See BTC/USDT and ETH/BTC on Binance and wondering what they mean? These are "trading pairs." sign up for Binance to see them in action, download the Binance APP to browse all pairs.
What Is a Trading Pair?
A trading pair shows the exchange relationship between two cryptocurrencies.
- Left of the slash = "base currency" (what you buy/sell)
- Right of the slash = "quote currency" (what you pay with)
So BTC/USDT = buy BTC using USDT. ETH/BTC = buy ETH using BTC.
Common Quote Currencies
USDT Pairs
Most popular. USDT is pegged to USD, so prices are intuitive dollar equivalents.
BTC Pairs
For swapping other coins with Bitcoin. Shows relative performance vs. BTC.
BNB Pairs
May offer fee advantages for BNB holders.
How to Choose
Beginners: Use USDT pairs — intuitive pricing. Liquidity: Major USDT pairs have the highest volume and tightest spreads.
Reading Pair Info
- Latest price: Most recent trade price
- 24h change: Price change percentage
- 24h high/low: Price range
- 24h volume: Total trading volume
- Best bid/ask: Current best buy and sell quotes
Trading Directions
Each pair supports two directions:
- Buy: Spend quote currency to get base currency
- Sell: Sell base currency to get quote currency
Understanding trading pairs lets you navigate any trading interface with confidence.