What is the initial margin and maintenance margin on Gate.io?

On Gate.io, the initial margin is the collateral needed to open a leveraged position—e.g., 10% for 10x leverage—while maintenance margin is the minimum to keep it open, triggering liquidation if breached.

Jul 27, 2025 at 11:00 am

Understanding Initial Margin on Gate.io

When trading futures or leveraged positions on Gate.io, the initial margin is the minimum amount of funds you must deposit to open a leveraged position. This acts as collateral to cover potential losses. The exact percentage depends on the leverage you choose. For example, if you opt for 10x leverage, your initial margin requirement will be 10% of the total position size. If you're trading a $1,000 position at 10x leverage, you’ll need to deposit $100 as your initial margin. Gate.io clearly displays this value in the order placement interface before you confirm the trade. It’s essential to ensure your wallet has sufficient balance in the correct asset (like USDT or BTC) to meet this requirement, or your order will be rejected.

How Maintenance Margin Differs from Initial Margin

The maintenance margin is not the same as the initial margin—it’s the minimum equity you must maintain in your position after opening it. If your position’s value drops and your equity falls below this threshold, you risk a liquidation event. On Gate.io, this is typically a smaller percentage than the initial margin. For instance, a 10x BTC/USDT perpetual contract might require 0.5% maintenance margin. This means if your equity in the position drops to 0.5% of the total position value, the system will automatically close your position to prevent further losses. Unlike the initial margin, which is static at entry, the maintenance margin is dynamic—it changes as the market moves and your unrealized P&L fluctuates.

Step-by-Step: How to Check Margin Requirements on Gate.io

• Log in to your Gate.io account and navigate to the Futures or Margin Trading section.
• Select the specific contract (e.g., BTC/USDT Perpetual).
• Hover over or click the Leverage Selector (usually found near the order form).
• A pop-up or side panel will show both the Initial Margin Rate and Maintenance Margin Rate for each leverage level.
• Confirm these values match your expectations before placing any order.
  

  This real-time visibility ensures you never trade blindly. Gate.io updates these values dynamically based on market volatility and contract rules, so always double-check before executing.

  What Triggers a Liquidation Based on Maintenance Margin?

  
  Liquidation occurs when your wallet equity in a position falls below the maintenance margin level. For example, if your position has a maintenance margin of 0.5% and the market moves against you, your unrealized loss will reduce your equity. Once that equity hits the maintenance threshold, Gate.io’s risk engine will trigger a forced liquidation. This process sells your position at market price to prevent negative balances. You can monitor your liquidation price in the position details tab—it’s shown in real time and updates as the market moves. If your equity is close to the maintenance margin, you may also receive margin call notifications via email or in-app alerts.
  

  How to Avoid Margin Calls and Liquidations

• Always leave a buffer between your current equity and the maintenance margin—don’t trade at the absolute edge.
• Use the “Add Margin” feature in your open position to inject more funds if the market moves against you.
• Set stop-loss orders manually to exit positions before they reach the maintenance margin level.
• Monitor your leverage ratio—higher leverage reduces your buffer and increases liquidation risk even with small price moves.
  

  Gate.io also provides a “Risk Limit” system for high-leverage contracts, which adjusts the maintenance margin based on position size. Larger positions may require higher maintenance margins to discourage excessive risk-taking.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Can I change the initial margin after opening a position?
  
  No. The initial margin is locked at the time of position opening. However, you can add more margin to your position manually to increase your equity buffer and reduce liquidation risk.

  Is the maintenance margin the same for all cryptocurrencies on Gate.io?
  
  No. Different assets have different maintenance margin rates. For example, BTC/USDT might have a 0.5% maintenance margin, while a more volatile altcoin like DOGE/USDT could have 1.0%. Always check the specific contract details.

  What happens if I don’t have enough funds to meet the initial margin?
  
  Your order will be rejected instantly. Gate.io will display an error message such as “Insufficient balance for initial margin.” You must deposit more funds or reduce your position size.

  Does Gate.io charge fees for using initial or maintenance margin?
  
  No. There are no direct fees for holding margin. However, you may incur funding fees if you hold a perpetual futures position past the funding interval (usually every 8 hours). These are separate from margin requirements.