Navigating the world of cryptocurrency trading requires a solid understanding of the tools and products available. Among the most popular are futures contracts, specifically coin-margined contracts, which allow traders to speculate on asset prices with leverage. This guide explains the process of opening and calculating such contracts on a leading exchange.
What is a Coin-Margined Futures Contract?
A coin-margined futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a specific cryptocurrency at a predetermined price at a future date. Unlike USDT-margined contracts, these are collateralized and settled in the base cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. This means both your margin and profits/losses are denominated in the underlying asset.
Step-by-Step Guide to Opening a Contract
Before starting, ensure you have an account on a reputable trading platform and have completed any necessary identity verification steps.
Accessing the Trading Interface
Log in to your account and navigate to the trading section. Look for the derivatives or futures trading area, often found under a "Trade" or "Contracts" tab.
Selecting the Contract Type
Within the futures section, locate and select "Coin-Margined" contracts. You will then see a list of available trading pairs, such as BTC/USD or ETH/USD.
Opening a New Position
Once you've chosen your desired contract, you can proceed to open a position:
- Click the button to open a new order, often labeled "Open Order" or "Place Order."
- Choose your position side: "Long" if you anticipate the price will rise, or "Short" if you believe it will fall.
Input your order details:
- Quantity/Size: The amount of contracts you wish to trade.
- Leverage: Select your desired leverage level. Remember, higher leverage amplifies both gains and losses.
- Limit Price (Optional): For limit orders, set your desired entry price.
Set risk management orders:
- Stop-Loss: An order that automatically closes your position at a specific price to limit potential losses.
- Take-Profit: An order that closes your position once a certain profit level is reached.
- Review all parameters carefully and submit your order. The system will check if you have sufficient margin in your futures wallet to open the position.
👉 Explore more strategies on advanced futures trading
How to Calculate Coin-Margined Contracts
Understanding the calculations behind your contract is crucial for effective risk management. Your profit, loss, and liquidation price are determined by several factors.
Key Calculation Formulas
The core formula for understanding your position's value is tied to the contract's specifications.
Contract Value = (Number of Contracts) × (Contract Multiplier) × (Entry Price)
Your initial margin requirement is calculated based on the leverage you choose.
Initial Margin = (Contract Value) / Leverage
For example, if you open a long position on 1 Bitcoin contract with a multiplier of 1, an entry price of $50,000, and 10x leverage:
- Contract Value = 1 × 1 × $50,000 = $50,000
- Initial Margin = $50,000 / 10 = $5,000 worth of BTC
This means you must have at least $5,000 in Bitcoin in your futures wallet to open this position.
Calculating Profit and Loss
Your PnL is calculated based on the difference between your entry price and the exit price.
PnL = (Exit Price - Entry Price) × (Number of Contracts) × (Contract Multiplier)
Using the previous example, if you close your position when Bitcoin reaches $55,000:
- PnL = ($55,000 - $50,000) × 1 × 1 = $5,000 profit (in BTC equivalent)
Since this is a coin-margined contract, this profit will be paid to you in Bitcoin based on the value at the time of settlement.
👉 View real-time tools for calculating potential profit and loss
Risk Management Strategies
Successful futures trading is built on disciplined risk management.
- Always Use Stop-Loss Orders: Define your maximum acceptable loss before entering any trade.
- Avoid Maximum Leverage: Using lower leverage gives your position more room to fluctuate before facing liquidation.
- Isolate Risk: Never allocate your entire portfolio to a single leveraged trade. Use only a small percentage of your capital for futures.
- Monitor Funding Rates: Perpetual contracts have funding rates that can affect your cost of holding a position over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between coin-margined and USDT-margined contracts?
Coin-margined contracts use a cryptocurrency like BTC as collateral, and your profit/loss is paid in that coin. USDT-margined contracts use Tether (USDT) as collateral, with settlements in USDT, providing more stable value for the margin itself.
How is the liquidation price determined for a coin-margined contract?
The liquidation price is the price at which your initial margin is depleted due to an unfavorable price move. It is calculated automatically by the exchange based on your entry price, leverage, and maintained margin rate. Most platforms provide an estimated liquidation price before you confirm your order.
Can I adjust my leverage after opening a position?
On many advanced platforms, you can modify the leverage of an existing position. However, doing so will directly affect your maintenance margin and liquidation price. Increasing leverage on an open position will move your liquidation price closer to the current market price, raising the risk.
What happens if I get liquidated?
If the market price hits your liquidation price, the exchange's system will automatically close your position. Any remaining margin after accounting for the loss and any liquidation fees will be returned to your wallet.
Is it possible to manually add more margin to a position?
Yes, a common risk management technique is to add more margin to an open position. This action moves your liquidation price further away from the current market price, effectively reducing your risk of liquidation and giving the trade more room to recover.
Are there fees associated with futures trading?
Yes, exchanges charge maker and taker fees for executing trades. There may also be funding fees for perpetual swaps and potentially liquidation fees if a position is force-closed by the system. Always check the fee schedule on your chosen platform.