Choosing a cryptocurrency exchange for trading bitcoin futures

Trading in futures for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies or tokens is rapidly gaining popularity all over the world and the growth in the turnover of trading in various cryptocurrency derivatives is growing by 200% - 300% almost every month. This is primarily due to the entry into this market of classic cryptocurrency exchanges, which previously offered only spot trading (trading the asset itself, and not its derivatives), which is why the cryptocurrency derivatives market (including futures) became available not only to professional traders, using platforms CME, CBOE, BAKKT, but also simple cryptocurrency enthusiasts, miners and investors with a minimum entry threshold. Against the background of user interest in cryptocurrency derivatives, almost all cryptocurrency exchanges began to implement the necessary functionality for trading bitcoin futures and other derivatives, which again can significantly complicate the choice of a trading platform for beginners and experienced traders. Next, we will look at 14 different cryptocurrency exchanges with support for derivatives, compare them in terms of trading volume, types of futures, the number of pairs traded, margin and commissions. This will allow you to choose a trading platform much faster to suit your requirements.

Trading platforms with support for cryptocurrency futures and options.

* Data on the trading volume for 09/01/2020

In addition to the considered cryptocurrency trading platforms, there are also classic futures markets where cryptocurrency futures trading is also possible: CME, CBOE, BAKKT. Only licensed traders have access to such sites, so we did not include them in our list. Moreover, the trading volume for the only available BTC / USD pair on them does not exceed 350,000,000 USD (CME), which is 10 times lower than on the Binance cryptocurrency exchange.

TOP cryptocurrency exchanges with support for Derivatives are ranked by trading volumes in the futures market, where the undisputed leader is Binance, which is also the leader in spot trading of cryptocurrencies. If in spot trading and other cryptocurrency services Binance is unconditionally the leader, then in futures trading this exchange has not the most favorable conditions and opportunities. Binance has some of the highest trading commissions, the types of futures are limited only to perpetual and quarterly, with quarterly futures currently only 4 pairs available for trading.

The second most popular exchange BitMex, in addition to perpetual and quarterly futures, also has weekly, two-quarter and Quanto. But the set of traded pairs is not the largest from the list presented. It should also be noted that for trading, it is necessary to pass identity verification, despite the fact that the exchange is P2P.

Huobi Global ranks 3rd in terms of trading volume, which, in addition to term and perpetual futures, also offers options. Among the advantages, one should also note a large selection of traded pairs and profitable commissions. On the negative side, trading requires mandatory verification.

The FTX exchange excelled in the maximum number of futures traded pairs, offering a total of 65 trading pairs. Another advantage of this marketplace is 0% (Maker) commission until the end of 2020.

If you are a supporter of anonymous trading, then you should pay attention to the BaseFex and dYdX exchanges - anonymous cryptocurrency trading is one of the basic principles of this exchange. Although most other companies declare the possibility of trading without going through KYC, but all the same, you will most likely face certain restrictions on the functionality and volume of input/output.