What are the limits on position size for Coinbase futures?

Coinbase Futures enforces asset-specific position size limits that vary by account tier, with Pro users allowed up to 100 BTC or 500 ETH—check your limit in the Futures tab before trading.

Jul 23, 2025 at 06:15 am

Understanding Position Size Limits on Coinbase Futures

Coinbase Futures, offered through the Coinbase Advanced Trade platform, allows traders to engage in leveraged trading using perpetual contracts. Each futures contract has defined maximum position size limits that vary depending on the asset, market conditions, and your account tier. These limits are enforced to manage risk and ensure market stability. For example, the BTC-USD perpetual contract may allow a maximum position size of 100 BTC for users with a verified Pro account, while smaller assets like ADA-USD might cap at 500,000 ADA. These figures are not static—they can change based on liquidity, volatility, and regulatory requirements.

How Account Verification Affects Position Limits

Your verification level directly impacts the position size you can open. Coinbase uses a tiered system:

• Tier 1 (Basic): Limited access to futures; position sizes capped at a fraction of Tier 3 limits.
• Tier 2 (Intermediate): Higher limits, often requiring ID verification and proof of address.
• Tier 3 (Pro): Full access to futures trading with the highest position size allowances.
  To upgrade, go to your Coinbase account settings, select "Verify Identity," and follow the prompts. Each tier requires submitting specific documents, such as a government-issued ID, selfie verification, and sometimes proof of income. Missing documentation will restrict your position size regardless of your trading intent.
  

  Asset-Specific Position Size Caps

  
  Not all futures contracts have the same limits. Coinbase publishes these caps in the futures contract specifications. For instance:
• ETH-USD: Max position size of 500 ETH
• SOL-USD: Max position size of 5,000 SOL
• XRP-USD: Max position size of 250,000 XRP
  These caps are visible in the trading interface under the "Contract Details" section. Always check this before placing a large order, as exceeding the limit will result in an error message like “Position size exceeds allowable limit.” The caps are recalculated every 24 hours based on average open interest and volatility metrics.
  

  How to Check Your Current Position Size Limit

  
  To view your personal limit:
• Navigate to the Futures tab on Coinbase Advanced Trade
• Select the specific contract (e.g., BTC-USD)
• Click on “Position” in the top panel
• Your current position size and maximum allowable size will be displayed
  If the max size appears grayed out or shows “0,” your account tier may not support that contract yet. This real-time display updates instantly when you adjust leverage or open/close positions. No manual refresh is needed.
  

  Steps to Increase Your Position Size Limit

  
  If you need a higher limit:
• Ensure your account is at Tier 3 (Pro) verification
• Contact Coinbase Support via the Help Center and request a limit increase
• Submit a formal request including your trading history and risk management strategy
• Wait for Coinbase Risk Team to review (typically 3–5 business days)
  Do not attempt to bypass limits using multiple accounts, as this violates Coinbase’s Terms of Service and may result in account suspension. The increase is granted only if your trading behavior shows responsible leverage usage and consistent margin maintenance.
  

  Leverage and Its Impact on Effective Position Size

  
  Leverage multiplies your effective position size without changing the contract limit. For example, with 10x leverage on a 1 BTC position, your effective exposure is 10 BTC—but the contract still counts it as 1 BTC toward the position cap. This means leverage does not bypass position size limits. However, higher leverage increases liquidation risk. Always calculate your liquidation price using the formula:
  Liquidation Price = Entry Price × (1 - (Maintenance Margin Rate / Leverage))
  For a 1 BTC long at $60,000 with 10x leverage and 5% maintenance margin, liquidation occurs at $57,000.
  

  Frequently Asked Questions

  
  Can I trade multiple futures contracts to exceed my single-contract limit?
  Yes, but each contract has its own cap. You cannot combine BTC-USD and ETH-USD positions to bypass BTC’s individual limit. Each is tracked separately.
  

  Why did my position size limit decrease overnight?
  
  Coinbase adjusts limits based on market volatility. If BTC’s price swings exceeded 10% in 24 hours, the system may reduce max position size to mitigate systemic risk.

  Is there a minimum position size on Coinbase Futures?
  
  Yes. For BTC-USD, the minimum is 0.001 BTC. Smaller assets like DOGE-USD require at least 100 DOGE. These are fixed and non-negotiable.

  Do position size limits apply to limit orders or only market orders?
  
  Limits apply to all order types. A limit order for 150 BTC on a contract capped at 100 BTC will be rejected immediately upon submission.