Gate.io contract type comparison: detailed explanation of the difference between perpetual and delivery contracts

Gate.io offers perpetual and delivery contracts for crypto derivatives trading, with key differences in expiration, funding mechanisms, and settlement processes that impact trading strategies and risk management.

Jun 14, 2025 at 07:29 am

Understanding Contract Types on Gate.io

When engaging in cryptocurrency derivatives trading on Gate.io, users are presented with two primary contract types: perpetual contracts and delivery contracts. Each serves a unique purpose and caters to different trading strategies and objectives. Understanding the core differences between these two is essential for traders aiming to optimize their positions.

Perpetual contracts do not have an expiration date, allowing traders to hold positions indefinitely as long as they meet margin requirements. These contracts are pegged to the spot price of the underlying asset through a funding rate mechanism.

Delivery contracts, also known as futures contracts, have a predetermined settlement or delivery date. Upon reaching this date, the contract settles based on the mark price, and traders receive or pay the difference accordingly.

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Funding Rate Mechanism in Perpetual Contracts

The distinguishing feature of perpetual contracts is the funding rate system, which ensures that the contract price stays close to the spot market price.

• Funding Interval: Funding is typically exchanged every 8 hours.
• Calculation: The funding rate is calculated based on the difference between the perpetual contract price and the index price.
• Direction of Payment: If the funding rate is positive, long position holders pay short position holders, and vice versa when it's negative.

This mechanism discourages long-term imbalance between buyers and sellers while maintaining alignment with the underlying asset’s value.

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Settlement Process in Delivery Contracts

Unlike perpetual contracts, delivery contracts settle automatically at a predefined time. This process involves:

• Contract Expiry: Each delivery contract has a specific expiry timestamp listed on the platform.
• Mark Price Determination: At expiry, the final settlement price is derived from the average spot price over a set period before expiration.
• Profit/Loss Calculation: Traders’ PnL is calculated based on the difference between entry price and the settlement price.

After settlement, open positions are closed, and profits or losses are realized immediately.

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Margin Requirements and Risk Exposure

Both contract types require margin to open positions, but the handling of liquidation risks differs significantly.

In perpetual contracts:

• Maintenance Margin: Minimum margin required to keep a position open.
• Funding Impact: Frequent funding payments can erode profits or increase losses over time.

In delivery contracts:

• Time-Bound Exposure: Positions must be managed with an eye toward the expiry date.
• No Funding Fees: No ongoing funding costs, making them suitable for holding until settlement.

Traders should evaluate their risk tolerance and strategy before choosing either contract type.

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Trading Strategies Based on Contract Type

Each contract type supports different trading approaches due to their structural differences.

For perpetual contracts:

• Day Trading: Suitable for intraday traders who don’t want to deal with expiry dates.
• Trend Following: Allows riding long-term trends without worrying about settlement.

For delivery contracts:

• Arbitrage Opportunities: Exploiting price differences between spot and futures markets ahead of expiry.
• Hedging: Used by institutional traders to hedge against price movements during specific periods.

Choosing the appropriate contract depends heavily on the trader’s goals, time horizon, and market outlook.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I switch from a perpetual contract to a delivery contract on Gate.io?

Yes, traders can switch between perpetual and delivery contracts manually via the derivatives section of Gate.io. However, this requires closing the current position before opening a new one in the desired contract type.

Q2: How does the funding fee affect my balance if I hold a perpetual contract overnight?

Funding fees are deducted or added to your wallet balance every 8 hours. Long position holders may pay short holders if the funding rate is positive, reducing your available margin.

Q3: Are delivery contracts more predictable than perpetual contracts?

Delivery contracts offer a fixed settlement timeline, which can make them easier to manage for traders focused on specific events or timelines. However, market volatility before expiry can still impact outcomes.

Q4: Is there a minimum holding period for delivery contracts on Gate.io?

There is no minimum holding period for delivery contracts. Traders can open and close positions anytime before the contract expires.