KuCoin Futures minimum deposit

KuCoin Futures allows you to start exploring contracts with $0 deposit—just transfer funds when ready, but remember: minimum margin requirements still apply per trade.

Aug 01, 2025 at 09:57 pm

What Is the Minimum Deposit for KuCoin Futures?

The minimum deposit for KuCoin Futures is 0 USDT or any supported cryptocurrency equivalent. Unlike spot trading, where users must deposit funds to begin trading, KuCoin Futures allows traders to open a futures account without an initial deposit. This is because the futures wallet operates separately from the spot wallet. Users can transfer funds between wallets manually when needed. This flexibility means you can start exploring the futures interface, check contracts, and even simulate strategies without committing capital upfront.

How to Access KuCoin Futures Without Depositing

To begin using KuCoin Futures without a deposit:

• Navigate to the KuCoin website or app and log in.
• Click on the “Futures” tab located in the top navigation bar.
• Select either “USDⓈ-M Futures” or “COIN-M Futures” based on your preference (USDT-margined or crypto-margined contracts).
• You’ll see your futures wallet balance — initially 0 — but you can still browse available contracts, view funding rates, and analyze charts.
• Use the demo trading feature (if enabled) to test strategies risk-free.
  

  This process allows traders to familiarize themselves with leverage settings, liquidation prices, and order types before transferring any real funds.

  Transferring Funds to Your Futures Wallet

  
  Once you’re ready to trade, you must move assets from your spot wallet to your futures wallet. Here’s how:
• Go to the “Assets” section, then click “Transfer”.
• Choose the source wallet (Spot) and destination wallet (Futures).
• Select the cryptocurrency you want to transfer — such as USDT, BTC, ETH, or BNB.
• Enter the amount. There is no minimum transfer amount, but very small amounts may not be practical due to leverage requirements.
• Confirm the transfer using your 2FA method (Google Authenticator, SMS, etc.).
  

  This transfer is instant and free within the same KuCoin account. After the transfer, the funds appear in your futures wallet and are ready for margin trading.

  Understanding Margin Requirements vs. Deposit Size

  
  It’s critical to distinguish between the minimum deposit and the minimum margin required to open a position. Even with a small balance like 1 USDT in your futures wallet, you cannot open a position unless it meets the contract’s margin threshold. For example:
• A BTC/USDT perpetual contract might require a minimum of 0.001 BTC as initial margin at 1x leverage.
• If you’re trading with USDT, the minimum position size might be 10 USDT worth of BTC.
• Leverage settings (e.g., 10x, 20x, 100x) directly affect how much margin is needed — higher leverage reduces the required margin per contract.
  

  These thresholds vary by contract and are clearly shown in the order placement window. Always check the “Minimum Order Size” and “Initial Margin” fields before placing a trade.

  Supported Cryptocurrencies for Futures Deposits

  
  KuCoin Futures accepts several cryptocurrencies for deposits into the futures wallet:
• USDT (Tether) – Most commonly used for USDⓈ-M contracts.
• BTC, ETH, BNB, SOL, and others – Used for both COIN-M and USDⓈ-M contracts depending on the pair.
• Each asset has its own margin rules. For instance, BTC can be used as collateral in both BTC-margined and USDT-margined markets, but USDT cannot be used as margin in COIN-M contracts.
  

  Ensure your chosen asset is supported for the specific futures contract you intend to trade. Unsupported assets in your futures wallet will not count toward margin requirements.

  Fees and Risks When Starting Small

  
  Even with a minimal deposit, consider these factors:
• Funding fees: These are charged every 8 hours for open positions. Small balances can be quickly eroded by negative funding rates.
• Liquidation risk: With low margin, even slight price movements can trigger liquidation, especially at high leverage.
• Trading fees: Taker and maker fees still apply regardless of position size. Check KuCoin’s fee schedule — it’s usually 0.02% for makers and 0.06% for takers.
  

  Always use the liquidation price calculator visible in the order window to assess risk before opening a position.

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  FAQs

  Q: Can I start trading KuCoin Futures with less than 1 USDT?
  
  Yes, you can access the futures interface and view contracts with 0 USDT. However, to open a position, you must meet the minimum margin requirement for the specific contract — which may be more than 1 USDT depending on leverage and asset.

  Q: Is there a fee to transfer funds from spot to futures on KuCoin?
  
  No, internal transfers between spot and futures wallets on KuCoin are completely free and processed instantly.

  Q: Why can’t I open a futures position even after transferring 5 USDT?
  
  The issue likely lies in the minimum order size or initial margin requirement for the contract you’re trying to trade. For example, a BTC/USDT contract may require at least 10 USDT worth of BTC to open a position at 1x leverage.

  Q: Does KuCoin Futures require KYC to deposit or trade?
  
  Yes, you must complete basic KYC verification to enable futures trading. Without KYC, you can view the futures market but cannot transfer funds or open positions.