Flipster is a crypto derivatives exchange incubated by Asia's leading quantitative trading firm Presto Labs, founded in 2021 by MIT graduate and former Jump Trading quantitative researcher Yongjin Kim. As of 2026, Flipster supports over 400 sustainable contracts across 177 countries, and in 2024, annual trading volume surged from $12 billion to $117 billion (an increase of 8,561 TP3T) and officially flattened its P&L. Presto Labs' quantitative market-making volume of approximately $3 billion per day directly feeds Flipster with Presto Labs directly provides Flipster with institutional-grade order book depth, giving the platform liquidity support that is unmatched by other emerging exchanges of its size, in addition to low fees.
In terms of rates, Flipster officially introduced a transparent VIP tiering system in August 2025: the Maker rate is maintained at 0% and the Taker rate is between 0.025% and 0.05%. In terms of security, in September 2025, CER.live awarded Flipster FZE a AAA security rating, placing it in the top 13 safest exchanges in the world, alongside Coinbase and Kraken, and completing a PoR audit by Hacken. in February 2026, Flipster FZE was granted in-principle approval by the UAE's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) for a Flipster FZE. In February 2026, Flipster's entity, Flipster FZE, was granted in-principle approval by the UAE's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), marking the second major regulatory milestone.
This article analyzes Flipster's quantitative background, the latest 2026 rate structure, the security authentication mechanism, platform limitations, and user notes to help readers comprehensively assess whether Flipster meets their trading needs!
If you are comparing the major cryptocurrency trading platforms in Hong Kong and around the world, please refer to 2026 Complete Comparison of Crypto Currency Trading Platforms in Hong Kong。
What is Flipster and how did Presto Labs build this exchange?
Flipster's core competency stems from the quantitative background of its founder, Yongjin Kim, who graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he majored in Computer Science and Mathematics, and worked as a quantitative researcher at Jump Trading, one of the world's top quantitative trading firms, before launching Presto Labs in South Korea in 2014, which has grown into Asia's largest quantitative trading organization in crypto-currencies, with daily trading volume of approximately $3 billion. Flipster was incubated by Presto Labs and will be officially launched in 2021, positioning itself as a derivatives exchange with quantitative market making capabilities to support order book depth, while providing much lower than the industry's average fee rates. Flipster is incubated by Presto Labs and will launch in 2021, positioning itself as a derivatives exchange with quantitative market making capabilities to support order book depth, while offering significantly lower than industry average rates.
Existing Scale of Flipster
By 2026, Flipster supported over 400 sustainable contracts and spot pairs across 177 countries, with active traders on the platform growing by 5,65% since its inception. In FY2024, Flipster's annual trading volume surged from US$12 billion to US$117 billion, and the platform's assets grew from US$1.2 million to US$78 million, marking the completion of the platform's strategic transition from "subsidized early growth" to a "sustainable business model". Flipster's assets grew from US$1.2 million to US$78 million, officially reaching a two-way tie, marking the completion of the platform's strategic transition from "subsidized early growth" to a "sustainable business model".
What are the core strengths of Flipster?
Organizational Order Book Depth
Flipster's most structural differentiator is its Presto Labs market making capability. By continuously placing orders on both sides of the order book, market makers are able to tighten bid-ask spreads and make trades more real-time. 3 billion USD of daily quantitative market making volume from Presto Labs is directly injected into the Flipster platform, resulting in an order book depth that exceeds that of comparable emerging exchanges, and slippage performance in mainstream currencies that is close to that of leading platforms such as Binance and Bybit. For larger users, execution quality is often the key factor in determining actual costs, rather than purely a rate figure.
Zero Maker Rate and Competitive Taker Rate
Flipster's Maker rate is 0% (for all VIP levels), and the Taker rate ranges from 0.025% to 0.05% depending on the VIP level. In comparison, Binance futures Maker rate is 0.02%, Bybit is 0.01%, and Flipster's Maker 0% is particularly advantageous. For traders who are accustomed to placing limit orders, the savings in Maker cost per trade add up, especially for high-frequency traders.
Zero Spread Trading
Flipster introduces Zero Spread trading in August 2025, initially supporting 20 major sustainable pairs such as BTC, ETH, XRP, SOL, etc. with a spread of 0.00%. Zero Spread combined with the 0% Maker rate allows traders accustomed to using Limit Orders to bring their actual trading costs close to zero, an important feature that sets Flipster apart from its major competitors. This is an important feature that sets Flipster apart from its competitors and provides direct cost savings to high frequency traders and users of arbitrage strategies.
Copy Trading
Flipster provides a Copy Trading feature that allows users to select a "Master Trader" on the platform and automatically copy his/her real-time positions and trading actions. Whenever a Master Trader opens or closes a position, the same action is executed simultaneously in the user's account. This feature lowers the technical threshold for derivatives trading, allowing users with no technical analysis experience to participate in the market by following orders, and Master Traders can receive a share of the revenue from their followers.
Flipster Earn revenue products
Flipster Earn supports USDT, BTC, ETH and other mainstream assets, adopts flexible deposit mode, no lock-up period, and rewards are paid out in USDT daily. 2026 USDT base annualized yield is 15% APR, VIP users can reach 22% APR; BTC and ETH base yield is 5% APR, VIP users can add 1%. Flipster Earn assets can be used as margin for derivatives transactions to enhance overall capital utilization efficiency.
If you're comparing multiple platforms for stable currency collection options, you can also check out the《2026 New DeFi Beginner's Guide｜Teaching You to Earn Passive Income with Stable Coins》。
How to open an account with Flipster - 4 steps to KYC verification
Step 1: ClickRegistration PortalAfter that, click [Sign up now] to enter the registration page;Alternatively, select [Get started with email] to enter your email address and password, or use your Google / Apple account to quickly register and confirm the terms and conditions to complete the registration.
Step 2: After completing the puzzle security verification, you have successfully created an account, download the Flipster App from the App Store or Google Play and log in.
Step 3: In the Flipster App, tap on the Assets page in the lower right hand corner to log in to your account.
Step 4: Click [Verify now], then click [Verify] to start Level2 KYC authentication, fill in your personal information and upload your selfie and document photos (ID card, passport or driver's license).
Step 5:According to the author's experience.Official AuditSuccessful in about 10 minutesPass.
How can I deposit and withdraw funds from Flipster?
deposit
Step 1: Go to the Flipster App's [Assets] page, click [Deposit Crypto], and select the currency (e.g. USDT) and the chain (network) you want to deposit.
Step 2: Copy the USDT deposit address provided by Flipster and paste it into the wallet or exchange you want to withdraw from, making sure to use the same chain (network) to avoid transfer errors.
Step 3: After the transfer is completed, Flipster will send you a notification that the funds have been successfully deposited.
withdraw money
Step 1: Go to the Flipster App's [Assets] page and click [Withdrawal].
Step 2:The system will ask you to complete the security verification first, receive the 2FA email notification from Email, and complete the verification on Google Authenticator, then return to the Flipster App and click [Proceed] to complete the dual authentication binding.
Step 3:Select the currency you want to withdraw and the chain (network) you want to use.
How is the Flipster 2026 handling fee calculated?
Background of the Rate Increase
Prior to August 4, 2025, Flipster attracted early adopters with "Zero Fee" as its core selling point. As the platform's trading volume grew steadily, Flipster officially introduced a transparent VIP tiering system in August 2025, replacing subsidies with a sustainable rate model, and at the same time incentivizing high-frequency and large position traders to stay on for the long term through VIP tiering. the Maker rate was maintained at 0% in order to retain the attraction of pending orders, while the Taker rate was introduced to differentiate pricing, with the lowest 0.025% Taker rate available to high-level VIP users. Taker rates are differentiated, with high VIP users enjoying a minimum Taker rate of 0.025%.
Existing rate structure
The VIP level is automatically determined by 30-day trading volume or 24-hour average asset balance, and is divided into seven levels (Basic to VIP6). Accounts with 50,000 USDT or more in assets will be automatically promoted to VIP level without the need to apply.
Comparison of rates with major competitors
From a rate perspective, Flipster Maker 0% clearly outperforms Binance (0.02%) and Bybit (0.01%), which is most beneficial for traders accustomed to placing orders at limit prices.Taker's rate base tier is on par with Binance's, and outperforms Bybit's, while the high VIP tier at 0.025% leads the pack. Taker rates are on par with Binance and better than Bybit, while the high VIP tier at 0.025% is ahead of Binance and Bybit's equivalent tiers.
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Is Flipster Safe? A Complete Look at AAA Ratings to PoR Audits
In September 2025, CER.live, the exchange's cybersecurity rating platform, upgraded Flipster's rating from AA to AAA, with an overall security score of 90%, placing it in the top 13 safest exchanges in the world, alongside Coinbase and Kraken.
CER.live's scoring framework covers server security, user protection mechanisms, penetration test results, and vulnerability reward programs, and Flipster received perfect scores in all four dimensions. The AAA rating is a rare achievement for an emerging exchange, reflecting that the platform has invested in its security framework to the top level of the industry.
In August 2025, Flipster completed a Proof of Reserves (PoR) audit performed by blockchain security firm Hacken, confirming that all user deposits are fully backed at a 1:1 ratio. The results of the audit include an independent verification mechanism on the chain, which allows any user to verify that their deposits are fully backed at a 1:1 ratio. Flipster Official PoR PageFlipster also maintains monthly transparency by regularly updating hot wallet addresses and reserve data.
Flipster currently holds a Polish Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license and was granted in-principle approval by the UAE's Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) on February 12, 2026 through its entity Flipster FZE, with the initial authorized activity being spot trading. It is important to note that Flipster does not hold a Hong Kong SFC Virtual Asset Trading Platform (VATP) license, and Hong Kong users' assets on Flipster are not protected by the Hong Kong regulatory framework, and there are no Hong Kong regulatory channels through which they can complain about issues with the platform.
What are the limitations of Flipster? 4 things you need to know before using Flipster
Not holding Hong Kong SFC license
Flipster holds a Poland VASP license and a UAE VARA in-principle approval, but has not applied for a VATP license from the Hong Kong SFC. This means that the assets of Hong Kong users on the platform are not protected by the SFC's regulatory framework, and in the event of problems with the platform, there is no way to seek redress through Hong Kong's regulatory channels. Users who have strong compliance needs should choose OSL Exchange or other locally licensed platforms.
No HKD Direct Deposit and Withdrawal
Flipster does not offer Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) direct deposit/withdrawal service, deposits must be made in cryptocurrency (e.g. USDT).
Liquidity scale still below headline exchanges
Despite Flipster's competitiveness in terms of rates and security, its overall liquidity scale is still far below that of Binance and Bybit. with a March 2026 futures market share of 40% and a monthly trading volume of approximately $1.4 trillion, Binance's depth is difficult to match. Users with larger transaction sizes may experience higher slippage on Flipster when trading small-cap token derivatives, where Binance or Bybit's execution quality is more assured.Flipster's depth advantage is mainly realized in the perpetual contracts of mainstream currencies such as BTC, ETH, and so on.
Relatively limited choice of currencies
Flipster's core business is derivatives on sustainable contracts, and the choice of currencies for spot trading is relatively limited, much less than Binance (over 600 currencies) and Bybit (over 500 currencies). Flipster's attractiveness is limited if the main trading demand is for long term cash positions or diversified currency investments; if the trading demand focuses on derivatives in mainstream currencies, Flipster's advantage in terms of fees and depth can be fully realized.
Flipster Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flipster's Presto Labs background credible?
Presto Labs is a quantitative trading organization founded in South Korea in 2014, with an average daily trading volume of approximately $3 billion, making it one of the largest crypto quantitative market makers in Asia. Founded by Yongjin Kim, who holds a dual degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from MIT and was previously a quantitative researcher at Jump Trading, Presto Labs' quantitative market-making capabilities, along with its ability to support Flipster's order book liquidity, is a core structural advantage of the platform that differentiates it from other emerging exchanges.
Does Flipster still have a 0% service fee?
Effective August 4, 2025, Flipster will introduce a tiered VIP rate system. The Maker rate will remain at 0% (for all levels) and the Taker rate will be between 0.025% and 0.05%, depending on the VIP level. For traders who are accustomed to limit orders, Maker 0% means that the actual cost is close to zero; users who actively take orders will have to pay the Taker rate according to their VIP level.
Is Flipster Earn's yield reliable?
Flipster Earn generates revenue from platform borrowing and liquidity management, with a non-fixed, principal protected rate and APRs that may be adjusted in line with market conditions. 2026 USDT base annualized is 15% APR, a competitive level for a CEX Earn product. The unlocked position design means users can withdraw at any time, and the core risk is platform security (Flipster has completed a Hacken PoR audit and CER.live AAA rating) rather than the risk of locking the product itself. Deposits on a single platform are recommended to be no more than 30% of the total value of the crypto assets.
Disclaimer
The content of this article is for reference only, investors should exercise independent judgment, invest prudently and at their own risk, this article does not provide or attempt to persuade the audience to do trading or investment basis, the content is for sharing purposes only, and should not be regarded as investment advice.It does not represent the views and position of Monsterblockhk.All information and opinions are current as of the date of the judgment. In addition, if a judgment is rendered on aIn this siteAny content related to virtual asset trading platforms that have not yet obtained a license to operate virtual asset trading platforms in Hong Kong, including but not limited to text introductions, pictures, offers, events, etc., are only available to users outside the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
According to the Hong Kong Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Ordinance 2022, after June 1, 2023, all centralized virtual asset trading platforms operating in Hong Kong or actively promoting their services to Hong Kong investors will be licensed and regulated by the SFC, and any related unlicensed activities will be a criminal offence. For more information and details of the legislation, users may refer to the SFC website.