Kraken multi-collateral futures guide

Kraken’s multi-collateral futures let traders use assets like BTC, ETH, and SOL as margin, improving capital efficiency and reducing the need to convert to stablecoins.

Jul 27, 2025 at 10:36 am

What Are Multi-Collateral Futures on Kraken?

Multi-collateral futures on Kraken allow traders to post various supported cryptocurrencies as collateral when opening futures positions. Unlike traditional futures that require a single asset (like USDT or USD Coin) for margin, Kraken’s system enables users to use assets such as ETH, BTC, DOT, SOL, and ADA as margin. This flexibility reduces the need to convert holdings into stablecoins and helps preserve exposure to native assets while trading derivatives. Traders benefit from higher capital efficiency, especially during volatile market conditions where converting assets might incur slippage or fees.

Supported Collateral Assets

Kraken supports a growing list of cryptocurrencies as collateral for futures trading. Each asset has a specific collateral weight, which determines how much of its value counts toward margin requirements. For example:

• BTC might have a 95% collateral weight — meaning $1,000 worth of BTC counts as $950 in usable margin.
• ETH may be weighted at 90%.
• Altcoins like DOT or SOL could have weights between 70–85%, depending on volatility and liquidity.
  

  These weights are updated dynamically based on market conditions. Users can view current collateral weights in the Kraken Futures dashboard under “Account Overview” → “Collateral Summary.” This transparency ensures traders know exactly how much margin their holdings provide before entering a position.

  How to Enable Multi-Collateral Margin on Kraken

  
  To start using multi-collateral futures, follow these steps:
• Navigate to the Kraken Futures trading interface at futures.kraken.com.
• Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner and select “Settings.”
• Under the “Margin” tab, toggle on “Use Multi-Collateral Margin.”
• Confirm the change via email or two-factor authentication (2FA).
• Deposit any supported asset into your Futures Wallet via the “Transfer” section.
  

  Once enabled, all eligible assets in your Futures Wallet will automatically be considered for margin. No manual selection is needed — the system aggregates available collateral based on real-time weights and applies it across open positions.

  Placing a Futures Trade Using Multiple Collateral Types

  
  When opening a new futures contract, Kraken automatically calculates your total available margin by summing the weighted value of all supported assets. For example:
• You hold $5,000 in ETH (90% weight) and $3,000 in SOL (80% weight).
• Your effective margin becomes ($5,000 × 0.90) + ($3,000 × 0.80) = $4,500 + $2,400 = $6,900.
  

  This $6,900 can then be used to open positions across any futures pair (e.g., BTC/USD, ETH/USD). The platform displays your current margin utilization percentage next to each trade ticket. If you exceed your margin limit, the order will be rejected with a clear error message indicating insufficient collateral.

  Managing Risk with Mixed Collateral

  
  Because multi-collateral margin uses multiple assets, risk exposure becomes more complex. A sharp drop in one collateral asset (like SOL) could reduce your total margin and trigger a liquidation even if other assets (like BTC) remain stable. To manage this:
• Monitor the “Portfolio Risk” tab daily to see how each asset contributes to your margin buffer.
• Use the “Collateral Rebalancing” tool to manually transfer assets between Spot and Futures wallets if one asset’s weight drops unexpectedly.
• Set stop-loss orders not just on your futures positions but also consider hedging large collateral positions separately using spot or options markets.
  

  Kraken provides alerts via email and in-app notifications when your margin ratio falls below 20%. These warnings give you time to add more collateral or reduce position size before forced liquidation occurs.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Can I disable multi-collateral margin after enabling it?
  
  Yes. Go to Settings → Margin and toggle off “Use Multi-Collateral Margin.” Once disabled, only USDT and USD Coin will be accepted as margin. Any non-stablecoin assets in your Futures Wallet will remain there but won’t count toward margin until re-enabled.

  Does Kraken charge fees for using multi-collateral margin?
  
  No. There are no additional fees for using multiple assets as collateral. Trading fees, funding rates, and withdrawal fees remain unchanged regardless of which assets you use as margin.

  What happens if an asset loses its collateral eligibility?
  
  Kraken may remove an asset from the collateral list due to low liquidity, high volatility, or security concerns. If this occurs, the asset will stop contributing to your margin immediately. You’ll receive a notification and must either add new collateral or close positions to avoid liquidation.

  Is leverage affected when using multiple collateral types?
  
  No. Leverage (e.g., 5x, 10x, 50x) is applied per-position and is independent of the collateral mix. However, your maximum allowable leverage may vary based on your overall margin health, which includes the quality of your collateral basket.