Why I Do Not Start with Binance, but Keep an Account
I have been trading crypto since 2018, and Binance was the first major exchange I encountered. I have had an account there since 2018 and still use it — but not as my primary one. The reason is simple: Binance's welcome bonus is the most modest among top exchanges, only up to 100 USDT versus 30,000 on Bybit or 10,000 on OKX. On the other hand, the BNB ecosystem (Launchpad, fee discount, Earn) is one of the largest in the market. These are different types of value, and below I break down honestly where each applies.
Register with the Referral Discount
The affiliate link gives a 20% fee discount — permanent, not just for the first month.
Welcome Bonus up to 100 USDT: Structure
Unlike Bybit or OKX, Binance does not hide a modest bonus behind big headline numbers. The structure is clear:
| Stage | Condition | Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Registration + KYC | — | up to 10 USDT |
| First deposit | from $50 | 10 USDT |
| First deposit | from $200 | 20 USDT |
| First deposit | from $1,000 | up to 40 USDT |
| First trade | within 7 days | 10–30 USDT |
| Extra tasks | Earn, card etc. | up to 20 USDT |
Realistically at $200–500 deposit: $40–70 USDT in coupons. Honestly — less than Bybit or Bitget at the same deposit.
The BNB Ecosystem: Binance's Real Strength
The welcome bonus is not the main reason to stay on Binance. The main reason is the BNB token:
25% Fee Discount
Enable fee payment in BNB → base spot fee 0.1% becomes 0.075%. At $5,000/month volume that is $1.25 saved. At $50,000/month — $12.5/month or $150/year.
Launchpad and Launchpool
Holding BNB unlocks access to new project IEOs (Launchpad) and free new-token farming (Launchpool). In my experience, individual Launchpad projects delivered 200–400% on listing day — but that is a lottery, not a guarantee.
BNB Vault
Automatically distributes BNB across Earn, Launchpool and other products — passive income without manual management.
Step-by-Step: Welcome Bonus and BNB Discount
Step 1. Register
Binance.com → «Sign Up». The referral code in the link gives a permanent 20% discount.
Step 2. KYC
Passport or national ID + selfie. 10 minutes to 24 hours.
Step 3. Deposit and first trade
Deposit $50–200 → complete a trade within 7 days. This covers most of the welcome bonus.
Step 4. Buy a small amount of BNB
«Settings» → «Fee Payment» → enable BNB. Even a small BNB balance gives the 25% discount automatically.
Binance vs Bybit: Honest Comparison
| Criteria | Binance | Bybit |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | up to 100 USDT | up to 30,000 USDT |
| Realistic at $300 | ~$40–70 | ~$40–60 |
| Spot fee (base) | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| With token discount | 0.075% (BNB) | 0.1% |
| Launchpad/IEO | ✓ Largest | available |
| Copy trading | limited | ✓ Leader |
| P2P UAH | ✓ | ✓ |
The welcome bonus is essentially equal in real money at $300. The long-term difference is the BNB ecosystem being the largest on the market, while Bybit is more convenient for P2P and copy trading.
Honest Assessment: Who Binance Suits
Binance is not my first recommendation for a new user in 2026 — mainly because my core workflow (P2P + copy trading) is more convenient on Bybit and Bitget, where I concentrate my activity. But Binance is worth considering if:
- Launchpad/Launchpool participation interests you — Binance is unmatched in project count here
- You plan to hold BNB as part of your portfolio — the fee discount pays off over time
- You need the largest global liquidity for big orders
For a first experience, UAH P2P and copy trading — start with Bybit or Bitget, and keep Binance as a second account for the BNB ecosystem.
How to Get Started
- Register via affiliate link → KYC.
- Deposit $50–200 → first trade within 7 days.
- Buy a small amount of BNB → enable the 25% fee discount.
- Optionally explore Launchpad/Launchpool.
Related: Bybit bonus, Bitget bonus, my exchange bonus ranking 2026.
Questions? [email protected] — I reply personally.