Is the exchange quietly transforming into a financial platform? The shift from trading fees to membership benefits

Question

【Crypto World】Recently, I noticed an interesting phenomenon. Users of a leading exchange have discovered that the platform is quietly adjusting its business logic—no longer relying solely on trading fees, but instead launching an annual membership system.

How does this model work? Users pay an annual fee to become members and receive benefits such as Bitcoin cashback and various financial privileges. It sounds quite familiar—essentially copying Amazon Prime’s approach—by binding users through continuous membership fees and offering more value-added services within the membership system.

Why do this? From the exchange’s perspective, relying solely on trading fees makes revenue vulnerable to market fluctuations and unstable. But if users become “paid members,” it creates a stable annual income stream. Additionally, by locking in user assets and offering various financial products, the platform can not only enhance user stickiness but also gradually upgrade from a pure trading venue to a comprehensive financial platform.

This shift reflects the industry’s thinking: how should exchanges exist in the future? Purely matching trades is no longer enough. Users need more services, and platforms need more revenue sources. Membership systems, cashback, financial products… these have become new competitive points.

AirdropLicker · Accepted Answer

Another new trick to cut leeks, annual membership is so boring.

CantAffordPancake · Answer

They're starting to harvest the chives again, just a different approach.

DeadTrades_Walking · Answer

Still trying to milk users for free, huh? This annual membership system really aims to bind users long-term.

FloorSweeper · Answer

Basically, it's just a fancy way of saying "harvesting the leek," but in the end, we just end up paying.

MetaDreamer · Answer

They're starting to cut users again; this annual fee model is really brilliant.

DAOdreamer · Answer

There's really a new trick to harvest the little guys again.

OnChain_Detective · Answer

wait hold up, pattern analysis suggests this membership model screams centralized revenue lock-in... let me pull the data here. they're literally bundling users into recurring payment schemes now? not financial advice but this looks like classic platform dependency engineering, ngl

LayerZeroHero · Answer

It's the same old trick of cutting leeks, just with a different disguise.

BlockchainArchaeologist · Answer

Starting to pull the same old tricks again, annual membership? Really thinking of yourself as a financial platform.

MetaverseLandlord · Answer

Starting a new way to harvest profits again, basically just trapping your coins to make you willingly spend money.