LIT Fee Tiers Launch Staking-Based Premium Execution Speeds

Lighter’s LIT Fee Tiers system launched on Feb 8, 2026, providing staking-based execution speed tiers for both retail and professional traders according to company announcements.

Premium accounts offer ultra-low latency for professional traders, while standard accounts maintain zero fees for retail users as detailed in the launch announcement.

This system is designed to balance accessibility and performance by encouraging liquidity and token staking participation according to the platform's whitepaper.

Lighter’s LIT Fee Tiers launched with a two-tier structure to cater to both retail and professional traders. The premium tier offers ultra-low latency—150ms for taker orders and 0ms for maker/cancel orders—while standard accounts remain free for retail users. This aims to ensure that small traders are not disadvantaged by the new system according to technical specifications.

The new system has attracted significant interest from market makers, who staked tokens before the launch, increasing TVL to $1.43B. This has contributed to a 30-day futures volume of $198B, outperforming platforms like Hyperliquid according to market analysis.

How Does the LIT Fee Tiers System Affect Liquidity and Token Staking Participation?

The LIT Fee Tiers are designed to incentivize token staking by offering better performance and lower fees for higher staking amounts. This encourages liquidity providers and market makers to participate actively in the ecosystem according to platform documentation.

By aligning execution speed with staking participation, the system aims to boost overall liquidity and market depth. Market makers are already staking tokens pre-launch, which supports the platform's efficiency and ensures a more stable trading environment according to technical reports.

Professional traders benefit significantly from this model, as they can access ultra-low latency and execute trades more efficiently. This advantage is particularly important in high-frequency trading scenarios where milliseconds matter according to trading performance data.

What Are the Risks for Small Traders and Retail Users?

While the system is designed to be accessible, small traders may face challenges if they lack sufficient tokens to access premium execution speeds. This could create a potential imbalance in the market, favoring larger traders with more staked assets according to risk assessment.

To address this concern, Lighter has introduced a temporary LIT Fee Credits program to improve accessibility for smaller traders. This program aims to ensure that retail users are not entirely excluded from the benefits of the new system according to company updates.

The two-tier model seeks to balance accessibility and performance by ensuring that retail trading remains free while professional traders gain access to enhanced execution speeds. This approach supports both retail and institutional participation in the market according to market analysis.