How to calculate PnL on Bitstamp contracts?

Understanding PnL on Bitstamp requires knowing contract type (linear/inverse), using correct formulas for unrealized/realized gains, and accounting for fees and funding rates.

Jul 24, 2025 at 01:49 pm

Understanding PnL in Bitstamp Futures Trading

When trading futures contracts on Bitstamp, understanding how to calculate Profit and Loss (PnL) is essential for managing risk and evaluating trading performance. PnL reflects the difference between the entry price of a contract and the current or exit price. On Bitstamp, futures contracts are typically inverse or linear, and the PnL calculation varies based on the contract type and whether the position is still open (unrealized PnL) or has been closed (realized PnL).

For inverse futures, the PnL is denominated in the base cryptocurrency (e.g., BTC), while for linear futures, it’s denominated in fiat or stablecoins like USD. Traders must identify the contract type before proceeding with calculations. Bitstamp provides this information in the contract specifications. Misidentifying the contract type can lead to incorrect PnL estimates, affecting risk assessment.

Calculating Unrealized PnL for Long Positions

Unrealized PnL refers to the profit or loss on an open position, based on the current market price. For a long position in a linear futures contract on Bitstamp, the formula is:

• Unrealized PnL = (Current Mark Price – Entry Price) × Contract Size

Suppose a trader opens a long position for 1 BTC/USD futures contract at $30,000, and the current mark price is $32,000. The unrealized PnL would be:

• ($32,000 – $30,000) × 1 = $2,000

For inverse futures, the calculation differs:

• Unrealized PnL (in BTC) = Contract Size × (1 / Entry Price – 1 / Current Price)

Using the same example with an inverse BTC/USD contract:

• 1 × (1/30,000 – 1/32,000) = 0.000002083 BTC

This value represents the unrealized gain in BTC. Bitstamp’s interface typically displays this automatically, but understanding the underlying math ensures accuracy.

Calculating Unrealized PnL for Short Positions

Short positions reverse the price relationship in PnL calculations. For a linear short futures contract, the formula is:

• Unrealized PnL = (Entry Price – Current Mark Price) × Contract Size

If a trader shorts 1 BTC/USD contract at $35,000 and the current price is $33,000, the unrealized PnL is:

• ($35,000 – $33,000) × 1 = $2,000 profit

For inverse short contracts, the formula becomes:

• Unrealized PnL (in BTC) = Contract Size × (1 / Current Price – 1 / Entry Price)

Using the same prices:

• 1 × (1/33,000 – 1/35,000) ≈ 0.000001735 BTC

This positive value indicates a profit in BTC terms. Traders should note that as the price decreases, short positions gain value, and the inverse calculation accounts for the non-linear relationship between USD and BTC.

Realized PnL After Closing a Position

Once a position is closed, the realized PnL is calculated based on the actual fill prices. For a linear futures contract, the formula remains consistent:

• Realized PnL = (Exit Price – Entry Price) × Position Size × Direction Multiplier

The Direction Multiplier is +1 for longs and –1 for shorts. If a long position of 1 BTC is opened at $30,000 and closed at $34,000:

• ($34,000 – $30,000) × 1 × 1 = $4,000 realized profit

For inverse contracts, the formula adjusts:

• Realized PnL (in BTC) = Contract Size × (1 / Entry Price – 1 / Exit Price)

Using the same prices:

• 1 × (1/30,000 – 1/34,000) ≈ 0.00000392 BTC

This amount is credited to the trader’s wallet upon settlement. Bitstamp deducts funding fees and transaction fees, which must be subtracted from gross PnL to determine net profit.

Accounting for Fees and Funding Rates

To compute accurate net PnL, traders must subtract trading fees and funding payments. Bitstamp charges a taker fee (for market orders) and a maker fee (for limit orders). As of current structure, these fees range from 0.01% to 0.1%, depending on volume tier.

For a $30,000 trade with a 0.05% taker fee:

• Fee = $30,000 × 0.0005 = $15

This fee is deducted from PnL on both entry and exit, totaling $30 in round-trip costs.

Funding rates apply to perpetual contracts and are exchanged between long and short holders every 8 hours. If a trader holds a long position during a positive funding rate, they pay the rate. The formula for funding payment:

• Funding = Nominal Value × Funding Rate

For a $30,000 position with a 0.01% funding rate:

• $30,000 × 0.0001 = $3 paid

These costs reduce net PnL and must be tracked across holding periods.

Step-by-Step Guide to Manual PnL Calculation on Bitstamp

To manually verify PnL on Bitstamp, follow these steps:

• Navigate to the Futures Trading section and locate the specific contract
• Record the entry price, exit price, position size, and direction (long/short)
• Determine whether the contract is linear or inverse from the product details
• Apply the appropriate unrealized or realized PnL formula based on position status
• Retrieve transaction fees from the trade history or fill report
• Check the funding payments log for any applicable charges during the holding period
• Subtract total fees and funding costs from gross PnL to get net PnL

Using a spreadsheet to automate these calculations ensures consistency. Input variables like entry price, exit price, and fees into designated cells, then use formulas to compute results dynamically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where can I find the contract type (linear or inverse) on Bitstamp?

A: The contract type is listed in the contract specifications section of the futures market page. Look for details like "Settlement Asset" — if it’s USD, it’s likely linear; if it’s BTC, it’s inverse.

Q: Does Bitstamp display unrealized PnL in real time?

A: Yes, Bitstamp shows unrealized PnL in the positions tab. It updates based on the latest mark price, which may differ slightly from the last traded price.

Q: How are funding rates determined on Bitstamp futures?

A: Funding rates are calculated based on the price difference between the perpetual contract and the underlying spot index. The rate is updated every 8 hours and published in the funding rate section.

Q: Can I export my trade history for PnL analysis?

A: Yes, Bitstamp allows users to export trade history and funding payments via the account reports section. Use CSV format for import into Excel or accounting software.