LEO Fee Savings Calculator
Calculate Your LEO Savings
How much can you save on Bitfinex trading fees by holding LEO tokens?
What is UNUS SED LEO (LEO)?
UNUS SED LEO is a utility token created by iFinex Inc., the company behind the cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex. It was launched on May 21, 2019, not as a speculative investment, but to help Bitfinex recover from the financial fallout of the 2016 hack, where $850 million in customer funds were lost and later seized by U.S. authorities.
Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum, LEO doesn’t aim to be a decentralized currency. Instead, it’s built to serve one purpose: to give Bitfinex users real, measurable benefits in exchange for holding the token. Think of it like a membership card that cuts your trading fees, reduces your borrowing costs, and rewards you for bringing others to the platform.
How does LEO work?
LEO runs on two blockchains at once - Ethereum and EOS. About 64% of the total supply (595 million tokens) exists as an ERC-20 token on Ethereum, making it compatible with wallets like MetaMask. The other 36% (330 million tokens) lives on the EOS blockchain, which is faster and cheaper for transfers. This dual-chain setup gives flexibility but also adds complexity. If you send LEO to the wrong chain, you could lose your tokens permanently.
Bitfinex controls the entire system. It doesn’t rely on third-party cloud services. Instead, it runs its own data centers to ensure uptime and security. Since its launch, Bitfinex has maintained a 99.99% uptime record - a rare feat in crypto.
Why do people hold LEO?
Most people hold LEO for one reason: savings. The token gives you direct discounts on Bitfinex trading fees based on how much you own:
- 100-500 LEO: 15% discount on trading fees
- 501-2,000 LEO: 20% discount
- 2,001+ LEO: 25% discount
If you trade $10,000 a month, a 25% fee discount saves you $250. Over a year, that’s $3,000 in savings - more than enough to cover the cost of buying 2,000 LEO at $8.76 each.
LEO also reduces funding rates on margin trades and boosts referral bonuses. Active traders who make 20+ trades per month report 22% higher net profits after accounting for LEO discounts, according to Bitfinex’s internal data.
The deflationary burn mechanism
What makes LEO stand out from other exchange tokens like Binance Coin (BNB) or OKB is its legally binding buyback and burn system.
Every month, Bitfinex takes 27% of its net profits and uses that money to buy LEO tokens from the open market - then burns them permanently. This reduces the total supply. If profits aren’t enough to hit the 27% target, Bitfinex must cover the difference using its core business revenue over a four-year window.
As of Q3 2023, over 17.5 million LEO tokens have been burned - about 1.89% of the original supply. The largest single burn happened in April 2021, when 1.2 million tokens worth $12.5 million were destroyed in one go.
This isn’t just marketing. It’s a contractual obligation. That’s why analysts at Messari called LEO’s burn rate “significantly more aggressive than the industry average of 15-20%.”
How does LEO compare to other exchange tokens?
| Feature | LEO | BNB (Binance Coin) | OKB (OKX Token) | HT (Huobi Token) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary use case | Bitfinex exchange discounts | Exchange fees, payments, DeFi, travel | OKX exchange discounts | HTX exchange discounts |
| Fee discount structure | Tiered (15%-25%) | Flat 10%-20% | Flat 10%-20% | Flat 20% |
| Buyback & burn | Legally binding, 27% monthly profit | Discretionary, ~15% quarterly | Discretionary, no fixed % | Discretionary, no fixed % |
| Chain support | Ethereum + EOS (dual-chain) | Binance Chain + BSC | OKC + Ethereum | HECO + Ethereum |
| Utility outside exchange | ~2% (Bitfinex Pay) | ~60% | ~10% | ~5% |
LEO wins on transparency and predictability. BNB has far more real-world use cases - you can pay for flights, hotels, and even buy crypto with it. But LEO’s burn mechanism is the most enforceable in the space. OKB and HT have no legal commitment to burn tokens, making their value more speculative.
Who should hold LEO?
LEO isn’t for everyone. If you trade infrequently or use other exchanges like Coinbase or Kraken, LEO gives you zero benefit. You’re just holding an asset tied to a platform you don’t use.
It’s ideal for active traders on Bitfinex who make dozens of trades a month. For them, LEO isn’t an investment - it’s a cost-saving tool. One Reddit user reported saving $1,850 in trading fees over a year by holding 1,200 LEO.
But if you’re a casual investor or just buying LEO because it’s “cheap,” you’re taking a big risk. Bitfinex’s market share has dropped from 3rd to 15th largest exchange since 2019. If Bitfinex loses more users, demand for LEO drops - and so does its price.
What are the risks?
LEO’s biggest weakness is its total dependence on Bitfinex. 98% of its utility is locked inside Bitfinex’s ecosystem. That’s far more concentrated than BNB, which has real-world partnerships with Uber, Airbnb, and others.
There’s also technical risk. Many users have lost money by sending LEO to the wrong chain. A Trustpilot review from August 2023 describes a $350 loss after sending EOS-based LEO to a MetaMask wallet - which only supports Ethereum. Mistakes like this are common among new users.
Regulatory risk is real too. The SEC issued a Wells Notice to iFinex in 2022 over concerns LEO might be an unregistered security. The case was settled in February 2023 with an $18.5 million fine, but regulators are still watching. Any future enforcement action could hurt the token’s value.
What’s next for LEO?
Bitfinex has a roadmap for 2024. The biggest update is the planned launch of a decentralized exchange (DEX) in Q2 2024. If LEO is integrated there, it could become more useful beyond just spot trading.
Another potential move is entering the online gambling market. Bitfinex is exploring partnerships with online casinos to let users pay with LEO and earn 5-10% cashback. That’s a $93 billion industry - but also a high-risk, heavily regulated one.
Analysts are split. VanEck predicts 8-12% annual growth through 2026 based on buybacks. Bernstein Research warns of 20-30% downside if Bitfinex keeps losing market share. CoinDesk’s September 2023 survey found 65% of professional analysts believe LEO has a 70% or higher chance of surviving five years - mostly because of its burn mechanism.
How to get started with LEO
If you’re on Bitfinex and trade regularly, here’s how to use LEO:
- Create a Bitfinex account (if you don’t have one)
- Buy LEO on Bitfinex, Gate.io, or another supported exchange
- Transfer it to a wallet that supports the correct chain - MetaMask for Ethereum LEO, Scatter for EOS LEO
- Hold it in your Bitfinex wallet to unlock fee discounts automatically
Avoid sending LEO between wallets unless you’re certain of the chain. Always double-check before confirming a transaction. Mistakes here are irreversible.
Final thoughts
LEO isn’t a get-rich-quick crypto. It’s a utility token designed for active Bitfinex traders who want to cut costs. Its strength is its transparent, legally binding burn system - something no other exchange token can match. But its weakness is its narrow use case. If you don’t trade on Bitfinex, LEO has no value to you.
For the right user - someone who trades frequently and trusts Bitfinex’s infrastructure - LEO makes sense. For everyone else, it’s just another crypto asset with no clear edge.
Adrian Bailey
November 10, 2025 AT 21:52Man, I just got into LEO last month after reading this guide. Honestly didn’t think it’d be worth it since I’m not a high-frequency trader, but I’ve been doing 15-20 trades a week and the 20% fee cut already saved me like $180. That’s like free coffee for a month. Still nervous about the EOS/Ethereum thing though - almost sent some to my MetaMask by accident last week. Scary stuff.
Ashley Mona
November 12, 2025 AT 10:13Same here! I’ve been holding LEO since 2021 and never sold. The burns are legit - I check the Bitfinex blog every month like it’s a religious ritual. And honestly? It’s the only exchange token that doesn’t feel like a pyramid scheme. BNB’s everywhere, but LEO? It’s like the quiet kid in class who actually does the homework.
Also, the 27% burn is *legally binding*? That’s wild. I’ve seen so many tokens promise ‘burns’ and then ghost. LEO’s the real deal.
tom west
November 13, 2025 AT 16:04Let’s be real - this is just a thinly veiled security disguised as a utility token. The SEC already flagged it. The fact that they paid an $18.5M fine and didn’t admit guilt means they’re still dancing on the edge. And that ‘legally binding’ burn? It’s only binding if Bitfinex stays solvent. Which, given their market share has cratered from #3 to #15, is a big if.
Also, dual-chain? That’s not flexibility, it’s a user-experience nightmare. One wrong click and your life savings vanish. This isn’t innovation - it’s gambling with extra steps.
And don’t even get me started on the ‘22% higher net profits’ claim. That’s internal data from the same company that lost $850M. Trust me, I’ve audited worse.
Rachel Everson
November 14, 2025 AT 09:25Hey, if you’re trading on Bitfinex regularly, LEO is basically a no-brainer. I’m not a pro, just someone who does 5-10 trades a week, and I hold 800 LEO. The 20% discount adds up fast - I’m saving like $100/month. It’s not an investment, it’s a subscription. Like Netflix, but for trading fees.
And yes, the chain thing is confusing. I learned the hard way too - sent EOS LEO to my wallet once. Lost $75. Never again. Always double-check the chain. Use Bitfinex’s built-in wallet if you’re unsure.
Also, the burn mechanism? Honestly, I don’t care if it’s ‘legally binding’ - I care that it’s happening. Tokens that promise burns and then don’t do it? I avoid them. LEO’s actually doing it. That’s rare.
Don’t buy it because you think it’ll moon. Buy it because you trade on Bitfinex and want to save money. Simple.
Johanna Lesmayoux lamare
November 14, 2025 AT 16:12I used to trade on Binance, switched to Bitfinex for the lower fees, bought LEO, and haven’t looked back. The 25% discount on my biggest trades? Game changer.
dhirendra pratap singh
November 14, 2025 AT 20:29LEO is literally the only crypto that doesn’t feel like a scam. 😭 I cried when I saw the burn stats. Someone’s finally doing it right. BNB? Meh. OKB? Pfft. LEO? This is what crypto should be - transparency, accountability, real value. The rest are just vaporware with fancy websites.
Also, the SEC fine? Big whoop. They’re still here. Still burning. Still serving. That’s more than I can say for 90% of these projects.
Edward Phuakwatana
November 14, 2025 AT 21:45What’s fascinating about LEO isn’t the fee discount - it’s the economic architecture. The 27% burn is a deflationary feedback loop tied directly to operational profitability, not speculative hype. That’s a novel mechanism in the exchange-token space. Most tokens rely on marketing, but LEO’s value accrual is algorithmically anchored to the exchange’s health - a form of intrinsic utility.
And the dual-chain design? It’s not a flaw, it’s a bridge. It allows for cross-chain liquidity arbitrage and reduces congestion. EOS handles fast, cheap transfers; Ethereum ensures composability with DeFi. This isn’t lazy engineering - it’s strategic infrastructure.
Yes, Bitfinex’s market share has declined. But LEO’s burn rate is accelerating. That’s the inverse of what you’d expect if the platform were dying. It’s a hedge - users are locking in savings before the exchange collapses. Smart.
And the regulatory risk? Valid. But the fact that they settled for $18.5M instead of fighting? That’s maturity. They’re not in denial. They’re adapting.
LEO isn’t for the FOMO crowd. It’s for the rational, long-term operator who understands that utility > speculation. If you’re not trading on Bitfinex? You’re not the target user. Stop pretending you are.
Arthur Coddington
November 15, 2025 AT 17:37So… you’re telling me I should pay money to save money on a platform that almost went bankrupt? And I’m supposed to trust a company that lost $850M and still runs its own data centers like it’s 2012? 🤔
I mean, I respect the burn. But if the whole thing collapses tomorrow, LEO’s just a fancy digital receipt for a broken casino.
Also, why do people still use Bitfinex? There are 20 better exchanges now. This feels like clinging to a VHS player because ‘it has character’.
Rebecca Saffle
November 16, 2025 AT 06:44LEO is a joke. Bitfinex is a relic. The fact that anyone still uses this exchange in 2024 is embarrassing. And now you’re telling me to pay for a token so I can save pennies on fees for a platform that’s one lawsuit away from vaporizing? No thanks. I use Kraken. They’re transparent, regulated, and don’t need me to buy their trash to get basic service.
Also, dual-chain? That’s not innovation. That’s incompetence. You can’t even get your own token right. How am I supposed to trust them with my money?
ty ty
November 17, 2025 AT 10:08Wow. So you’re telling me I need to buy a token to get a discount on a platform that’s basically a ghost town now? And you think that’s smart? LEO isn’t a utility token - it’s a loyalty card for a dying store. The only thing burning here is my money.
Also, 27% of profits? Bro, if they’re not making profits, they’re burning their own cash. That’s not a burn - that’s a suicide pact.
And the SEC? They didn’t fine them for fraud. They fined them for being lazy. That’s the whole story.
Debraj Dutta
November 19, 2025 AT 07:43Interesting analysis. I’ve been holding LEO since 2020 and have never sold. The fee discounts are real, and the burn mechanism is the most transparent I’ve seen. Bitfinex isn’t perfect, but they’re consistent. That counts for a lot in crypto.
I do agree with the chain risk - I’ve seen too many people lose tokens by sending to the wrong network. Always verify the chain before sending. Use Bitfinex’s wallet if unsure.
Suhail Kashmiri
November 19, 2025 AT 16:17LEO is a scam. Bitfinex is a fraud. They lost $850M and now they’re selling you a ‘membership’ to feel better about it? You’re not saving money - you’re funding their cover-up. Don’t be fooled. This isn’t utility. This is guilt monetization.
Kristin LeGard
November 19, 2025 AT 17:17Why is everyone acting like LEO is some kind of moral victory? It’s a token created to cover up a massive theft. The burn is just PR. The SEC fine? A slap on the wrist. And you’re all cheering like it’s a revolution?
Real talk: if you’re still on Bitfinex, you’re either desperate or naive. Either way, don’t blame the token - blame yourself for trusting them.
BRYAN CHAGUA
November 20, 2025 AT 23:46It’s worth noting that LEO’s burn mechanism is the only one in the space that’s legally enforceable. That’s not marketing - that’s contractual obligation. Most tokens promise ‘burns’ but don’t deliver. LEO does. That’s rare.
Yes, Bitfinex has lost market share. But LEO’s value isn’t tied to exchange volume alone - it’s tied to profitability. If they make money, LEO burns. That’s a direct alignment of incentives.
For active traders, it’s a cost-saving tool. For passive holders? It’s speculative. Know your role. Don’t confuse utility with investment.
And for those worried about the chain complexity? Use the Bitfinex wallet. Don’t move it unless you know what you’re doing. Simple.