I've noticed that many beginners get confused between maker and taker terms on exchanges. In reality, it's quite simple once you understand.

When you place a new order on the market — you're a maker. You're essentially creating liquidity, giving other traders the opportunity to trade with you. Usually, the exchange charges a maker fee, which is often lower than the taker fee. The logic is straightforward — the exchange encourages people to add liquidity.

A taker, on the other hand, is someone who takes an existing order from the order book. You see someone else's order and execute it immediately. You're removing liquidity from the order book, so the taker fee is usually higher. It's like buying something in a store at the listed price instead of negotiating.

That's roughly how it works in practice. Makers add, takers take. The difference in fees can be small, but if you're an active trader, it adds up. That's why Gate and other exchanges often display both types of fees separately — so you understand the cost of each type of trade.