What are the specifications of Kraken futures contracts?

Kraken futures allow leveraged trading on crypto price movements with cash settlement, fixed contract sizes, and 8-hour funding rates to align prices.

Aug 11, 2025 at 09:01 pm

Understanding Kraken Futures Contracts

Kraken futures contracts are financial derivatives that allow traders to speculate on the future price of cryptocurrencies without owning the underlying asset. These contracts are standardized agreements to buy or sell a specific cryptocurrency at a predetermined price on a set date in the future. Traders use these instruments for hedging, leverage trading, or gaining exposure to price movements. Each futures contract on Kraken is defined by a set of specific technical and financial specifications that govern how the contract operates, including contract size, settlement method, leverage options, and expiration dates.

Contract Size and Underlying Assets

The contract size on Kraken futures refers to the amount of the underlying cryptocurrency each contract represents. For example, Kraken offers futures for BTC/USD, ETH/USD, and other major crypto pairs, with each BTC futures contract typically representing 1 Bitcoin. This means when a trader opens one BTC/USD futures contract, they are entering a position equivalent to 1 BTC. For ETH/USD, the contract size is usually 10 Ether per contract. These standardized sizes ensure clarity and consistency in trading. Traders must be aware of the exact contract multiplier for each instrument, as it directly impacts profit and loss calculations. Contract sizes are fixed and published in Kraken’s official futures documentation, accessible through the trading platform or API.

Leverage and Margin Requirements

Kraken allows traders to use leverage when trading futures, enabling them to control larger positions with a smaller amount of capital. The available leverage varies depending on the contract and market conditions, typically ranging from 2x to 50x. Higher leverage increases both potential gains and risks. To open a leveraged position, traders must deposit initial margin, which is a percentage of the total contract value. For example, with 10x leverage, the initial margin requirement is approximately 10% of the position’s value. Maintenance margin, the minimum equity required to keep a position open, is also enforced. If the account balance falls below this level due to adverse price movements, a margin call or liquidation may occur. Kraken uses a cross-margin system by default, where the entire account balance acts as collateral, though isolated margin modes may be available in certain cases.

Settlement and Expiration Mechanics

Kraken futures contracts are cash-settled, meaning no physical delivery of cryptocurrency takes place upon expiration. Instead, profits or losses are settled in USD based on the difference between the entry price and the final settlement price. The settlement price is derived from a volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of the underlying spot market over a specific time window before expiration, typically the last hour. Futures contracts on Kraken come with fixed expiration dates, commonly offered in weekly, bi-weekly, and quarterly cycles. Traders must close or roll over their positions before expiration if they wish to maintain exposure. Failure to act results in automatic settlement at the determined price.

Trading Fees and Funding Rates

Kraken applies a fee structure that includes taker and maker fees for futures trading. Maker fees are charged when a trader places a limit order that adds liquidity to the order book, while taker fees apply when an order is executed immediately against existing liquidity. These fees are generally lower than spot trading fees and can be reduced based on the user’s 30-day trading volume. Additionally, perpetual futures contracts on Kraken involve funding rates, which are periodic payments exchanged between long and short position holders to align the futures price with the spot price. Funding occurs every 8 hours and is calculated based on the difference between the perpetual contract price and the index price. If the funding rate is positive, longs pay shorts; if negative, shorts pay longs. This mechanism prevents prolonged price divergence.

Order Types and Execution Parameters

Kraken supports multiple order types for futures trading, including limit, market, stop-market, stop-limit, and take-profit orders. Each order type serves a specific purpose in risk management and strategy execution. For instance, a limit order allows traders to set a specific price at which they are willing to enter or exit a position. A market order executes immediately at the best available price. Stop orders trigger a market or limit order when a specified price is reached, useful for limiting losses. Orders are executed on Kraken’s matching engine, which operates with microsecond-level precision. The platform also provides liquidation price indicators and real-time margin monitoring tools to help traders manage risk effectively. All order parameters must be configured correctly to avoid unintended executions.

Platform Access and Interface Setup

To trade Kraken futures, users must first access the Kraken Futures platform, which is integrated into the main Kraken website and available via a dedicated interface. The process begins by logging into a verified Kraken account with futures trading enabled. Users must complete identity verification and agree to the futures terms. Once approved, navigate to the "Futures" tab in the dashboard. Select the desired contract (e.g., BTC/USD quarterly) and choose between cross or isolated margin mode if available. Configure leverage using the leverage slider, ensuring it aligns with risk tolerance. The trading interface displays real-time order book data, price charts, open positions, and margin details. Traders can place orders by entering quantity, price, and order type. It is critical to review all parameters before confirming, as futures trades are binding and subject to rapid market movements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does Kraken determine the index price for futures contracts?
The index price is calculated using a weighted average of the spot prices from multiple trusted exchanges, including Kraken’s own spot market. This composite price prevents manipulation and ensures fair valuation for funding and liquidation calculations.

Q: Can I close a futures position before expiration?

Yes, traders can close their futures positions at any time before expiration by placing an offsetting trade. For example, a long position can be closed by entering a short position of the same size.

Q: What happens if my position gets liquidated?

If the margin balance falls below the maintenance threshold, Kraken automatically liquidates the position to prevent further losses. The system closes the trade at the best available market price, and any remaining margin is returned to the account.

Q: Are there minimum account balance requirements for futures trading?

Kraken does not impose a strict minimum balance, but traders must have sufficient funds to meet the initial margin requirement for the desired contract and leverage level. Small accounts may be limited in the contracts they can trade.