Perpetual Futures vs. Quarterly Futures
Perpetual Futures vs. Quarterly Futures: A Beginner's Guide
Welcome to the world of cryptocurrency trading! This guide will explain the difference between two popular types of crypto futures contracts: Perpetual Futures and Quarterly Futures. Understanding these differences is crucial before you start trading on exchanges like Register now, Start trading, Join BingX, Open account or BitMEX.
What are Futures Contracts?
Before diving into the specifics, let's understand what a futures contract is. A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell an asset (like Bitcoin or Ethereum) at a predetermined price on a specific date in the future. It allows traders to speculate on the future price of an asset without actually owning it. Learning about Leverage is important because futures trading often involves it.
Perpetual Futures: The Contract That Never Expires
Perpetual futures are relatively new to the trading world and have become very popular. As the name suggests, these contracts *don't* have an expiration date. You can hold them indefinitely. They closely track the spot price of the underlying asset (the current market price of Bitcoin, for example).
- How do they work?*
Perpetual futures use something called a "funding rate." This is a periodic payment (usually every 8 hours) exchanged between buyers and sellers.
- **Positive Funding Rate:** When the perpetual contract price is *higher* than the spot price, buyers pay sellers. This encourages traders to sell, bringing the contract price closer to the spot price.
- **Negative Funding Rate:** When the perpetual contract price is *lower* than the spot price, sellers pay buyers. This encourages traders to buy, bringing the contract price closer to the spot price.
Think of it like a small rent for keeping the contract open. The funding rate is dynamic and changes based on market conditions.
- Example:* You believe Bitcoin will go up and open a long position (betting on the price increasing) on a perpetual futures contract. If the funding rate is positive, you'll have to pay a small fee periodically to those who are shorting (betting on the price decreasing).
Quarterly Futures: Contracts with a Fixed Expiration
Quarterly futures, on the other hand, *do* have an expiration date. These contracts typically expire every three months (hence "quarterly"). On the expiration date, the contract is automatically settled.
- How do they work?*
Unlike perpetual futures, quarterly futures rely on a mechanism called "contract expiry." As the expiration date approaches, the contract price will converge with the spot price. Traders who hold the contract until expiration will either receive or pay the difference between the contract price and the spot price.
- Example:* You buy a quarterly Bitcoin futures contract expiring in March. If, in March, the spot price of Bitcoin is higher than the price you paid for the contract, you’ll receive the difference as profit. Conversely, if the spot price is lower, you’ll have to pay the difference.
Perpetual vs. Quarterly: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Here's a quick comparison to highlight the key differences:
| Feature | Perpetual Futures | Quarterly Futures |
|---|---|---|
| Expiration Date | No expiration | Fixed expiration (typically quarterly) |
| Funding Rate | Yes, periodic payments between buyers and sellers | No funding rate |
| Price Convergence | Continuously tracks spot price via funding rate | Converges with spot price as expiration approaches |
| Liquidity | Generally higher liquidity | Liquidity can decrease closer to expiration |
Which One Should You Choose?
The best choice depends on your trading strategy and risk tolerance.
- **Perpetual Futures are ideal for:**
* Long-term holding, as there's no expiration. * Traders who want to avoid the complications of contract expiry. * Active traders who benefit from higher liquidity.
- **Quarterly Futures are ideal for:**
* Traders who have a specific price target in mind for the expiration date. * Traders who prefer a more predictable settlement process. * Hedging strategies, where you want to lock in a price for future delivery.
Practical Steps to Get Started
1. **Choose an Exchange:** Select a reputable cryptocurrency exchange like Register now, Start trading, Join BingX, Open account or BitMEX. 2. **Create an Account & Verify:** Sign up for an account and complete the necessary verification steps (KYC). 3. **Deposit Funds:** Deposit cryptocurrency into your futures trading account. Understanding Wallet Security is paramount. 4. **Select a Contract:** Choose either a perpetual or quarterly futures contract for the asset you want to trade (e.g., BTCUSDTPERP or BTCUSDQ). 5. **Set Your Position:** Decide whether to go long (buy) or short (sell) and set your leverage. Be careful with Risk Management when using leverage. 6. **Monitor Your Trade:** Keep a close eye on your position and adjust your stop-loss and take-profit orders as needed.
Important Considerations
- **Leverage:** Futures trading involves leverage, which can magnify both profits and losses. Use leverage responsibly.
- **Funding Rates (Perpetual Futures):** Be aware of the funding rate and how it can impact your profitability.
- **Expiration Dates (Quarterly Futures):** Don't forget the expiration date and plan accordingly.
- **Risk Management:** Always use stop-loss orders to limit your potential losses. Study Technical Analysis to improve your trading.
Further Learning
- Cryptocurrency Trading
- Margin Trading
- Stop-Loss Orders
- Take-Profit Orders
- Trading Volume
- Order Books
- Candlestick Patterns
- Moving Averages
- Bollinger Bands
- Relative Strength Index (RSI)
- Fibonacci Retracements
- Market Capitalization
- Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs)
- Understanding Blockchain
Recommended Crypto Exchanges
| Exchange | Features | Sign Up |
|---|---|---|
| Binance | Largest exchange, 500+ coins | Sign Up - Register Now - CashBack 10% SPOT and Futures |
| BingX Futures | Copy trading | Join BingX - A lot of bonuses for registration on this exchange |
Start Trading Now
- Register on Binance (Recommended for beginners)
- Try Bybit (For futures trading)
Learn More
Join our Telegram community: @Crypto_futurestrading
⚠️ *Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves risk. Only invest what you can afford to lose.* ⚠️