Next week, Matchbook will dramatically cut commissions by eliminating our 2% net-win commission system and shifting to a much simpler volume-based one. Matchbook won't earn as much per trade, but we believe this change will drive the next phase of growth on the exchange.
HOW IT WORKS
The new system is based on bet size, regardless of whether your trade wins or loses. If you accept an offer, the fee is 1.0%. If you post an offer that is accepted, not only is there no fee, but Matchbook will pay you 0.2%. As demonstrated lately on many financial exchanges, liquidity explodes when people are paid to make offers.
HOW WE CALCULATE THE RATE
Commission rates of 1.0% or -0.2% will be applied to the lesser of your "bet" or "to win" amount. So regardless of whether you bet $1,000 to win $5,000, or $5,000 to win $1,000, your bet size is treated as only $1,000. In both cases, you pay $10 in commissions if you accept an offer, or you are paid $2 if your offer is accepted.
WHO THIS HELPS
Pretty much everyone. To start with, 1% on volume costs less than 2% net-win because of the generous way we define your bet size (see above). If you post offers, the savings are obviously far greater. And with everyone incentivized to post offers, we expect to see much tighter, deeper markets across the board.
WHO THIS HURTS
Because we charge based on volume instead of net win, scalpers will need to pay more to accept offers on both sides of the same market. Of course, they can still trade across markets at far lower cost than before by taking advantage of our offer-side subsidy.
FUTURES MARKETS AND BASEBALL
Any long-term markets currently underway will remain on the old net-win system until expiry. All new long-term markets will be volume-based as soon as they are loaded. Baseball will continue to be offered at a discount.
HOW IT WORKS
The new system is based on bet size, regardless of whether your trade wins or loses. If you accept an offer, the fee is 1.0%. If you post an offer that is accepted, not only is there no fee, but Matchbook will pay you 0.2%. As demonstrated lately on many financial exchanges, liquidity explodes when people are paid to make offers.
HOW WE CALCULATE THE RATE
Commission rates of 1.0% or -0.2% will be applied to the lesser of your "bet" or "to win" amount. So regardless of whether you bet $1,000 to win $5,000, or $5,000 to win $1,000, your bet size is treated as only $1,000. In both cases, you pay $10 in commissions if you accept an offer, or you are paid $2 if your offer is accepted.
WHO THIS HELPS
Pretty much everyone. To start with, 1% on volume costs less than 2% net-win because of the generous way we define your bet size (see above). If you post offers, the savings are obviously far greater. And with everyone incentivized to post offers, we expect to see much tighter, deeper markets across the board.
WHO THIS HURTS
Because we charge based on volume instead of net win, scalpers will need to pay more to accept offers on both sides of the same market. Of course, they can still trade across markets at far lower cost than before by taking advantage of our offer-side subsidy.
FUTURES MARKETS AND BASEBALL
Any long-term markets currently underway will remain on the old net-win system until expiry. All new long-term markets will be volume-based as soon as they are loaded. Baseball will continue to be offered at a discount.
