In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best first trades to make with your signup bonus, whether you’re trying to complete a volume requirement, earn fee rebates, or position yourself for upcoming airdrops.
Trade Wise, founded by Jonathan — a crypto trader with over 15 years of verified experience — is your trusted source for real crypto bonuses. We rigorously verify and review all exchange offers so you can trade with confidence.
Why Your First Trade Matters With A Signup Bonus
Your first trade on a new exchange isn’t just a milestone—it’s often the key to unlocking your signup bonus. Most exchanges tie their bonuses to specific conditions such as minimum trade volume, deposit size, or completing a certain number of transactions. Making the right first move helps you:
- Meet bonus requirements without incurring unnecessary risk
- Reduce costs through fee-friendly trading pairs
- Position your account for future perks like airdrops or loyalty rewards
If you go in without a plan, you may miss out on most of the value that drew you in to begin with.
Low-Fee Trading Pairs To Start With
Low-fee trading pairs are ideal for beginners trying to maximize a bonus. Exchanges like Binance, KuCoin, and MEXC offer reduced fees when trading major assets like BTC, ETH, and USDT—especially if you pay fees using the platform’s native token (e.g., BNB on Binance, KCS on KuCoin).
Stable, high-liquidity pairs such as BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, or SOL/USDC help meet trading requirements without sudden price swings. This is especially useful if your bonus is tied to trading volume rather than profit.
MEXC is a great example: with our verified MEXC referral code, you can claim exclusive bonuses and lower fees, making it a perfect launchpad for your first trades.
Smart Stablecoin Trades For Lower Risk
If you want to fulfill trading volume requirements while limiting exposure to price volatility, stablecoin pairs are a smart starting point. Pairs like USDT/USDC or BUSD/USDT can help you:
- Minimize market risk
- Maintain the value of your holdings
- Quickly hit the required volume to unlock your bonus
This is particularly useful on crypto exchanges like Pionex, which offer built-in trading bots. Their grid bot, for example, can be configured to operate within tight ranges using stablecoins, letting you automate your first few trades with very low risk.
Qualify For Airdrops With Your First Trade
Airdrop eligibility often depends on more than just holding tokens—it’s about activity. Making your first trade early on a new exchange can boost your chances of receiving airdrops from Layer 2 networks or DeFi protocols. For instance:
- Interacting with zkSync or Arbitrum DEXs
- Trading certain tokens shortly after listing
- Participating in new-user campaigns
Exchanges like OKX, KuCoin, and Bitget frequently run campaigns where your first trades count toward future airdrops or mystery boxes. When you use our Bitget referral code, you get access to one of the most generous reward programs in the industry.
Deposit Bonuses Vs Trading Bonuses – Which Comes First?
Exchanges offer two main types of bonuses:
- Deposit bonuses: You earn a reward after funding your account.
- Trading bonuses: You unlock rewards by completing trades.
Some platforms offer both. PrimeXBT is a good example—our verified referral code gives you a bonus when you deposit and start trading. We’ve broken down how to minimize fees on that platform in our guide to PrimeXBT trading fees.
We recommend prioritizing trading bonuses first when available, especially if you’re using low-fee or stablecoin pairs. That way, you can test the waters and build toward the deposit threshold with less capital at risk.
Maximizing Value With Multi-Exchange Bonus Stacking
Savvy traders often stack bonuses across multiple platforms. Here’s how to do it effectively:
- Use a verified referral link for each exchange you sign up to (check our full list on Trade Wise)
- Start with platforms that offer trading bonuses without a large deposit
- Move on to deposit-based bonuses after you’re comfortable with the trading interface
- Use stablecoin or low-volatility pairs to meet volume conditions across platforms
- Track each bonus requirement and progress to avoid expiry
You can explore a full strategy in our guide on how to stack crypto sign-up bonuses for maximum benefit.
Our Recommended First Trades By Exchange
We’ve reviewed dozens of platforms, and here’s what we recommend if you want the highest-value first trades:
- MEXC: Use USDT/USDC to meet volume and claim up to $100 in rewards with low fees
- PrimeXBT: Start with a small position using leverage on BTC/USD, then use copy trading to build volume safely (learn more)
- Pionex: Deploy a grid bot using stablecoin pairs and earn passively while qualifying for a welcome bonus
- Bitget: First trades on BTC/USDT or ETH/USDT also count toward bonus levels and copy-trade rebates
Each of these exchanges has a detailed breakdown on Trade Wise with live referral codes and updated terms.
Trade Wise’s Checklist Before Making Your First Trade
Before placing your first trade, run through this quick checklist to avoid wasting your signup bonus opportunity:
- Choose a reputable exchange using a verified referral code
- Understand the exact bonus conditions (volume, deposit, etc.)
- Start with stablecoin or high-liquidity pairs to control risk
- Monitor bonus progress and timeframes
- Keep an eye out for hidden benefits like airdrop eligibility
Following these steps can help you unlock the full value of your bonus while building smart trading habits from the start.
Final Thoughts – Make Your Bonus Work Smarter, Not Harder
Signup bonuses can be an excellent entry point into crypto trading, but only if you approach them strategically. Your first trade sets the tone—not just for unlocking rewards, but for establishing safe, cost-effective habits that last.
Whether you’re drawn to the automation of Pionex, the leverage of PrimeXBT, or the airdrop potential of Bitget, Trade Wise is here to guide you. For more tools, strategies, and updated bonus offers, explore our full crypto referral code library or learn how to maximize your earnings with minimal risk.
FAQs
What’s the safest way to use a crypto signup bonus?
Stick to stablecoin pairs and low-fee trades to meet the criteria without exposing your funds to market volatility.
Can I lose my signup bonus if my first trade goes wrong?
Yes, if you violate terms like not completing KYC or missing the trade window, you might lose the bonus—even if the trade itself was successful.
Which exchange gives the easiest bonus for a first trade?
Pionex and MEXC both offer user-friendly bonus paths that don’t require high-volume or leveraged trading.
Are stablecoins a good way to meet trading volume requirements?
Absolutely. Stablecoins let you trade large volumes without price swings, making them ideal for bonus-related trades.
Can I use multiple signup bonuses at once?
Yes. You can register with several exchanges using Trade Wise referral codes and unlock bonuses one after another.
This post is not financial advice.
