What is a cash and carry arbitrage strategy with crypto futures?

Cash and carry arbitrage in crypto involves buying a cryptocurrency at the spot price while selling its futures contract to profit from price differences.

Jul 17, 2025 at 10:36 am

Understanding the Basics of Arbitrage in Cryptocurrency

Arbitrage is a trading strategy that exploits price differences of an asset across different markets. In the context of cryptocurrency, this means buying a digital asset on one exchange where it's priced lower and simultaneously selling it on another exchange where it's priced higher. The goal is to capture the price discrepancy for risk-free profit.

One specialized form of arbitrage, particularly relevant in crypto derivatives markets, is cash and carry arbitrage. This strategy involves taking positions in both the spot market and the futures market. Traders buy the underlying asset (e.g., Bitcoin or Ethereum) while simultaneously selling the related futures contract. This allows them to lock in a profit based on the difference between the spot price and the futures price.

Important Note:

The success of cash and carry arbitrage hinges on identifying mispricings between the current spot price and the futures price of a cryptocurrency.

How Cash and Carry Arbitrage Works with Crypto Futures

In a typical cash and carry arbitrage scenario involving crypto futures, a trader identifies a situation where the price of a futures contract is significantly higher than the spot price of the underlying cryptocurrency. This condition is known as contango. When this occurs, the trader can implement the following steps:

• Buy the physical cryptocurrency at the current spot price.
• Sell the corresponding futures contract at the higher price.
• Hold the position until the futures contract expires.
• Deliver the purchased cryptocurrency to fulfill the futures contract.

The profit comes from the difference between the purchase price of the spot asset and the sale price of the futures contract, minus any carrying costs such as storage, interest, or fees.

Critical Insight:

Carrying costs must be carefully calculated because they directly impact net profitability.

Executing a Cash and Carry Trade: Step-by-Step Guide

To execute a cash and carry arbitrage trade in the crypto market, follow these detailed steps:

• Monitor Market Conditions: Use arbitrage tracking tools or manually check futures and spot prices across exchanges.
• Select a Cryptocurrency Pair: Choose a crypto asset with a notable difference between its spot and futures prices.
• Purchase the Spot Asset: Buy the cryptocurrency on a spot exchange at the lower price.
• Sell the Futures Contract: Open a short position on the futures exchange at the higher price.
• Hold Until Expiry: Keep the spot asset in your wallet until the futures contract reaches expiration.
• Fulfill Delivery Obligations: Transfer the asset from your wallet to the futures exchange to settle the contract.
• Realize Profit: The net gain is the difference between the two prices, adjusted for transaction and funding costs.

Key Tip:

Ensure that the futures contract you're using supports physical delivery rather than cash settlement.

Risks and Limitations of Cash and Carry Arbitrage

While cash and carry arbitrage may seem like a low-risk opportunity, several factors can erode profits or even lead to losses:

• Liquidity Constraints: If the spot or futures market lacks sufficient liquidity, executing trades at desired prices becomes difficult.
• Exchange Fees: Trading fees, withdrawal fees, and deposit fees can eat into potential gains.
• Timing Delays: Network congestion or slow transaction confirmations can prevent timely execution.
• Volatility: Sudden price swings during the holding period can affect the intended profit margin.
• Regulatory Risks: Regulatory changes may impact futures contracts or impose restrictions on asset transfers.

Essential Consideration:

Always perform a cost-benefit analysis before initiating a cash and carry trade.

Tools and Platforms for Implementing Cash and Carry Arbitrage

Successful implementation of a cash and carry arbitrage strategy requires access to reliable platforms and analytical tools:

• Crypto Exchanges: Binance, Bybit, OKX, and BitMEX offer robust futures markets with spot equivalents.
• TradingView: Provides futures and spot price comparisons across multiple exchanges.
• Arbitrage Bots: Tools like HaasOnline and Gunbot automate arbitrage detection and execution.
• Wallets: Secure wallets such as Ledger or Trust Wallet are essential for storing assets during the holding period.
• Data APIs: Using APIs from exchanges allows real-time monitoring of price discrepancies.

Important Feature:

Real-time data integration is crucial for identifying arbitrage opportunities before they disappear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can cash and carry arbitrage be used with stablecoins?

A1: Yes, but only if there is a significant deviation between the stablecoin’s spot price and its futures price. However, due to their pegged nature, such opportunities are rare and usually very small.

Q2: Is cash and carry arbitrage legal in all jurisdictions?

A2: While arbitrage itself is generally legal, the legality depends on local regulations governing futures trading, cross-border transactions, and taxation policies. Always consult local laws before engaging in such strategies.

Q3: Do I need advanced programming skills to engage in cash and carry arbitrage?

A3: Not necessarily. While algorithmic bots enhance efficiency, manual traders can also execute these strategies by closely monitoring price differences and acting quickly when opportunities arise.

Q4: What happens if the futures contract is cash-settled instead of physically delivered?

A4: In that case, the cash and carry strategy won't work as intended because physical delivery of the asset isn’t required. This limits the ability to lock in a guaranteed profit through delivery.