Overview
Crypto exchange affiliate programs are one of the most lucrative recurring income opportunities in digital marketing. Unlike traditional affiliate programs that pay once per conversion, crypto exchange affiliates earn a percentage of every trade their referrals make — for life.
This guide compares the top crypto exchange affiliate programs available in 2026, analyzing commission structures, payment terms, and what makes each program unique.
The Big Comparison Table
Exchange-by-Exchange Breakdown
Binance Affiliate Program
Pros: Largest exchange = highest conversion potential. Daily payouts. Wide range of marketing materials.
Cons: High competition. 50% tier requires extremely high referral volume. Strict compliance requirements.
Related: best crypto cashback programs 2026
OKX Affiliate Program
Pros: 180-day cookie is the industry's longest. Strong Web3 integration attracts tech-savvy users.
Cons: Not available in US. Moderate competition.
Related: OKX fee cashback
Bybit Affiliate Program
Pros: Top 3 derivatives exchange. Attractive to high-volume futures traders.
Cons: Standard cookie duration. Competition from Binance.
Related: Bybit fee rebate
Bitget Affiliate Program
Pros: Copy trading users generate recurring fees. High retention rate.
Cons: Smaller brand recognition than Binance/OKX.
Related: Bitget fee cashback
MEXC Affiliate Program
Pros: Daily payouts. Attracts cost-conscious high-volume traders. 2000+ tokens.
Cons: Lower per-trade commission due to ultra-low fees. Limited regulation.
Related: MEXC fee rebate
cashback.day Affiliate Program
Pros: One referral link covers all exchanges. Users earn cashback AND you earn commissions. Lifetime cookie — no attribution loss. Higher conversion because users benefit directly.
Cons: Lower commission rate than direct exchange programs. Monthly payouts.
How to Maximize Affiliate Earnings
1. Focus on Retention, Not Just Sign-Ups
Since commissions are lifetime, one active trader is worth more than 100 inactive sign-ups. Target users who are already trading or actively interested in crypto.
2. Promote the Value Proposition
Don't just share referral links. Explain what the user gets:
Users are more likely to register when they understand the benefit to themselves.
3. Multi-Exchange Strategy
With cashback.day's affiliate program, users can register on multiple exchanges through one platform. This multiplies your potential earnings from each referral.
4. Create Content
The highest-earning affiliates create valuable content:
5. Consider Sub-Affiliates
Many programs offer sub-affiliate commissions — earning a percentage from affiliates you recruit. This creates a second layer of passive income.
Earnings Projections
Scenario: 50 Active Traders Referred
Key insight:
50 traders averaging just $50K/month each would generate $375/month ($4,500/year) in passive affiliate income. The lifetime nature means this compounds as you add more referrals.
cashback.day vs. Direct Exchange Affiliate: Which to Promote?
Key insight: A 30% commission with a 3x higher conversion rate earns more than a 50% commission with low conversion.