How to enable futures trading on my Coinbase account?

To start futures trading on Coinbase, verify your identity, fund your Futures Wallet, and enable trading permissions in Advanced Trade—available only to U.S. residents. (154 characters)

Jul 26, 2025 at 05:49 pm

Understanding Futures Trading on Coinbase

Futures trading allows users to speculate on the future price of an asset, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, without owning the underlying cryptocurrency. On Coinbase, this feature is not available directly through the standard Coinbase.com interface. Instead, futures trading is offered exclusively through Coinbase Advanced Trade or Coinbase Futures, which is a separate platform designed for more experienced traders. To begin, ensure your account meets the eligibility requirements set by Coinbase, including identity verification (KYC) and residency in a supported country like the United States.

Check Your Account Eligibility

Before enabling futures trading, verify that your Coinbase account is eligible:

• You must have completed Level 2 verification (providing government-issued ID and proof of address).
• Your account must be based in a region where Coinbase Futures is available—currently, only U.S. residents can access this feature.
• You must not be on any restricted list or flagged for suspicious activity.
  If any of these conditions are unmet, visit the “Verify Identity” section under your Account Settings and follow the prompts to submit the necessary documents. This process may take up to 48 hours.
  

  Navigate to Coinbase Advanced Trade

  
  Once verified, access the futures trading interface:
• Log in to your Coinbase account at [coinbase.com](https://www.coinbase.com).
• Click on the “Trade” tab at the top of the page.
• Select “Advanced Trade” from the dropdown menu—this will redirect you to a new trading interface optimized for professional tools.
• In the left-hand menu, look for “Futures” under the “Products” section. If you don’t see it, your region may not support futures yet.
  

  Enable Futures Trading Permissions

  
  Coinbase requires explicit user consent to enable futures trading:
• Go to the Settings icon (gear symbol) in the top-right corner of the Advanced Trade interface.
• Click on “Account” in the sidebar.
• Scroll down to the “Trading Permissions” section.
• Toggle on “Futures Trading”—you may be prompted to re-enter your password or 2FA code.
• After enabling, you’ll see a pop-up explaining the risks involved in leveraged trading. Read this carefully and click “I Understand” to proceed.
  

  Fund Your Futures Wallet

  
  Before placing any trades, you must transfer funds to your futures-specific wallet:
• In the Advanced Trade interface, click on “Assets” in the left menu.
• Locate the “Futures Wallet” tab—this is separate from your standard wallet.
• Click “Deposit” and choose a supported asset (e.g., USDC, ETH, or BTC).
• Select the amount you wish to transfer from your main Coinbase balance.
• Confirm the transaction using your 2FA method—no blockchain fees apply for internal transfers within Coinbase.
• Once the funds appear in your Futures Wallet, you’re ready to open a position.
  

  Place Your First Futures Contract

  
  Now that your account is enabled and funded:
• Navigate to the Futures trading page under the Products menu.
• Choose a contract—e.g., BTC-USD perpetual futures.
• Set your order type: Limit, Market, or Stop-Loss.
• Enter the quantity and leverage (e.g., 5x or 10x—use caution as higher leverage increases risk).
• Review the estimated liquidation price displayed below your order.
• Click “Buy Long” or “Sell Short” depending on your market outlook.
• Confirm the trade using 2FA if prompted.
  

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  Frequently Asked Questions

  Q: Why don’t I see the Futures option in my Advanced Trade menu?
  
  A: The Futures tab only appears if your account is fully verified and located in a supported region (e.g., U.S.). If you’re outside the U.S., Coinbase does not offer futures trading due to regulatory restrictions.

  Q: Can I use my regular Coinbase wallet balance for futures trading?
  
  A: No. You must manually transfer funds to the Futures Wallet within Advanced Trade. This separation prevents accidental use of spot funds in leveraged positions.

  Q: What happens if my futures position gets liquidated?
  
  A: If the market moves against your position and hits the liquidation price, Coinbase will automatically close the trade to prevent further losses. Any remaining margin may be partially or fully lost depending on the market conditions at the time.

  Q: Is there a minimum deposit required to start futures trading on Coinbase?
  
  A: There is no fixed minimum, but you must have enough funds to cover the initial margin requirement for your chosen contract. For example, a 5x leveraged BTC-USD contract might require at least $20 worth of USDC as margin.