Darius Elvon

KuCoin vs Binance Referral Earnings: Who Pays More?

For many cryptocurrency enthusiasts, referral programs are a key way to earn passive income. By bringing new users to an exchange, you receive a commission on their trading fees. This can become a significant revenue stream, especially when referring to high-volume traders. 

When comparing the two giants, KuCoin and Binance, the question of which offers superior referral earnings is complex, relying not just on the percentage but also on the structure and long-term viability of the programs.

The Basics of Exchange Referral Programs

A referral program allows existing users (the referrers) to invite new users (the referees) using a unique link. When the referee signs up and starts trading, the referrer earns a percentage of the trading fees paid by the referee. The rate often depends on the referrer's account level, the referee's trading activity, and whether the referrer shares a portion of their commission with the referee.

Read more: FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions about KuCoin Exchange

Binance Referral Program: The Dynamic Model

Binance offers a robust and well-established referral system with clear, dynamic tiers.

Commission Structure

The base referral rate on Binance starts at 20%. This means you receive 20% of the trading fees paid by the user you referred to.
Tiered Earning

To increase your earnings, you must meet specific criteria:

• Standard Rate (20%): If your average daily BNB (Binance Coin) balance is less than 500 BNB, your base rate is 20%.
• Increased Rate (40%): If your average daily BNB balance is 500 BNB or more, your maximum rate increases to 40%.

Rebate Requirement

The critical factor in the Binance program is the rebate share. A referrer has the option to share a portion of their commission with the referred user (the referee).

• For the 20% base rate: You must share at least 0% and can share up to 10% with the referee.
• For the 40% maximum rate: You must share at least 10% and can share up to 20% with the referee.

This structure incentivizes referrers to hold BNB to unlock the higher 40% rate, and it mandates sharing a portion back to attract more active users.

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KuCoin Referral Program: The Fixed-Rate Model

KuCoin's referral system is simpler and emphasizes the direct earning potential without mandatory native token holding.

Commission Structure

The base referral rate on KuCoin is a fixed 20% commission on the trading fees of the users you refer.

Tiered Earnings and Bonuses

Unlike Binance, the KuCoin program's commission rate is usually fixed at 20% for the referrer, regardless of whether you hold KCS (KuCoin Shares) or not. However, the program often runs time-limited events or specific partner structures that offer higher bonuses:

• Super Affiliates: High-volume referrers can apply to become Super Affiliates, which unlocks a higher, customized commission rate that can exceed the standard 20%.
• Bonus Tasks: KuCoin frequently rolls out special campaigns that offer one-time bonuses for inviting users who complete specific tasks (e.g., reaching a certain trading volume).

Cashback and Auto Rebate (Backcom KuCoin)

The major advantage for attracting new traders to KuCoin often lies in the flexibility of the commission. Referrers have full control over how much of their 20% commission they wish to share with the referee.

The term "Backcom KuCoin" is frequently used in the community to describe third-party affiliate setups where a high percentage of the 20% referral commission (e.g., 50% or more of the commission) is automatically rebated back to the referred user. This effective cashback on fees makes the KuCoin referral link highly attractive to high-volume traders, even if the referrer’s maximum direct earning percentage is lower than Binance’s 40%.

Comparative Analysis: Who Pays More?

To determine which platform pays more, you must look at two perspectives:

1. Direct Referrer Earnings

• Winner: Binance (Potentially). If you are a large investor holding over 500 BNB, you can unlock a 40% rate, keeping up to 30% of that commission for yourself (since you must share 10%). This is mathematically higher than KuCoin's standard 20% rate.

1. Ease of User Acquisition

• Winner: KuCoin (Generally). For the average referrer who does not hold 500 BNB, the KuCoin program is easier to maximize. You can offer a highly attractive auto rebate (Backcom KuCoin model) to new users because you have more control over the 20% commission share. This ability to offer high cashback makes your referral link far more competitive and effective for recruiting active traders who are fee-sensitive.

In conclusion, Binance pays the highest potential rate only to its high-net-worth BNB holders. However, KuCoin offers greater flexibility and ease of recruitment for the average user, allowing them to leverage the power of the Backcom KuCoin rebate model to attract the most valuable, high-volume referees, which often translates into more consistent long-term earnings for most referrers.

Author: Darius Elvon