Introduction

Cryptocurrencies trade 24/7 on thousands of exchanges with minimal oversight. Traditional transaction-cost assumptions (5 bps for equities) fail spectacularly. Crypto requires different cost models: exchange fees (0.05-0.1%), variable spreads (10-100 bps), slippage on thin books.

Crypto vs Traditional Assets

Crypto Costs

Exchange fee: 0.05-0.1%. Bid-ask spread: 1-10 bps for major pairs, 100+ bps for small alts. Slippage: depends on order size and exchange liquidity. A $1M order might move the market 50 bps. Total costs: 100-200 bps for a round trip.

Equities Costs

Commission: 0-1 bp (many brokers now zero). Bid-ask: 0.5-2 bps (liquid). Market impact: 1-5 bps. Total: 2-8 bps typically.

Crypto costs 15-25× higher. Strategies viable in equities become unprofitable in crypto. Model costs realistically or backtest results are fantasy.

Conclusion

Transaction-cost realism separates viable crypto strategies from spurious backtests. Model exchange fees, estimate slippage empirically, account for hidden costs (rebates, front-running). Aggressive cost models expose strategies that don't survive friction.