Perpetual Swaps Guide 2024 | How To Get Started

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Jemma Grist
Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.
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Edited By
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Tobias Robinson
Tobias is a partner at DayTrading.com, director of a UK limited company and active trader. He has over 25 years of experience in the financial industry and contributed via CySec to the regulatory response to digital options and CFD trading in Europe. Toby’s expertise and dedication to financial education make him a trusted voice in the industry, including a BBC investigation into digital options.
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William Berg
William contributes to several investment websites, leveraging his experience as a consultant for IPOs in the Nordic market and background providing localization for forex trading software. William has worked as a writer and fact-checker for a long row of financial publications.
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Perpetual swaps have exploded in popularity along with the rise of cryptocurrency. As crypto-derivatives contracts, they’re closely tied to the surge in trading Bitcoin, Ethereum and other tokens. They’re usually traded on large derivatives exchanges, such as BitMEX and OKEx, but are increasingly being offered by spot exchanges too.

In this guide to perpetual swaps, we’ve explained what they are and how they work, along with an example. We’ve also listed the steps to get started trading perpetual swaps.

Best Perpetual Swaps Exchanges

Click a broker for details
  1. 1
    Kraken
    Lower fees when trading volume exceeds $50,000 in 30 days

    Ratings
    3 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    3.9 / 5
    3.5 / 5
    3.8 / 5
    1.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    0 / 5
    0 / 5

    $10
    Variable
    FCA, FinCEN, FINTRAC, AUSTRAC, FSA
    Cryptos
    AlgoTrader
    Bitcoin Payments, Wire Transfer, PayID, Silvergate Bank Transfer, Etana, Ethereum Payments
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF
  2. 2
    Gemini

    Ratings
    2 / 5
    3 / 5
    2 / 5
    2.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    2 / 5
    2.5 / 5
    3 / 5
    0 / 5
    0 / 5

    $0
    0.00001 BTC
    NYDFS, MAS, FCA
    Cryptos
    ActiveTrader, AlgoTrader, TradingView
    Bitcoin Payments, Credit Card, Wire Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Silvergate Bank Transfer, Ethereum Payments, ACH Transfer, PayPal, Etana
    USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, HKD, SGD

This is why we think these brokers are the best in this category:

  1. Kraken - Kraken is a leading cryptocurrency exchange with a proprietary trading terminal and a list of 220+ tradeable crypto tokens. Up to 1:5 leverage is available with stable rollover fees on spot crypto trading and up to 1:50 on futures. The exchange also supports crypto staking and has an interactive NFT marketplace.
  2. Gemini - Gemini is a cryptocurrency exchange set up in 2014 by the Winklevoss brothers, known for their early involvement in Facebook. The exchange is among the world’s 20 largest and most popular. Gemini clients can trade and stake 110+ cryptocurrencies, with derivatives trading available in some jurisdictions, an advanced proprietary platform and additional features including an NFT marketplace.

Kraken

"Kraken will suit traders looking for a diverse list of cryptos including Bitcoin and a good security track record."

William Berg, Reviewer

Kraken Quick Facts

Bonus OfferLower fees when trading volume exceeds $50,000 in 30 days
Demo AccountYes
InstrumentsCryptos
RegulatorFCA, FinCEN, FINTRAC, AUSTRAC, FSA
PlatformsAlgoTrader
Minimum Deposit$10
Minimum TradeVariable
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF

Pros

  • Mobile investing
  • Crypto staking
  • NFT marketplace and crypto staking available

Cons

  • Does not support many newer altcoins
  • Does not accept fiat deposits
  • Slow verification process on Pro account

Gemini

"Gemini’s ActiveTrader platform and TradingView integration make it a good choice for serious crypto traders seeking a reliable charting environment, though we were disappointed by some unnecessary fees and previous security breaches."

Michael MacKenzie, Reviewer

Gemini Quick Facts

Demo AccountNo
InstrumentsCryptos
RegulatorNYDFS, MAS, FCA
PlatformsActiveTrader, AlgoTrader, TradingView
Minimum Deposit$0
Minimum Trade0.00001 BTC
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • The TradingView integration delivers top-quality tools, including backtesting and algo trading capabilities
  • The exchange ensures high security standards with 2FA a requirement for all crypto investors
  • There is a decent range of educational guides and tutorials suitable for beginners

Cons

  • There are high fees for some funding methods including a 3.49% fee for card transactions
  • There is no practice profile or demo account for prospective traders
  • The 'convenience fee' for using the mobile app seems arbitrary and makes it inefficient to use this feature

What Is A Perpetual Swap?

Perpetual swaps are a type of derivative contract, meaning their value is tied to that of an underlying asset. They are essentially futures contracts, but the key difference is that they don’t have an expiry date. In this way, they are perpetual – they never end – as the name suggests.

They are designed specifically for cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin (BTC), and have not reached other asset classes yet. This is because a perpetual swap contract is a peer-to-peer instrument, as opposed to a CFD with a broker, for example.

How Perpetual Swaps Work

Perpetual swap contracts mirror the asset’s value through a ‘funding rate mechanism’. This is a fee or rebate for the purchaser and is used to balance supply and demand. When the price of the perpetual swap is higher than that of the underlying asset, the funding rate is positive. This means traders who are long pay a fee to those opening short positions. It encourages arbitrage traders to swoop in and purchase short positions, which brings the price down in line with the asset’s true value.

Conversely, if the funding rate is negative, it means the perpetual swap is trading at a price that is lower than the market rate. A negative funding rate means shorts are paying for longs, encouraging long positions and raising the price. Most exchanges provide a list of predicted funding rates for perpetual swaps to help you plan your strategy.

Inverse Perpetual Swaps

There are also inverse perpetual swap contracts that use a cryptocurrency (such as BTC, ETH or LTC) as the base currency, but fiat currencies as the quote currency. In any forex currency pair, such as GBP/USD, the first three letters represent the base currency, meaning that is the asset held by the trader. The last three letters are known as the quote currency, i.e the currency you’ll receive. Inverse swaps are the opposite, making it easier for some traders to understand because the value is quoted in USD rather than crypto. Most traders will appreciate the value of 10 USD, but may not know that it equates to 0.0004 BTC, for example. So, a BTC/USD inverse perpetual swap means you are buying 1 USD of Bitcoin at the Bitcoin price quoted.

Perpetual swaps contracts

Perpetual Swaps Vs CFDs

Perpetual swaps are similar to CFDs in that they are both derivative contracts that allow traders to utilise leverage as well as open short positions. However, there are some key differences:

Perpetual Swaps Vs Futures

Put simply, perpetual swaps are futures contracts with no expiry dates. They enable traders to open leveraged positions without having to monitor the settlement dates of contracts. In this way, perpetual swaps are very similar to trading spot crypto, but with the added benefits of leverage and the ability to open short positions.

Pros Of Perpetual Swaps

Cons Of Perpetual Swaps

Guide to perpetual swaps

How To Start Trading Perpetual Swaps

Select An Exchange

Firstly, you’ll need to select a crypto derivatives exchange. Popular platforms include BitMEX, OKEx and Binance.

Purchase Crypto

Many of the top crypto derivative exchanges do not facilitate the purchase of spot crypto. Therefore, you’ll need to buy your tokens elsewhere and load them into your wallet. Alternatively, select an exchange that allows both, such as Kraken or Binance.

Open An Account

Open an account and complete the KYC checks.

Move Tokens Into Your Perpetual Swaps Account

Load your crypto into your perpetual swaps account. The location varies by broker. On OKEx, for example, this is available from the drop-down menu, under Trade.

Implement A Strategy

It’s vital that traders do not enter a trade without a strategy. For years, a forex trader’s mantra has been ‘plan the trade, trade the trade’ and crypto investors should be no different. Decide where you’ll close your position before you open the order and stick to it.

Choose Your Perpetual Swap Details

Select the asset and leverage required and then enter your order size. As part of your risk management strategy, you’ll want to implement a stop loss. This will automatically close your trade if the price drops below your set limit. With a perpetual swap contract, there are two prices to be aware of: the mark price and the last price. The last price is the actual trading price of the contact and the mark price is an estimate of its true value. Consider whether you want to set your stop loss towards the mark price or last price. Some traders prefer to tie it to the mark price which will prevent rogue stops when the market is particularly volatile.

Execute Position

Review your trade details and click the relevant button to execute your position.

Monitor The Market

Keeping an eye on the market is key. Cryptocurrency is so volatile that your fortunes can change quickly. It’s a good idea to download a mobile app so that even while on the go, you can be ready to close a position. But remember, leave emotion at the door and stick to your perpetual swap strategy. Even the most level-headed traders can feel the urge to deviate, but keeping a clear head is vital.

Close The Trade

A perpetual swap does not expire, so when the time is right, close your trade and realise your profit or loss.

Comparing Providers

BitMEX was one of the first crypto derivative exchanges on the market, opening its virtual doors in 2014. BitMEX is credited as the inventor of the perpetual swap contract, which are offered with up to 1:100 leverage on selected tokens. 19 coins are available to swap, including some interesting altcoins like Tron and Stellar alongside the big players: Bitcoin, Ethereum and Binance Coin.

OKEx is another popular exchange, founded in 2017 and based in the Seychelles. Like many perpetual swap exchanges, it operates its own liquidity pool and therefore offers a maker/taker fee structure. If you’re adding liquidity to the order book, your fees could be as low as -0.015% (i.e you receive a rebate), and if you’re taking liquidity away, the maximum fee is 0.05%. The fee is paid in addition to the funding rate. However, the funding rate is charged at 3 different intervals throughout the day 02:00, 10:00, and 18:00 (CEST, UTC +2). If you’re not holding a swap at this time, you won’t be charged. In this way, day traders can avoid paying for positions. Check out the OKEx perpetual swap guide for more information.

Final Word On Perpetual Swaps

Perpetual swaps are an exciting way to enter the cryptocurrency market without owning the underlying asset. We’ve provided you with a definition of how they work and a guide to getting started. But remember, these are risky instruments, so getting a clear risk management strategy in place is key.

FAQs

How Do Perpetual Swaps Work?

Perpetual swaps are futures contracts with no expiry date. They allow traders to open leveraged positions on cryptocurrencies, as well as hedge trades using short positions. They are a derivative contract and therefore their price is based on the underlying token’s value. Without an expiry date, perpetual swaps need a mechanism to keep their value in line with the asset’s. This is known as a funding rate – a fee or rebate based on whether you’re taking a long or short position and the value of the contract versus the asset.

Why Would I Trade Perpetual Swaps Vs Spot Crypto?

Spot crypto (i.e buying and owning cryptocurrency) allows traders to profit from a rise in price. This is your traditional ‘buy low, sell high’ scenario. However, experienced traders will look for opportunities to profit in all markets. Opening a short position on a perpetual swap means that when the price dips, the trader can make a profit.

Where Can I Trade Perpetual Swaps?

Perpetual swaps are available to trade through derivative exchanges such as OKEx, ByBit, and BitMEX. Popular crypto exchanges, such as Binance and Coinbase, also offer the service, making it easier for those who’ve purchased spot through this channel to trade. Increasingly, exchanges that have traditionally offered derivatives only are now expanding into the spot market.

What Is A Perpetual Swap Funding Rate?

A funding rate is applied to a perpetual swap as a mechanism to keep its value in line with that of the underlying asset. Without an expiry date, perpetual swap contracts can diverge in price from the token they’re based on. The funding rate applies a fee or rebate to long or short positions depending on whether the value is too high or low. In this way, it encourages positions that will move the price closer to that of the asset’s market value.

Are Perpetual Swaps Worth It?

Perpetual swaps offer multiple benefits for experienced traders, including the ability to utilise leverage and hedge positions. However, they are risky trading instruments. Crypto markets are incredibly volatile and leverage can only exacerbate this. Consider whether you can afford to lose your entire deposit amount before you trade.