Based referral link and review
Based (based.one, formerly basedapp.io) is a trading app built on Hyperliquid: perpetual futures on crypto, stocks, indices, commodities and FX, plus spot, prediction markets and a crypto Visa card. Based does not currently advertise a sign-up bonus for users who join through a referral link, so this page covers fees, the affiliate program and the limits to know first.
No extra sign-up bonus via this link — the provider's standard terms apply.
Referral link disclosure: the button above is our referral link. If you sign up through it, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The bonus and terms are set by Based (Hyperliquid app) and can change — check them on the official site before you sign up.
How to get started
- Open Based through the referral link on this page; it carries the referral code REFPROGRAMS.
- Create your account in the web terminal at app.based.one or in the mobile app, using a social login or by connecting a wallet.
- Fund the trading account with USDC: send crypto to the deposit address Based generates, or buy crypto with a card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or another listed payment method.
- Pick a market (crypto perps, stock and commodity perps, or spot) and place your first order.
- Optionally create your own affiliate code in the affiliate portal.
What is Based?
Based describes itself as a super app for trading and spending crypto. Trading runs on Hyperliquid, an on-chain exchange; Based adds its own interface, apps and a builder fee. Its risk disclosure states that Based is a self-custody wallet, not a broker.
- Crypto perps – BTC, ETH, SOL, HYPE and other coins.
- TradFi perps – contracts tracking stocks (NVDA, AAPL, TSLA and others), indices, gold, oil and FX. They give no dividends or voting rights.
- Spot and swaps – Hyperliquid spot plus swaps on chains such as Solana.
- Prediction markets via Polymarket, a Visa card (Based Cash) and Based AI research tools.
Clients: web terminal, desktop, iOS, Android and a Telegram bot. The $BASED token launched in 2026, and Based reports an $11.5M Series A led by Pantera Capital.
Who it's for
Traders who want Hyperliquid liquidity through a mobile, desktop or Telegram client, and people who want round-the-clock stock or commodity exposure via perps instead of a brokerage account. Positions are leveraged: they can be liquidated, funding fees apply, and you can lose money. Not a fit if you want to own actual shares.
Trading fees
Based publishes all-in rates (Based plus Hyperliquid fees) by 14-day volume tier. Entry tier (tier 0):
| Market | Taker | Maker |
|---|---|---|
| Crypto perps | 0.070% | 0.040% |
| TradFi perps (growth-mode markets) | 0.014% | 0.008% |
| Spot buy | 0.070% | 0.040% |
| Spot sell | 0.170% | 0.140% |
Rates fall with volume: at tier 6 (over $7B in 14 days) crypto perps cost 0.049% taker and 0.025% maker. The Based builder fee inside these totals is 0.025% on perps, a flat 0.002% on growth-mode perps, 0.1% on spot sells and nothing on spot buys. Staking $BASED cuts the builder fee by 30% (60,000+ tokens), 60% (300,000+) or 100% (600,000+). Withdrawals need 1 USDC for gas.
Based affiliate program terms
Any user can create an affiliate code (up to 12 characters, no special symbols) in the affiliate portal and earn a share of the Based fees paid by their network, for the lifetime of each referred user:
- Tier 1 (people you invite directly): 60%
- Tier 2 (their referrals): 9%, boostable to 12%
- Tier 3 (the next level): 3%, boostable to 4%
That adds up to the advertised "up to 76%". The boosted tier 2 and tier 3 rates are for Based Partners, which requires at least $5M of referred volume or an invitation from the team. According to the FAQ, payouts are processed twice a month with a $10 minimum to claim, and a referral code cannot be changed once set. The separate card affiliate program ended on 30 June 2026.
Regions, KYC and limits
- The affiliate page advertises global availability, but the docs say access is restricted for certain countries (not listed), and affiliate materials are not directed at users in the United Kingdom or Singapore.
- Trading lists no KYC step. The Visa card needs a passport or national ID and is not offered in 80 countries, including the US, Canada, China, India, Turkey and Russia; the site says card sign-ups reopen in November 2026.
- Deposit only supported tokens and networks; each deposit route has a minimum.
Pros and cons
Pros
- One app for crypto perps, stock and commodity perps, spot and prediction markets
- Low published fees on growth-mode TradFi perps (0.014% taker at tier 0)
- Web, desktop, iOS, Android and Telegram bot clients
- Builder fee discounts of up to 100% for $BASED stakers
- Three-tier affiliate program any user can join
Cons
- Leveraged perps carry liquidation and funding costs
- No published sign-up discount for users who join via a referral link
- Restricted countries for trading are not listed publicly
- Spot selling is expensive at 0.17% taker on the entry tier
- Operating company is not named on the site
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Based referral code?
Yes. The referral link on this page carries the code REFPROGRAMS and applies it when you sign up. Based does not currently advertise a fee discount or bonus for invited users, and a referral code cannot be changed after it is set.
Is Based legit?
Based publishes its fee schedule, platform terms, documentation and in-app support, and reports an $11.5M Series A led by Pantera Capital. Trades settle on Hyperliquid. The site does not name the operating company or its jurisdiction, and leveraged perps can lose money, so start small.
How much does Based charge?
At the entry tier, crypto perps cost 0.070% taker and 0.040% maker, growth-mode TradFi perps 0.014% and 0.008%. These totals include Hyperliquid's fee and fall as 14-day volume rises.
How does the Based referral program work?
Create a code in the affiliate portal and share it. You earn 60% of the Based fees paid by direct referrals, 9% (up to 12%) from their referrals and 3% (up to 4%) from the third level. Payouts run twice a month with a $10 minimum.
Can I use Based in the US or UK?
The Visa card is not offered in the United States, and Based's affiliate materials are not directed at users in the UK or Singapore. Based says trading access is restricted in certain countries but does not publish the list, so check before depositing.
- https://based.one/affiliate
- https://based.one/fees
- https://based.one/about
- https://basedapp.gitbook.io/docs/based/affiliate-program
- https://basedapp.gitbook.io/docs/based/fees
- https://basedapp.gitbook.io/docs/guides-and-faq/faq
- https://basedapp.gitbook.io/docs/based/readme
- https://basedapp.gitbook.io/docs/card/card-basics
- https://basedapp.gitbook.io/docs/based/funding-trading-account
- https://based.one/blog/2025-07-16-affiliate-v2
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