Fairdesk review - futures platform with room to prove itself

Fairdesk started in 2021 aiming to carve out a niche in crypto derivatives. Headquartered in Singapore, it offers futures on dozens of coins with up to 125x leverage, plus spot trading on major pairs. It markets itself on transparency, security and speed - but stacks up as a mid-tier player trying to compete with the likes of Bybit or Binance Futures.

Products and leverage options

Fairdesk’s bread and butter is perpetual futures. Traders can go long or short on BTC, ETH and a roster of altcoins, using isolated or cross margin. Leverage stretches all the way to 125x, though most retail users keep it under 20x to avoid blow-ups. The platform also supports basic spot markets, but futures clearly drive its volume.

Trading volume and liquidity picture

Fairdesk reports daily derivatives volume between 200 million and 500 million dollars, decent but far below leaders. Liquidity is solid on BTC and ETH contracts with low slippage, but thinner books on obscure alt pairs mean larger orders can impact price. This makes it fine for small to moderate trades, less so for whales.

Fees and funding costs

Trading fees run at 0.02 percent for makers and 0.06 percent for takers on futures - competitive with bigger rivals. Fairdesk adjusts funding every 8 hours to balance long and short positions, typical for perpetual markets. Rates swing based on market sentiment and can quietly eat into PnL if positions are left open too long.

Security and platform promises

Fairdesk highlights cold wallet storage, real-time risk audits and multi-signature controls. It also touts a “6-layer risk management system” though details are light. Unlike regulated venues, there’s no investor protection fund or external insurance. So users still carry standard counterparty risks common in offshore exchanges.

User interface and support

The UI is crisp, with TradingView integration, clear order books and position metrics. Mobile app performance is smooth, letting users tweak leverage or set stops with a few taps. Support is mainly via chat and email, with mixed reviews on response speed - some get help in minutes, others wait hours.

Pros & cons

Pros

• High leverage up to 125x for thrill-seekers
• Tight fees on futures trades
• Clean interface and quick mobile app
• Emphasis on cold wallet security

Cons

• Not regulated, carries standard offshore exchange risks
• Liquidity outside BTC/ETH can be shallow
• Funding fees and leverage risks add up fast
• Still far smaller than top-tier competitors

Bottom line - growing but not yet a heavyweight

Fairdesk is a polished platform for futures with decent liquidity on major pairs and trader-friendly fees. For small to mid-sized positions, it does the job well, with plenty of leverage for those chasing quick wins. But its size, lack of broad regulation and thinner alt markets keep it in the shadow of giants.

If you’re an experienced futures trader comfortable with offshore venues, Fairdesk gives you the tools. Just know the usual risks - from liquidation squeezes to counterparty exposure - still apply.