What is maintenance margin on Bitstamp?

On Bitstamp, maintenance margin is the minimum equity needed to keep leveraged trades open—fall below it and your position may be partially or fully liquidated to prevent further losses.

Jul 23, 2025 at 10:08 am

Understanding Maintenance Margin on Bitstamp

Maintenance margin on Bitstamp refers to the minimum amount of equity that must be maintained in your margin trading account to keep your leveraged positions open. If your account balance falls below this threshold due to adverse price movements, Bitstamp may issue a margin call or automatically liquidate part or all of your position. This mechanism protects both the trader and the exchange from excessive losses. Unlike initial margin—which is the amount required to open a leveraged trade—maintenance margin acts as a safety net once the trade is active.

How Maintenance Margin Differs from Initial Margin

On Bitstamp, initial margin is the upfront collateral needed to open a leveraged position, typically expressed as a percentage of the total position size. For example, with 5x leverage, you might need to deposit 20% of the trade value as initial margin. In contrast, maintenance margin is a lower percentage—say 5% to 10%—that must remain in your account after opening the trade. If your equity dips below this level, Bitstamp’s system flags the account for potential liquidation. It’s crucial to distinguish these two because failing to monitor maintenance margin can result in unexpected closures of your trades.

Calculating Maintenance Margin on Bitstamp

To calculate your maintenance margin requirement:

• Identify the maintenance margin ratio for the specific asset pair (e.g., BTC/USD may have a 5% maintenance margin).
• Multiply this ratio by the total position size.
• Ensure your account equity (balance + unrealized P&L) stays above this value.
  

  For instance:

  • If you hold a $10,000 BTC/USD position and the maintenance margin is 5%, you must maintain at least $500 in equity.
  • If losses reduce your equity to $450, Bitstamp may trigger a liquidation or margin call depending on their real-time risk management rules.

  Step-by-Step: Monitoring Maintenance Margin on Bitstamp

• Log in to your Bitstamp account and navigate to the “Trading” section.
• Select the margin trading tab to view open positions.
• Locate the “Maintenance Margin” column or hover over position details to see the required threshold.
• Check your “Account Equity” in real time—it updates with market price changes.
• Set up email or SMS alerts under “Account Settings > Notifications” to receive warnings when equity nears the maintenance margin level.
  

  This proactive monitoring helps avoid forced liquidations. Bitstamp’s interface displays these values dynamically, so always review them before entering or holding a leveraged trade.

  What Happens When Maintenance Margin Is Breached?

  
  If your account equity falls below the maintenance margin level:
• Bitstamp issues a margin call, notifying you to deposit additional funds or reduce your position size.
• If no action is taken and the equity continues to drop, the system may automatically liquidate part or all of your position to cover the shortfall.
• Liquidation occurs at the current market price, which may not be favorable, potentially amplifying losses.
  

  Bitstamp uses a cascading liquidation process—starting with the least profitable parts of your position—to minimize market impact while protecting the platform from negative balances.

  Strategies to Avoid Breaching Maintenance Margin

• Use stop-loss orders to cap potential losses before they erode your equity.
• Avoid over-leveraging; lower leverage (e.g., 2x or 3x) increases your buffer against price swings.
• Regularly top up your margin account if you anticipate high volatility in the asset you’re trading.
• Monitor open positions during major news events or high-volume trading periods when slippage and rapid price moves are common.
  

  These steps help maintain a healthy distance between your equity and the maintenance margin floor, reducing the risk of forced exits.

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  Frequently Asked Questions

  Does Bitstamp notify me before liquidation due to low maintenance margin?
  
  Yes, Bitstamp sends alerts via email or SMS (if enabled) when your equity approaches the maintenance margin level. These are not guarantees but early warnings to take action—like adding funds or closing part of the position—to prevent liquidation.

  Can I add funds to my margin account after receiving a margin call?
  
  Absolutely. You can deposit funds instantly into your Bitstamp account and transfer them to your margin wallet. This increases your equity and may bring it back above the maintenance margin threshold, stopping further liquidation actions.

  Is maintenance margin the same for all cryptocurrencies on Bitstamp?
  
  No. Bitstamp sets different maintenance margin ratios based on asset volatility and liquidity. For example, Bitcoin might have a 5% maintenance margin, while a less liquid altcoin could require 10% or more. Always check the specific ratio for each trading pair in the margin trading section.

  What happens to my remaining funds if only part of my position is liquidated?
  
  If partial liquidation occurs, Bitstamp closes just enough of your position to restore the required maintenance margin level. Your remaining funds and open positions stay intact, and you retain control over them—unless further price movement again breaches the threshold.