What are Gate.io perpetual futures?

Gate.io perpetual futures let traders speculate on crypto prices without expiry dates, using leverage up to 100x while managing risk via margin modes, funding rates, and real-time PnL tracking.

Jul 25, 2025 at 10:56 am

Understanding Gate.io Perpetual Futures

Gate.io perpetual futures are derivative trading instruments that allow users to speculate on the price movements of cryptocurrencies without owning the underlying asset. Unlike traditional futures contracts, these do not have an expiration date, enabling traders to hold positions indefinitely—provided they meet margin requirements. This flexibility makes them popular among both short-term and long-term traders. The key mechanism that keeps the contract price aligned with the spot price is the funding rate, which is exchanged between long and short positions at regular intervals (usually every 8 hours).

How Perpetual Futures Work on Gate.io

When trading perpetual futures on Gate.io, users open a position by selecting a leverage level—ranging from 1x to as high as 100x depending on the market. Leverage amplifies both gains and losses, so it must be used carefully. Traders can go long (betting the price will rise) or short (betting it will fall). Each trade is executed against the order book or via market orders, and profits or losses are calculated in real time based on price changes. The system uses mark price rather than the last traded price to reduce liquidation risks caused by market manipulation or slippage.

Step-by-Step Guide to Opening a Perpetual Futures Trade

To begin trading perpetual futures on Gate.io:

• Navigate to the “Futures” tab on the Gate.io website or app
• Select the desired trading pair (e.g., BTC/USDT)
• Choose between cross margin (shared margin across all positions) or isolated margin (margin allocated per position)
• Set your leverage using the slider or input field
• Enter the amount you wish to trade in either contract quantity or USDT value
• Choose order type: limit, market, or conditional (stop-limit, stop-market, take-profit)
• Click “Buy/Long” or “Sell/Short” to execute the trade
  

  Each step must be confirmed carefully. For example, if you choose isolated margin, ensure you allocate enough margin to avoid automatic liquidation when the price moves against you.

  Managing Risk and Avoiding Liquidation

  
  Liquidation occurs when your position’s equity falls below the maintenance margin requirement. Gate.io uses a liquidation price calculator visible in your position panel. To avoid this:
• Monitor your maintenance margin ratio in real time
• Add more margin manually if the price moves unfavorably
• Use stop-loss orders to cap potential losses automatically
• Understand how funding rates affect your position—positive rates mean you pay, negative rates mean you receive
  

  For example, if you hold a long position and the funding rate is positive, you will periodically pay a small fee to short-side traders. This cost accumulates over time and must be factored into your strategy.

  Settling PnL and Withdrawing Profits

  
  Profit and loss (PnL) in perpetual futures is settled in real time based on your unrealized PnL. When you close a position, the realized PnL is credited to your futures wallet. To withdraw profits:
• Go to “Wallet” > “Futures Account”
• Click “Transfer” to move funds to your spot wallet
• From the spot wallet, you can withdraw to an external address or trade elsewhere
• Note that transfers between futures and spot wallets are instant and free
• Ensure your futures account balance is positive before initiating a transfer; negative balances must be covered first
  

  This process ensures that profits are securely moved and accessible for further use.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  What is the difference between cross and isolated margin on Gate.io?
  
  Cross margin uses your entire futures wallet balance as collateral for all open positions, which can help avoid liquidation on one position by using equity from others. Isolated margin assigns a fixed amount of margin to each position, limiting risk per trade but increasing the chance of individual position liquidation.

  How often is the funding rate applied on Gate.io perpetual futures?
  
  Funding is settled every 8 hours at 00:00 UTC, 08:00 UTC, and 16:00 UTC. You can view the next funding time and rate in the contract details section before opening a trade.

  Can I trade Gate.io perpetual futures on mobile?
  
  Yes, the Gate.io mobile app supports full perpetual futures trading, including placing orders, adjusting leverage, and monitoring open positions. All features available on desktop are accessible on iOS and Android apps.

  Is KYC required to trade perpetual futures on Gate.io?
  
  Yes, you must complete identity verification (KYC) to access futures trading. This is a regulatory requirement and helps ensure platform security and compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) policies.