Are there any fees for futures settlement on OKX?

OKX does not charge futures settlement fees; perpetuals use 8-hour funding payments, while delivery futures settle at expiration using a 30-minute TWA index price.

Aug 08, 2025 at 05:35 am

Understanding Futures Settlement on OKX

Futures settlement on OKX refers to the process by which open futures contracts are automatically closed or marked to market at the end of a specified trading period. This is a standard mechanism in perpetual and quarterly futures markets to ensure price alignment with the underlying asset. On OKX, both perpetual swaps and delivery futures undergo settlement, though the frequency and implications differ. For perpetual contracts, funding payments act as a pseudo-settlement every 8 hours, while delivery futures settle only once at expiration. During settlement, positions are evaluated based on the mark price and index price, preventing manipulation and ensuring fairness.

Types of Futures Contracts and Their Settlement Mechanisms

OKX offers two primary types of futures contracts:

• Perpetual futures
• Delivery (or quarterly) futures
  

  For perpetual futures, there is no traditional settlement in the sense of contract expiration. Instead, these contracts use a funding rate mechanism every 8 hours to align the contract price with the spot market. Traders either pay or receive funding fees depending on whether the market is in contango or backwardation. This is not a settlement fee but a periodic transfer between long and short positions.

  In contrast, delivery futures have a fixed expiration date—typically quarterly—and undergo actual settlement at that time. At expiration, all open positions are automatically closed based on the final settlement price, which is derived from a time-weighted average of the index price over a predetermined window. This process ensures accuracy and reduces volatility impact.

  Are There Fees Associated with Settlement?

  
  The direct answer is: no, OKX does not charge a settlement fee for either perpetual or delivery futures contracts. The act of settlement itself—whether it’s the 8-hour funding interval for perpetuals or the final mark for quarterly contracts—does not incur any additional cost from the exchange. However, traders must be aware of related costs that may occur during or around settlement events.
  

  While settlement is free, other transaction-based fees still apply. For example, if a position is closed manually just before settlement, the standard taker or maker fee will apply based on the order type. Additionally, during the funding exchange in perpetuals, traders may pay or receive funding, but this is a peer-to-peer transfer, not a fee collected by OKX.

  Detailed Breakdown of Funding Payments in Perpetuals

  
  Although not a settlement fee, the funding payment is often mistaken as one. On OKX, funding occurs every 8 hours at 00:00 UTC, 08:00 UTC, and 16:00 UTC. The formula used to calculate funding is:
  
  • Funding Amount = Position Value × Funding Rate

  The funding rate is composed of two parts: the interest rate component and the premium component. OKX typically sets the interest rate at 0.01% quarterly (effectively 0% in most cases), while the premium reflects the price difference between the contract and the underlying index.

  Traders holding long positions pay funding when the market is bullish (positive funding rate), while short holders pay when the market is bearish (negative funding rate). These payments are transferred directly between users, and OKX does not take a cut. It is crucial to monitor upcoming funding times, as large positions can result in significant payments or receipts.

  Execution and Mechanics of Delivery Futures Settlement

  
  When a delivery futures contract reaches its expiration, OKX performs the following steps:
• Calculate the final settlement price using a 30-minute time-weighted average of the index price prior to expiration.
• Automatically close all open positions at this price.
• Credit or debit the resulting profit or loss to the trader’s wallet in the settlement currency (e.g., USDT or USD).
  

  During this process:

  • No settlement fee is charged by OKX.
  • Any open limit or stop orders associated with the expired contract are automatically canceled.
  • Positions in profit are credited instantly, while those in loss are deducted from the available balance.

  It is important to note that if a trader fails to close a position before expiration, the automatic settlement will still occur without penalty. However, traders using cross margin should ensure sufficient margin is available to cover potential losses, as negative balances may trigger insurance fund deductions or socialized losses in extreme cases.

  Hidden Costs and Practical Considerations

  
  While OKX does not impose a direct fee for futures settlement, several indirect costs may affect traders:
• Trading fees on closing orders just before settlement.
• Funding payments in perpetuals, which can accumulate over time.
• Slippage during high-volatility settlement periods, especially in low-liquidity contracts.
• Withdrawal fees if profits are moved off the platform after settlement.
  

  Traders using leverage should also be cautious, as settlement can trigger liquidation if the mark price moves sharply during the final valuation window. Monitoring the liquidation price and margin ratio in the hours leading up to settlement is essential.

  Additionally, API users should ensure their systems are configured to handle auto-settlement events, particularly for delivery futures. Failure to account for automatic position closure may result in unintended exposure or missed opportunities in the next contract cycle.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  
  Q: Does OKX charge a fee when a quarterly futures contract expires?
  A: No, OKX does not charge any fee for the expiration or settlement of quarterly futures contracts. The process is automatic and free, though any standard trading fees from closing orders prior to expiration still apply.
  

  Q: Why do I sometimes see a deduction from my account during the 8-hour funding interval?
  
  A: This deduction is a funding payment, not a fee. If you hold a long position during a positive funding rate period, you pay short holders. The amount is calculated based on your position size and the current funding rate, and it is transferred directly between users.

  Q: How is the final settlement price determined for delivery futures?
  
  A: The final settlement price is calculated as the 30-minute time-weighted average (TWA) of the underlying index price, starting 30 minutes before the contract expires. This method reduces the risk of price manipulation and ensures fair valuation.

  Q: Can I avoid funding payments in perpetual futures?
  
  A: Yes, you can avoid funding payments by closing your position before the funding timestamp (00:00, 08:00, or 16:00 UTC). Alternatively, you can hold your position only during periods of negative funding if you are long, allowing you to receive payments instead.