When it comes to crypto futures trading, picking the right platform is a game-changer. Perpetual futures contracts, which let you trade without an expiration date, offer big opportunities by allowing you to leverage crypto price movements. The key is balancing leverage, liquidity, fees, and security to maximize gains while managing risk.
Best Crypto Futures Exchanges (2024)
Here’s a breakdown of the top five futures trading platforms, evaluated for their security, fees, liquidity, and overall user experience.
- Trade 1000+ crypto assets and 180 futures contracts.
- Offers USDC and USDT collateralized perpetual futures and inverse perpetual contracts.
- Largest and most trusted crypto derivatives platform with $8.8 billion in daily volume.
Best Crypto Futures Trading Platforms
Our ranking of the top five crypto futures exchange is based on a comprehensive analysis that includes their compliance with international trade laws, transparency validated by third-party audits, and the efficiency of trading fees. We evaluate the trading options, including spot and derivatives markets, and the range of supported crypto contracts such as perpetuals.
Additionally, we consider vital factors like funding rates, market liquidity, and trading spreads to ensure a well-rounded assessment of each platform's offerings and reliability for traders.
1. Bybit
Bybit is a leading choice for crypto futures trading, known for its strong security and transparent proof-of-reserves. With daily volumes over $8.8 billion and a wide selection of 1,000+ spot assets and perpetual futures contracts, it’s a top option for both retail and institutional investors seeking liquidity and deep order books.
What sets Bybit apart is its excellent liquidity and a matching engine that can handle up to 100,000 transactions per second, ensuring smooth trades even during busy periods. Whether you're part of their VIP program or using their smart trading tools, Bybit offers a secure and efficient trading experience tailored to a range of strategies.
- Contract Collateral Options: Flexibility in trading with USDC or USDT as collateral choices.
- Contract Types: Engage in Perpetual Futures and Inverse Perpetuals, offering up to 25x leverage.
- Trading Fees: Enjoy minimal fees, with maker orders at 0.01% and taker orders at 0.06%.
- Available Assets: Access a broad spectrum of 1,000 spot markets and 180 contracts, catering to diverse trading preferences.
2. Gate.io
Gate.io is a major player in global crypto futures, offering over 1,700 crypto assets. It’s well-known for its perpetual contracts, which let traders hold positions indefinitely, with the option for higher leverage to suit more advanced strategies.
The platform provides a range of futures options, like USDT-M and BTC-M Futures, plus delivery futures for those focused on arbitrage or hedging. Beginners can benefit from the Novice Plan, which offers reduced commissions and a points-based system to get them started. For experienced traders, especially those in the VIP11+ range, the Professional Plan delivers tiered fees and exclusive perks.
- Contract Collateral Options: USDT and BTC only.
- Contract Types: Offering Perpetual, USDT-M, and BTC-M Futures.
- Trading Fees: Enjoy minimal fees, with maker orders at 0.015% and taker orders at 0.075%.
- Available Assets: Offers over 1,700 crypto assets, including emerging sectors like BRC-20s.
3. Kraken
Kraken ranks among the top crypto futures platforms, offering a solid mix of tools for both beginners and seasoned traders. With access to over 210 crypto assets, it combines spot and margin trading with staking options, all wrapped in a user-friendly interface that delivers real-time market data.
For those looking to elevate their trading game, Kraken Pro offers advanced features like in-depth charting, a variety of order types, and technical indicators for thorough market analysis. Plus, it’s not just about trading—Kraken also lets you earn up to 26% APY on selected assets, adding a passive income stream to the mix.
- Contract Collateral: Use Fiat currency or Bitcoin (BTC) for diverse collateral options.
- Contract Types: Engage in Margin trading with a maximum of 5x leverage.
- Trading Fees: Competitive rates with 0.16% for maker orders and 0.26% for taker orders.
- Available Assets: Access a broad portfolio of over 210 crypto assets, including 10 options for margin trading.
4. OKX
OKX, Asia's top crypto futures platform based in Hong Kong, ranks as the fourth largest globally with a daily trading volume of $3 billion, serving over 180 regions. It supports a variety of trading activities, including spot, margin, and derivatives, while also offering a Web3 wallet for managing DeFi portfolios.
For traders seeking technical depth, OKX integrates with TradingView, providing advanced charting tools for precise analysis. Whether you're trading, managing DeFi assets, or diving into the world of NFTs, OKX offers a comprehensive experience that caters to a wide range of crypto interests.
- Contract Collateral: Utilize USDT exclusively for streamlined collateral management.
- Contract Types: Access both Perpetual and Inverse Perpetual Contracts with leverage options up to 10x.
- Trading Fees: Enjoy competitive rates with 0.08% for maker orders and 0.1% for taker orders.
- Available Assets: Explore an extensive selection of over 200 spot markets and 50 futures markets.
5. Rollbit
Rollbit is a popular no-KYC crypto futures platform known for offering up to 1000x leverage on various cryptocurrencies. The platform is designed for ease of use, making it simple to manage trades and take quick positions on asset price movements. Its strong pricing strategy ensures stable market operations, which appeals to traders looking for reliability.
Rollbit supports a wide range of assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and its own Rollbit Coin (RLB). A standout feature is its dual fee structure, where traders can choose between a 'PnL Cut' or a 'Flat Fee,' with discounts available for RLB holders. Combined with fun trading leaderboards, Rollbit is a solid choice for high-leverage trading without the hassle of KYC.
What are Crypto Futures Perpetuals?
Perpetual futures are a type of cryptocurrency contract that lets you trade based on a future price without any expiration date—unlike traditional futures, which have set settlement dates. This gives traders the flexibility to speculate on price movements over the long term without worrying about closing dates, making it a unique alternative to spot trading and fixed-term futures.
These contracts are popular for their ability to allow both long (betting prices will rise) and short (betting prices will fall) positions, often with leverage options that can boost potential gains or losses. For anyone serious about crypto trading, understanding perpetual futures is key to building a more versatile strategy and improving overall portfolio management.
How are Crypto Futures Trading Platforms Regulated?
Crypto futures trading platforms are regulated differently depending on the platform. Exchanges like CME Group are overseen by government agencies, such as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which enforce strict financial rules. These regulations include margin requirements and standardized pricing mechanisms, providing a layer of security for traders.
On the other hand, many crypto-native futures platforms operate with minimal regulatory oversight. These unregulated platforms often offer higher leverage and more flexibility, but with that comes greater risk and market volatility. Traders should be aware of the regulatory environment of the platform they’re using to better understand the risks involved.
Futures Trading Fees
In crypto futures trading, the fee structure differs from what you might see on platforms like Coinbase or eToro. Here's a breakdown of the key fees you’ll typically encounter:
- Maker/Taker Fees: When you place an order, you'll either be adding liquidity (Maker) or removing liquidity (Taker). Maker orders generally come with lower fees since they help boost market liquidity, while Taker orders, which fill instantly, usually have higher fees.
- Funding Fees (Rollover Fees): These are variable fees charged when you keep a position open past a certain period. Funding fees can be positive or negative, depending on market conditions, and are designed to keep futures prices in line with spot prices.
Knowing these fees is essential, as they can directly impact your trading strategy and potential profits.
Final Thoughts
In summary, selecting the right crypto futures platform is crucial for your trading success. Each platform has unique strengths, like Bybit's liquidity or Rollbit's high-leverage, no-KYC model.
Weighing factors such as security, fees, and leverage can help you make informed choices and improve your trading strategy, no matter your experience level.
