What does Poloniex contract mean?

What is Poloniex Contract?

Poloniex, a well-established cryptocurrency exchange, offers a versatile trading platform that caters to both novice and experienced traders. One of its prominent features is the Poloniex contract, which allows users to engage in leveraged trading opportunities.

Leveraged trading involves utilizing borrowed funds to amplify potential profits. It carries both higher rewards and risks compared to traditional spot trading. Understanding the mechanism and implications of Poloniex contracts is crucial for successful trading.

1. Types of Poloniex Contracts

Poloniex contract trading encompasses two main categories:

• Coin Futures: These contracts represent agreements to buy or sell an underlying cryptocurrency asset at a predetermined price on a future date.
• Perpetual Swaps: Unlike coin futures, perpetual swaps do not have a fixed expiry date. They provide traders with the flexibility to maintain their positions indefinitely. Perpetual swaps mimic the price fluctuations of the underlying asset without involving physical delivery.

2. Margin Trading

Poloniex contracts require traders to maintain a margin balance, which serves as collateral for any potential losses. The margin balance can be funded using the trader's own assets or by borrowing funds from the exchange.

3. Leverage Multiplier

Poloniex contracts offer a range of leverage multipliers, allowing traders to control their risk exposure. However, higher leverage magnifies both potential profits and losses. Hence, it is essential to select an appropriate leverage multiplier that aligns with the trader's risk tolerance and trading strategy.

4. Order Types

• Limit Order: A limit order specifies the desired execution price and ensures that the order is executed only when the market reaches that price.
• Market Order: A market order executes immediately at the prevailing market price.
• Stop Market Order: A stop market order becomes active when the market price triggers a predetermined threshold.
• Trailing Stop Market Order: A trailing stop market order adjusts the stop price as the market price fluctuates, maintaining a specified distance.

5. Fees

Poloniex charges a combination of trading fees and funding rates on its contracts. Trading fees vary based on factors such as trading volume and order type. Funding rates adjust periodically to incentivize or discourage holding long or short positions.

6. Risks of Contract Trading

• Leverage Risk: Excessive leverage can exacerbate losses and lead to margin calls if the market moves against the trader's position.
• Volatility Risk: Cryptocurrency markets are inherently volatile, and prices can fluctuate rapidly. Traders must be prepared for sudden price reversals.
• Liquidation Risk: If the trader's margin balance falls below a certain threshold, their position may be liquidated by the exchange to cover potential losses.

7. Strategies for Contract Trading

• Trend Following: Identify and trade in the direction of existing market trends using indicators such as moving averages and Bollinger Bands.
• Range Trading: Capitalize on price fluctuations within defined support and resistance levels by buying at support and selling at resistance.
• Hedging: Use contracts to mitigate risks associated with spot trading or to reduce portfolio volatility.