DYDX Implements Zero-Fee Trading and Staking Discounts to Revitalize DEX Platform

DYDX has launched a strategic initiative to strengthen its position in the decentralized exchange (DEX) market by introducing zero-fee trading for Bitcoin (BTC) and Solana (SOL) on specific days, primarily during holiday periods, and offering up to 50% discounts on positive trading fees until the end of 2025. This move is part of a broader effort to incentivize on-chain traders and counter growing competition from platforms like Hypeliquid and Aster.

The discount system is tied to DYDX staking, where users can receive higher reductions based on the amount staked, following the community-approved v9.4 update aimed at optimizing the trading experience. Despite these efforts, DYDX faces significant challenges, with its Total Value Locked (TVL) plummeting from an all-time high of $1.9 billion in 2023 to below $310 million in 2025. Open positions have fallen under $150 million, and the native token's market value has dropped to $260 million, reflecting declining user engagement.

DYDX is targeting a price recovery, with initial goals set at $0.55, followed by $0.8 and $1.21, and potential to reach between $1.87 and $2.73 if market conditions improve and platform activity sustains. The zero-fee and staking incentives are designed to reignite user interest and demonstrate DYDX's competitiveness in a fragmented market, though current metrics highlight the uphill battle ahead.