commission rates even higher for top affiliates.

If Bybit’s high rates appeal to you, you may want to explore other crypto affiliate networks with competitive rates like Bybit in the market.

 

OKX’s Commission Structure and Rates

OKX structures its affiliate program differently, focusing on higher first-year returns but with diminishing rates thereafter. This model favors aggressive short-term marketing rather than building long-term passive income.

The standard OKX affiliate structure:

Time Period Maximum Commission Rate
First year 50%
Second year 25%
Third year 10%
After third year 5%

OKX offers two primary earning models:

  • Revenue-sharing model: Earn up to 50% of trading fees generated by your referrals
  • CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) model: Earn fixed payments for qualified sign-ups (ranging from $10-100 depending on user activity)

For high-volume affiliates, OKX provides a Loyalty Program with enhanced benefits:

Monthly Referral Trading Volume Additional Benefits
$1,000,000+ Priority support, enhanced reporting
$5,000,000+ Custom landing pages, dedicated account manager
$10,000,000+ Special promotional opportunities, increased CPA rates

Using the same example as above (100 active traders with $10,000 monthly volume each):

– First year: 50% commission rate × 0.08% trading fee × $1,000,000 = $400 monthly

– Second year: 25% commission rate × 0.08% trading fee × $1,000,000 = $200 monthly

– Third year: 10% commission rate × 0.08% trading fee × $1,000,000 = $80 monthly

The decreasing rate structure significantly impacts long-term earning potential compared to Bybit’s lifetime commission model.

See a full breakdown of OKX’s affiliate benefits compared with other industry leaders in this top crypto affiliate programs 2025 roundup.

 

Sub-Affiliate Programs: Building a Passive Income Network

 

Building a network of sub-affiliates represents one of the most powerful strategies for scaling affiliate earnings. Rather than solely relying on direct referrals, leveraging other marketers’ efforts creates a multiplier effect on commission generation.

In this area, Bybit and OKX differ substantially in both structure and transparency.

For more strategies on how sub-affiliate and network programs can amplify your earnings, see the best crypto affiliate networks for 2025.

 

Building a Sub-Affiliate Network on Bybit

Bybit offers a comprehensive multi-tier sub-affiliate program that allows you to earn commissions from traders referred by your recruits. This creates significant passive income potential when properly leveraged.

Sub-Affiliate Level Commission Percentage of Sub-Affiliate’s Earnings
Level 1 (direct sub-affiliates) 10%
Level 2 (sub-affiliates recruited by your sub-affiliates) 5%

This structure means you not only earn from your direct referrals but also receive a percentage of what your sub-affiliates earn from their referrals.

For example, if you have:

– 10 direct sub-affiliates each earning $500 monthly
– Each sub-affiliate recruits 5 additional affiliates earning $200 monthly

Your earnings calculation:
– 10 direct sub-affiliates × $500 × 10% = $500/month
– 50 level-2 sub-affiliates × $200 × 5% = $500/month
– Total sub-affiliate earnings: $1,000/month (in addition to your direct referral commissions)

Bybit provides dedicated tools for tracking sub-affiliate performance, including:

  • Real-time dashboard showing sub-affiliate activity
  • Marketing materials specifically designed for recruiting affiliates
  • Detailed analytics on sub-affiliate conversion rates and earnings
  • Promotional materials to help your sub-affiliates succeed

This multi-tiered approach creates exponential earning potential as your network grows, making it particularly attractive for marketers with large audiences or strong networking capabilities.

If you want to compare with other platforms offering sophisticated sub-affiliate and network tools, don’t miss our crypto affiliate networks 2025 review.

 

Building a Sub-Affiliate Network on OKX

OKX provides less transparent information about its sub-affiliate structure. While the platform does offer sub-affiliate opportunities, the details are less clearly defined and often negotiated on a case-by-case basis for larger affiliates.

  • Single-tier sub-affiliate commission structure (approximately 5-10% of sub-affiliate earnings)
  • Limited tracking tools compared to Bybit’s comprehensive dashboard
  • Focus on direct referrals rather than building multi-tiered networks
  • Case-by-case negotiation for special sub-affiliate arrangements

For marketers focused on building passive income through sub-affiliate networks, Bybit’s clearly defined multi-tier structure offers greater transparency and scalability. However, OKX may offer competitive arrangements for high-volume affiliates willing to negotiate custom terms.

Discover which networks and exchanges offer the best support for sub-affiliate structures in our top crypto affiliate networks 2025 article.

 

Trading Fee Benefits: How Platform Fees Impact Affiliate Earnings

 

Trading fees form the foundation of affiliate commission calculations. Lower platform fees may benefit traders,
but can reduce the absolute dollar amount you earn as an affiliate since your share is a percentage of the total fees paid.

Bybit typically charges a trading fee of 0.1% for spot trades, with discounts available for VIPs and high-volume traders. OKX has a standard spot trading fee of 0.08%, also offering discounts for larger accounts or OKB token holders.

  • If your audience values the lowest possible trading fees, OKX may be more attractive, but your total commission is computed from a smaller fee base.
  • If your goal is to maximize affiliate revenue, Bybit’s higher commission percentages and tier system typically eclipse OKX’s small fee advantage over time.

For in-depth tables and user experience insights, see our full crypto affiliate networks 2025 review.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

    • Which affiliate program pays more in the long run: Bybit or OKX?

      Bybit’s lifetime commission structure and higher maximum commission rates make it the superior choice for long-term, passive income. While OKX may have a higher first-year payout for aggressive marketers, Bybit’s passive earning potential compounds over time.

 

    • Can I join both OKX and Bybit affiliate programs?

      Yes, many affiliate marketers promote multiple exchanges to maximize reach and diversify their income sources. Be mindful of each program’s terms and regional restrictions.

 

    • Does Bybit have higher trading fees than OKX?

      Bybit and OKX both offer competitive trading fees, with OKX often slightly cheaper at 0.08% vs Bybit’s 0.1% for spot trading. However, for affiliates, the difference in commission percentage far outweighs this small difference in user fee.

 

    • Is it possible to negotiate custom commission rates?

      Yes. Both platforms offer VIP programs and custom deals for high-volume affiliates. Bybit in particular is noted for flexibility once you surpass the base Diamond tier.