Futures contracts available on BitMEX

A futures contract is a derivative.

It is also an agreement to buy or sell a commodity, currency or other product at a predetermined price at a specified time in the future (except in the case of early settlement).

They can be physically delivered or cash settled. BitMEX offers several trading products in the form of cash-settled futures contracts.

Futures contracts do not require investors to use 100% collateral as margin, so you can use up to 100x leverage on some contracts on BitMEX.

Margin on BitMEX is denominated in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, allowing traders to speculate on the future value of its products using only Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.

The products offered by BitMEX have an inverse, dual currency and linear structure.

This document explains the main differences between these structures and some of the implications for traders.

Trade Futures Contracts on BitMEX

Dual Currency Futures Contract on BitMEX

The information below uses the use of the “COIN/USDT” futures contract as an example.

Information is common to all dual currency futures contracts, but some may have different multipliers.

Please check the contract details directly for this information.

Bitcoin dual-currency COIN/USDT futures contracts have a fixed Bitcoin multiplier regardless of the USDT price of COIN. This allows traders to go long or short the COIN/USDT rate without touching COIN or USDT.

Traders will use Bitcoin as margin and gain or lose Bitcoin when the COIN/USDT exchange rate changes.

The underlying asset of COINUSDT futures is the COIN/USDT exchange rate, and this price is recorded in the underlying asset index.

Traders who believe the price of COIN will rise will buy long this futures contract.

Conversely, traders who believe the price will fall will sell short the futures contract.

All margins are in Bitcoin, and traders can buy long or sell short with only Bitcoin.

Most dual currency futures have leverage between 25x and 50x.

Open BitMEX’s Crypto Account

Linear Futures Contract on BitMEX

The following information uses the “COINXBT” futures contract and the “COINUSDT” futures contract as an example.

Information is common to all linear futures contracts, but some may have different multipliers.

The underlying asset of COIN futures is the trading price of COINXBT or COINUSDT, which is recorded in the underlying asset index.

COINXBT is quoted in Bitcoin, and margin and profit and loss are calculated in Bitcoin.

COINXBT futures are margined in Bitcoin, while COINUSDT futures are margined in Tether, which means that traders can go long or short contracts using only Bitcoin or Tether.

Most linear futures have leverage between 20x and 100x.

Futures contracts are settled based on the 30-minute time-weighted average price (“TWAP”) of the underlying index.

Settlement will take place on the last Friday of the settlement month (except in the case of early settlement).

Trade Futures Contracts on BitMEX