What are the differences between perpetual futures and traditional futures?

5 answers

• Lakshit JainJan 08, 2026 · a month ago
  Perpetual futures and traditional futures are both derivatives contracts that allow traders to speculate on the price movements of an underlying asset, such as a cryptocurrency. However, there are several key differences between the two. In terms of contract expiration, traditional futures have a fixed expiration date, after which the contract settles. Perpetual futures, on the other hand, do not have an expiration date and can be held indefinitely. This makes perpetual futures more flexible for traders who want to hold positions for longer periods. Another difference is the funding rate. Perpetual futures use a funding mechanism to ensure that the contract's price closely tracks the spot price of the underlying asset. This funding rate is periodically exchanged between long and short positions to maintain balance in the market. Traditional futures, on the other hand, do not have a funding rate and rely solely on the supply and demand dynamics of the market. Lastly, the trading mechanism for perpetual futures differs from traditional futures. Perpetual futures are traded on margin, allowing traders to leverage their positions and potentially amplify their gains or losses. Traditional futures also involve margin trading, but the leverage is typically lower compared to perpetual futures. Overall, perpetual futures offer more flexibility in terms of contract expiration and use a funding mechanism to closely track the spot price. However, they also come with higher leverage and potential risks. Traders should carefully consider their risk tolerance and trading strategies before choosing between perpetual futures and traditional futures.
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• MotPhimPlusDec 19, 2025 · 2 months ago
  Perpetual futures and traditional futures may seem similar, but they have some important differences in the cryptocurrency market. Firstly, perpetual futures do not have an expiration date, while traditional futures have a fixed expiration date. This means that traders can hold perpetual futures positions for as long as they want, whereas traditional futures contracts settle on the expiration date. Secondly, perpetual futures use a funding rate mechanism to maintain the contract's price close to the spot price of the underlying asset. This funding rate is exchanged between long and short positions and helps to prevent price deviations. Traditional futures, on the other hand, rely solely on market supply and demand dynamics to determine the contract's price. Lastly, perpetual futures allow traders to use higher leverage compared to traditional futures. This means that traders can amplify their potential gains or losses with perpetual futures. Traditional futures also involve margin trading, but the leverage is typically lower. In summary, perpetual futures offer more flexibility in terms of contract duration and use a funding rate to track the spot price. However, they also come with higher leverage and potential risks. Traders should carefully consider their trading strategies and risk tolerance before choosing between perpetual futures and traditional futures.
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• JedyAndyJul 02, 2025 · 7 months ago
  Perpetual futures and traditional futures have distinct characteristics that set them apart in the cryptocurrency market. Perpetual futures, like those offered on BYDFi, do not have an expiration date. This means that traders can hold their positions indefinitely, providing more flexibility compared to traditional futures. On the other hand, traditional futures have a fixed expiration date, after which the contract settles. Another difference lies in the funding mechanism. Perpetual futures use a funding rate to ensure that the contract's price closely tracks the spot price of the underlying asset. This funding rate is periodically exchanged between long and short positions to maintain balance in the market. Traditional futures, however, do not have a funding rate and rely solely on market dynamics. Lastly, perpetual futures allow for higher leverage compared to traditional futures. This means that traders can potentially amplify their gains or losses with perpetual futures. Traditional futures also involve margin trading, but the leverage is typically lower. In conclusion, perpetual futures offer more flexibility in terms of contract duration and use a funding rate to track the spot price. However, traders should be aware of the higher leverage and potential risks associated with perpetual futures.
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• SSPPLL89Nov 15, 2020 · 5 years ago
  Perpetual futures and traditional futures are two types of derivatives contracts used in the cryptocurrency market, each with its own unique features. One key difference between perpetual futures and traditional futures is the contract expiration. Traditional futures have a fixed expiration date, after which the contract settles. Perpetual futures, on the other hand, do not have an expiration date and can be held indefinitely. This makes perpetual futures more flexible for traders who want to hold positions for longer periods. Another difference is the funding rate mechanism used in perpetual futures. This mechanism ensures that the contract's price closely tracks the spot price of the underlying asset. The funding rate is periodically exchanged between long and short positions to maintain balance in the market. Traditional futures, however, do not have a funding rate and rely solely on market dynamics. Lastly, perpetual futures allow for higher leverage compared to traditional futures. This means that traders can potentially amplify their gains or losses with perpetual futures. Traditional futures also involve margin trading, but the leverage is typically lower. In summary, perpetual futures offer more flexibility in terms of contract duration and use a funding rate to track the spot price. However, traders should be cautious of the higher leverage and potential risks associated with perpetual futures.
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• R POct 03, 2020 · 5 years ago
  When it comes to perpetual futures and traditional futures in the cryptocurrency market, there are a few key differences to consider. Firstly, perpetual futures do not have an expiration date, while traditional futures have a fixed expiration date. This means that perpetual futures can be held indefinitely, providing more flexibility for traders. Traditional futures contracts, on the other hand, settle on the expiration date. Secondly, perpetual futures use a funding rate mechanism to ensure that the contract's price closely follows the spot price of the underlying asset. This funding rate is periodically exchanged between long and short positions to maintain balance in the market. Traditional futures, however, do not have a funding rate and rely solely on market dynamics. Lastly, perpetual futures allow for higher leverage compared to traditional futures. This means that traders can potentially amplify their gains or losses with perpetual futures. Traditional futures also involve margin trading, but the leverage is typically lower. In conclusion, perpetual futures offer more flexibility in terms of contract duration and use a funding rate to track the spot price. However, traders should be aware of the higher leverage and potential risks associated with perpetual futures.
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