Trading Fees
CounterTrader uses a simple, transparent fee structure to keep trades affordable while supporting platform development.
Fee Summary
| Fee Type | Rate | How It's Collected |
|---|---|---|
| Escrow Fee | 1-5% (provider sets) | Deducted from seller's payment |
| Protocol Fee | 1% (0.5% each) | Added to balance, paid separately |
Escrow Fee (1-5%)
When you use escrow protection, the escrow provider sets their own fee (typically 1-5%). This fee compensates the trusted agent who secures your trade.
Multi-Agent System
CounterTrader supports multiple escrow providers. When initiating an escrow trade, you'll see available providers with their fees, trade counts, and ratings. Choose the provider that best fits your needs.
- Paid by: The seller
- Collected: Deducted when funds are released
- Rate: Set by each escrow provider (1-5%)
- Purpose: Compensates the escrow agent for the service
Choosing a Provider
When you start an escrow trade, you'll see a list of available providers:
🏛️ Select Escrow Provider
Consider:
- Fee rate: Lower is better, but don't sacrifice trust
- Trade count: More trades = more experience
- Rating: Higher ratings indicate reliability
Example: $100 Escrow Trade (2% provider)
Protocol Fee (1%)
A 1% protocol fee is charged on all trades (both Escrow and P2P) to support CounterTrader's development. This fee is:
- Split: 0.5% for buyer + 0.5% for seller
- Collected: Added to your fee balance (NOT deducted from the trade)
- Payment: Honor system - remit periodically via
/fees
Important: Not Deducted
The protocol fee is not taken out of your trade. It's tracked separately and you remit it periodically. This keeps trades simpler and more transparent.
Fee Examples
Escrow Trade ($100, 2% provider)
Deducted from trade:
Added to fee balance:
P2P Trade ($100)
Deducted from trade:
Added to fee balance:
Checking Your Fee Balance
View your outstanding protocol fee balance anytime with the /fees command:
/fees Protocol Fee Balance
Outstanding: 15,234 sats (~$1.42)
Remit periodically to support CounterTrader.
Why This Structure?
Escrow fee (variable): Different providers can set competitive rates. You choose who to trust and what fee works for your trade size.
Protocol fee: Supports ongoing CounterTrader development, server costs, and improvements. By tracking it separately (not deducting from trades), we keep the trading experience simple while maintaining transparency.
Honor system: We trust our community to remit protocol fees periodically. This builds a sustainable ecosystem while respecting that traders are busy managing their portfolios.
Quick Comparison
| Trade Type | Deducted | Added to Balance |
|---|---|---|
| Escrow | 1-5% escrow fee | 0.5% per party |
| P2P | None | 0.5% per party |