KuCoin Futures maximum leverage

KuCoin Futures lets you use up to 125x leverage on major coins like BTC and ETH, amplifying both gains and losses — always check asset-specific limits and liquidation risks before trading.

Jul 25, 2025 at 06:50 am

What Is Leverage in KuCoin Futures?

Leverage in KuCoin Futures allows traders to open positions larger than their account balance by borrowing funds from the exchange. This amplifies both potential gains and losses. For example, with 10x leverage, a $100 deposit can control a $1,000 position. The key is understanding how much risk you're taking on — higher leverage means higher risk. KuCoin supports different leverage levels depending on the asset and contract type, but users must manually adjust it before opening a trade.

Maximum Leverage on KuCoin Futures Contracts

KuCoin Futures offers up to 125x leverage for certain perpetual and quarterly contracts, primarily on major cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, and BNB. However, this maximum is not universally applied — it depends on the specific trading pair and market conditions. For instance:

• BTC/USDT perpetual: Up to 125x
• ETH/USDT perpetual: Up to 100x
• Altcoin pairs (e.g., SOL/USDT): Often capped at 50x or lower
  

  To check the exact max leverage for a pair:

  • Navigate to the Futures trading interface
  • Select the contract
  • Look for the leverage slider or input box near the order form
  • Hover over or click the info icon (ℹ️) next to it for asset-specific limits

  How to Adjust Leverage on KuCoin Futures

  
  Changing leverage on KuCoin is done per-position and must be set before placing an order. If you already have an open position, you can modify leverage only if no other positions exist for that symbol. Here’s how:
• Go to the Futures trading page
• Choose Isolated or Cross margin mode
• Select your desired contract (e.g., BTC/USDT)
• In the order panel, locate the leverage input field
• Click the dropdown or type a value (e.g., 50x)
• Confirm the change via pop-up prompt
  

  Important: If you’re using Isolated Margin, leverage affects only that position. In Cross Margin, changes impact your entire balance’s liquidation risk.

  Isolated vs Cross Margin: Impact on Leverage

  
  KuCoin offers two margin modes that directly influence how leverage behaves:
• Isolated Margin: Leverage is fixed per position. If liquidated, only the allocated margin is lost. Ideal for testing high leverage safely.
• Cross Margin: Leverage uses your entire wallet balance as collateral. Higher flexibility but greater liquidation risk across all positions.
  

  To switch between them:

  • While placing an order, find the margin mode toggle
  • Select Isolated or Cross
  • Set your leverage accordingly
  • Place the order

  Note: You cannot change margin mode on an open position — you must close it first.

  Risk Warnings and Liquidation Price Calculation

  
  High leverage increases liquidation risk. KuCoin displays a real-time liquidation price based on your leverage, entry price, and fees. For example:
• Long position at $60,000 with 100x leverage
• Maintenance margin rate: 0.5%
• Liquidation occurs if price drops to ~$59,700
  

  To view liquidation price:

  • After setting leverage and order size, look below the order panel
  • A red line or number shows estimated liquidation price
  • Use the calculator icon to simulate different leverage levels

  Critical: Always leave a buffer between current price and liquidation price — slippage or volatility can trigger liquidation faster than expected.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Can I use 125x leverage on all KuCoin Futures contracts?
  
  No. Only select major pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT support 125x. Most altcoin contracts are limited to 50x or less. Always verify the max leverage in the order panel before trading.

  What happens if I exceed the max leverage allowed for a contract?
  
  KuCoin will reject your order. The system validates leverage limits in real time — if you input 130x on a 125x-max pair, an error message appears: “Leverage exceeds maximum allowed.”

  Does leverage affect trading fees on KuCoin Futures?
  
  No. Fees are based on taker/maker status and 30-day volume, not leverage. However, higher leverage increases position size, so the absolute fee amount (in USD) may rise even if the percentage stays the same.

  Can I change leverage after opening a position?
  
  Only if no other positions exist for that symbol. If you have an open BTC/USDT long, you must close it before adjusting leverage for a new BTC/USDT trade. This prevents conflicting margin calculations.