Key Takeaways
- The dYdX Affiliate Program offers lifetime commissions with instant USDC payouts, making it a great opportunity for long-term passive income;
- You can join dYdX’s standard program once you hit $10K in trading volume or apply for VIP status if you have a large audience for even higher earning potential;
- Commissions range from 15% of referred taker fees for standard affiliates and rise to up to 50% for VIPs, while traders who join via a referral link receive up to $550 in fee discounts.
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What if I told you that you could earn thousands in USDC without constant effort? I believe you’d say, “Sign me up for that!”. Well, you can actually do that by joining the dYdX Affiliate Program. You can earn up to 3,000 USDC per referral in any 30-day period - and even more if you’re a VIP. The best part? As long as your referrals keep trading, you keep earning. Forever.
How does it work? Simple – you refer new users to dYdX and then sit back and watch your earnings grow as they trade. Of course, the earnings depend on the number of users you refer and how active they are (the more active they stay, the more you earn).
That said, the dYdX Affiliate Program is packed with benefits, so let’s explore everything you need to know about it.
Spoiler alert: You don’t need to have a large network or audience to qualify – whether you’re a creator or just have a network of Web3 friends who like to trade, you can earn!
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Table of Contents
- 1. What is the dYdX Affiliate Program?
- 1.1. Affiliate Perks
- 1.2. Referred User Perks
- 1.3. Standard VS VIP Affiliates
- 2. How to Join the dYdX Affiliate Program
- 2.1. dYdX Standard Affiliates
- 2.2. dYdX VIP Affiliates
- 3. Affiliate Program Guidelines & Tips
- 4. dYdX Affiliate Program VS Other Programs
- 4.1. dYdX VS Binance
- 4.2. dYdX VS Coinbase
- 5. Conclusions
What is the dYdX Affiliate Program?
dYdX launched their Affiliate Program in 2024 as part of dYdX Unlimited, a major upgrade which also introduced Instant Market Listings, new trading rewards and MegaVault.
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dYdX is a pro-grade DeFi trading platform that lets you trade crypto derivatives with up to 50x leverage. It runs on its own layer 1 network, offering low fees, fast transactions, and complete self-custody of funds, meaning you are always in control over your assets.
The dYdX Affiliate Program has a triple purpose. On the one hand, it's a tool for dYdX to accelerate its platform growth. On the other, it’s a way for affiliates to earn USDC in real-time. However, it also helps referred users save up to $550 on fees. At the end of the day, it's a win-win situation for all.
Keep in mind that you can only join the program if you live where dYdX is supported. It’s NOT available in the US, Canada, the UK and other sanctioned territories.
Affiliate Perks
Now, let's talk a bit more about those benefits. dYdX affiliates get multiple:
- Instant USDC payouts
- Lifetime commissions
- Earnings of up to 3,000 USDC per referral (in a 30-day period)
- Higher rewards for VIP affiliates
- Transparent, on-chain tracking
First off, with the dYdX Affiliate Program, you’re getting instant USDC payouts. They are paid out automatically via the protocol on-chain. No waiting around for weekly or monthly claiming processes, your earnings hit your wallet as soon as a block is settled. That means you can reinvest, withdraw, or do whatever you want with your funds immediately.
What really sets this program apart is the lifetime dYdX affiliate commissions. Most referral deals give you a cut for a few months, maybe a year if you’re lucky, but dYdX pays you for as long as your referred traders keep trading. You bring in an active user once, and that single referral keeps earning for you indefinitely.
And if they’re high-volume traders, the rewards get even better. You can earn up to 3,000 USDC per referral every 30 days, which adds up fast if you’re bringing in the right users. There’s also a VIP program for dYdX affiliates that unlocks even higher earnings (up to 10,000 USDC per referral), but I’ll cover that in more detail further in this article.
dYdX’s revenue share percentage and cap aren’t fixed. They can be adjusted through community proposals via dYdX Chain Governance.
Besides, the platform keeps everything completely transparent with an easy-to-track dYdX affiliate earnings dashboard. No guesswork, no hidden fees, just a clear breakdown of what you’ve earned and why.
Put simply, dYdX isn’t playing around when it comes to rewarding affiliates. Whether you’re casually referring a few friends or actively building a network, the program is designed to reward real growth in real time.
Referred User Perks
Why would anyone sign up via a referral link instead of directly? Fee discounts.
Instead of paying full trading fees from the get-go like everyone else, referred users can save up to $550 in fees on dYdX, which adds up quickly, especially if they’re trading actively. They immediately start at fee tier 3, a level normally reserved for users with at least $5 million in 30-day trading volume.
For referred users, the trading fees start at 0.005% for makers and 0.04% for takers.
dYdX shows fees in bps (basis points) instead of percentages, where 1 bps = 0.01%. To make things easier, here’s the full fee structure, converted into percentages for clarity:
30D Trading Vol. | Exchange Mkt. Share | Maker Fees | Taker Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tier 1 | < $1M | - | 0.01% | 0.05% |
Tier 2 | ≥ $1M | - | 0.01% | 0.045% |
Tier 3 | ≥ $5M | - | 0.005% | 0.04% |
Tier 4 | ≥ $25M | - | 0% | 0.035% |
Tier 5 | ≥ $125M | - | 0% | 0.03% |
Tier 6 | ≥ $125M | ≥0.5% | -0.005% | 0.025% |
Tier 7 | ≥ $125M | ≥1% | -0.007% | 0.025% |
Tier 8 | ≥ $125M | ≥2% | -0.009% | 0.025% |
Tier 9 | ≥ $125M | ≥4% | -0.011% | 0.025% |
Table: dYdX's trading fee structure
Of course, while referred users start at Tier 3, they can drop these fees even lower or turn them into rebates if they are high-volume market makers (meaning they'll actually earn a small percentage instead of paying a fee). To qualify, their account must reach $125 million in 30-day trading volume, and their exchange market share must be at least 0.5%.
FYI, the exchange market share is the proportion of total trading volume a trader contributes relative to the entire dYdX exchange.
So, if you’re a referred user, you immediately start your trading journey on dYdX a few steps ahead.
📚 Read More: dYdX Review
Standard VS VIP Affiliates
As I’ve already mentioned, there are two levels to the dYdX referral program – standard and VIP. Here’s a TL;DR of how they differ:
Standard | VIP | |
|---|---|---|
Commission Rates | Up to 15% of taker fees | Up to 50% of taker fees |
Earning Cap (30D Period) | Up to 3,000 USDC per referral | Up to 10,000 USDC per referral |
Eligibility | At least $10,000 in trading volume on dYdX | At least 30,000 legitimate followers on social media OR a well-designed website with proven traffic |
Table: Standard VS VIP dYdX Affiliate Program comparison
Standard affiliates can earn up to 15% of taker fees from their referred users, with a cap of 3,000 USDC per referral within a 30-day period. If you want those earnings, you have to make sure to bring users who will actually trade.
To qualify as a standard affiliate, you need to have traded at least $10,000 on dYdX, whether through direct trading or leveraged positions. So, essentially, anyone can become a standard affiliate.
VIP dYdX affiliates, on the other hand, get access to higher rewards, earning up to 50% of taker fees with a cap of 10,000 USDC per referral every 30 days.
However, reaching VIP status isn’t as simple; it’s for those with a substantial online presence, usually requiring at least 30,000 social media followers. Or, if you’re an affiliate with a web presence, you must have a well-designed website with proven traffic. A history of successful referrals in other affiliate programs (preferably crypto or DeFi) is also a plus.
However, even if you don’t meet the VIP program’s eligibility criteria, but you’ve brought a substantial number of active users to dYdX while being in their standard affiliate program level, you can still apply for the VIP level.
The key difference between these two tiers comes down to earning potential and exclusivity. Standard affiliates have an easier entry point but lower commission rates, while VIP affiliates can unlock higher rewards if they meet the stricter eligibility requirements.
How to Join the dYdX Affiliate Program
Enough theory, let’s talk about how to join the dYdX Affiliate Program, starting with the standard tier.
First stop? The dYdX Affiliate Telegram group – it gives direct access to the team and community to ask any questions you may have and get a feel for the program. It’s a hub for affiliates to get real-time updates and networking. Plus, you can get some tips for affiliate success, too.
dYdX Standard Affiliates
Joining as a standard affiliate is quick and easy:
You can choose from a variety of wallets, including the Coinbase Wallet, the OKX wallet, or even your Ledger wallet. You can also connect via email, but you will still need to connect a wallet to trade and earn.
![dYdX Affiliate Program: the [Invite Friends] button.](https://assets.bitdegree.org/images/dydx-affiliate-program-referrals-dashboard-v1.jpg "dYdX Affiliate Program: the [Invite Friends] button.")
That’s all. You can see all your referrals, their trading volumes, and your earnings in the “Referrals” dashboard. The earnings are automatically paid out into your connected wallet.
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dYdX VIP Affiliates
Joining the VIP Tier is a simple process, but there is required criteria to meet in order to get approved (refer to the “Standard VS VIP Affiliates” chapter for eligibility criteria):
Make sure to encourage your referrals to not only join dYdX, but stay active on it. Remember, the more they trade, the higher your earnings will be.
VIP affiliates are reviewed every three months based on fees, trading volume, and user activity. Those who don’t meet the requirements may lose their VIP status.
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Affiliate Program Guidelines & Tips
To remain an active affiliate on dYdX, there’s a few non-negotiables. For starters, you have to stay transparent about your partnership with dYdX. People can spot fake or misleading promotions a mile away, so honesty is everything. Make sure your content is accurate, and always be upfront about being a dYdX affiliate.
Moreover, legal and regulatory compliance isn’t just a suggestion but a requirement – you need to follow advertising guidelines, data protection laws, and any other regulations that apply in your area.
Don’t promote dYdX in restricted regions like the US, Canada, or the UK. It’s not allowed, so ignoring that could get you removed from the program.
But besides that, here are a few tips that might help you maximize your affiliate earnings:
1
Avoid Spam at All Costs
Flooding Telegram chats, Discord servers, or social media with your referral link won’t just annoy people, it’ll likely get you banned. Spam is actually one of the biggest affiliate mistakes.[1] Focus on quality over quantity when it comes to your promotions.
2
Content is King, and Strategy is Queen
Instead of creating low-effort promos, focus on quality content that actually gets people interested. Engaging posts, useful insights, and genuine recommendations[2] will always work better than just dumping links.
3
Know Your Audience
The key is to match your messaging to your audience. If you’re posting on X or Telegram groups full of DeFi degens, talk about gas savings, no KYC, and high-leverage opportunities.
If you’re targeting newcomers, focus on security, user-friendly features, and educational content that helps them get started. The more tailored your approach, the better your results.
4
Leverage Multiple Channels
Using multiple channels increases your reach. A strong blog post can bring organic traffic, while YouTube videos create visual engagement. Social media posts can go viral, and an email list ensures direct communication with potential users.
dYdX Affiliate Program VS Other Programs
Now, let’s see how the dYdX Affiliate Program compares to other affiliate programs. Since there are not many offered by other DEXs, let's compare it to those offered by the top centralized exchanges like Binance and Coinbase.
dYdX VS Binance
Both dYdX and Binance affiliate programs offer strong earning potential. However, dYdX stands out with lifetime commissions and instant USDC payouts, while Binance provides more streams for earning commissions, but is tailored for influencers and businesses.
Where dYdX stands out:
- Lifetime commissions – you earn for as long as your referral keeps trading.
- Instant USDC payouts – funds go straight to your wallet on-chain, with no delays.
- Easier to join – standard affiliates only need $10,000 in trading volume (which can be leveraged).
- Transparent, on-chain tracking – verifiable affiliate dashboards to track your performance.
- Best for passive, long-term income – ideal for affiliates focused on DeFi.
Where Binance differs:
- Up to 50% commission for Spot, 40% for Futures, but only if strict performance targets are met.
- Various revenue streams available (e.g., Spot, Futures, Binance Pool).
- Payouts can be slower due to internal systems.
- Offers branding and promotional opportunities, which aren’t suited to standard affiliates.
- Barrier to entry, requiring at least 5,000 followers.
- Less transparency due to more complex reporting.
That said, dYdX keeps it simpler, faster, and more transparent, with no payment delays or performance thresholds to stress over.
- Secure and reliable
- Accepts fiat currencies
- Lots of trading options
- Reputable exchange
- Accepts fiat currencies
- Offers various trading options
- Fiat currencies - accepted
- Simple to use
- Accepts only the most trustworthy cryptocurrencies
- A leading cryptocurrency exchange platform
- Best for beginner investors
- Accepts fiat currencies
- Fully reserved and transparent
- Multiple tradable asset classes
- Over 300 supported cryptos
- Over 300 cryptocurrencies
- Secure & transparent
- Fully reserved
dYdX VS Coinbase
Both dYdX and Coinbase offer affiliate programs, but they cater to different needs. If you’re after long-term, passive income with real-time payouts, dYdX is the better fit. Coinbase offers interesting short-term incentives, but falls down on the longer-term gains.
Where dYdX stands out:
- Lifetime commissions – earn continuously as long as your referral keeps trading.
- Instant, on-chain USDC payouts – no waiting, or delays.
- Accessible to anyone – no need to have a large network or audience to join.
- Up to 15% of taker fees for standard affiliates, and up to 50% for VIPs.
Where Coinbase differs:
- 50% commission, but only for the first 3 months after a referral signs up.
- 30-day cookie window – if users sign up after this time, the affiliate gets nothing.
- Payouts via bank or PayPal – slower than on-chain payments.
- Not open to everyone – the Coinbase affiliate program is open only to those with large networks or audiences, such as companies and influencers/KOLs.
- Offers comprehensive tools including advanced, customizable reports and landing pages.
Whilst Coinbase is interesting for influencers/KOLs looking for short-term gains, dYdX offers sustainable, decentralized earnings for anyone.
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Conclusions
The dYdX Affiliate Program has several obvious benefits for both the affiliates and the referred users. The former get lifetime commissions, real-time payouts, and transparent commission tracking on-chain – all with a low barrier to entry.
If you’re a standard affiliate (which anyone can become), you can earn up to 15% of the taker fees of your referrals, with the possibility of earning up to 3,000 USDC per referral every 30 days. VIP affiliates can unlock even more (up to 50% – or 10,000 USDC per referral every 30 days).
Plus, the referred users also win. They immediately start their trading journey on dYdX with tier 3 trading fees, which they would normally only get by increasing their 30-day trading volume to at least $5 million.
Want to become a dYdX affiliate? Create an account and increase your trading volume to $10,000 to unlock access or fill out their VIP referral form.
The content published on this website is not aimed to give any kind of financial, investment, trading, or any other form of advice. BitDegree.org does not endorse or suggest you to buy, sell or hold any kind of cryptocurrency. Before making financial investment decisions, do consult your financial advisor.
Scientific References
1. Brown B. C.: 'The Complete Guide to Affiliate Marketing on the Web: How to Use and Profit From Affiliate Marketing Programs';
2. Nolan R.: 'Six-Figure Affiliate Marketing: How To Build A Profitable Online Business With No Product And Little Investment'.
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