How do futures and perpetual contracts work in the context of cryptocurrency trading?

1 answers

• Feb 18, 2022 · 3 years ago
  When it comes to cryptocurrency trading, futures and perpetual contracts are two popular options for traders to speculate on the price movements of cryptocurrencies. Futures contracts are agreements to buy or sell a specific cryptocurrency at a predetermined price and date in the future. On the other hand, perpetual contracts are similar to futures contracts but do not have an expiration date. One key difference between futures and perpetual contracts is the funding mechanism. Perpetual contracts have a funding rate that is exchanged between long and short positions to ensure the contract's price closely tracks the spot price of the underlying cryptocurrency. This funding mechanism helps maintain the contract's price stability. Another difference is the trading fees. Futures contracts often have higher trading fees compared to perpetual contracts. This is because futures contracts require the constant rolling over of positions, which incurs additional costs. In summary, futures and perpetual contracts provide traders with opportunities to profit from cryptocurrency price movements. However, it's important to carefully consider the specific features and risks associated with each instrument before engaging in trading activities.
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