Trade limit

The trade limit is a mechanism in the trade system that prevents any player from making trades considered to be "unbalanced". This limit was instituted on 2 January 2008 as part of measures to curb real world trading. Jagex's intention to add this limit was announced on 10 December 2007, as part of several other updates, to allow players to prepare for the limit. For free players, the limit is 3,000 coins every fifteen minutes; for members, the limit increases with quest points up to a maximum of 30,000 coins in the same time. This limit also affects staking and the Rat Pits. Many players disliked the update, as it prevents larger gifts from being given to others, and reduces the amount of help that can be provided to fellow players. Shortly after the addition of the limit, on 3 January, some players began rioting in protest of the update.

Limit amount
As initially planned, the trade cap would have been 3,000 coins for all players. After considering suggestions from players, Jagex decided to increase this limit, depending on quest points, although free players are still unable to gain or lose more than 3,000 coins every fifteen minutes. Below is a table with approximate trade limits for given numbers of quest points, as provided by Jagex.