What are the best strategies for trading Bybit contracts?

Bybit offers USDT and coin-margined perpetual contracts with up to 100x leverage, allowing traders to go long or short on crypto without owning assets.

Aug 10, 2025 at 02:08 am

Understanding Bybit Perpetual Contracts

Bybit offers perpetual contracts, a type of derivative that allows traders to speculate on the price movement of cryptocurrencies without owning the underlying asset. These contracts do not have an expiration date, enabling positions to be held indefinitely as long as margin requirements are met. Traders can go long (buy) if they anticipate price increases or short (sell) if they expect declines. Each contract is denominated in a base cryptocurrency like BTC or ETH and settled in USDⓈ using USDT-margined contracts, or in the base coin for coin-margined contracts. It’s essential to understand leverage, which amplifies both gains and losses. Bybit allows leverage up to 100x on certain pairs, but higher leverage increases liquidation risk.

Choosing the Right Leverage and Position Size

One of the most critical strategies is managing leverage and position size effectively. New traders often over-leverage, which can lead to rapid liquidation during volatile market swings. A prudent approach involves using lower leverage (5x to 10x) combined with tight risk management. To calculate position size:

• Determine the maximum amount of capital you are willing to risk per trade, typically 1% to 2% of your total account balance.
• Identify your entry point and set a stop-loss level based on technical analysis.
• Use the formula:
  Position Size = (Risk Amount) / (Entry Price – Stop-Loss Price)
  
  This ensures you are not overexposed.
• Adjust leverage to fit the desired position size without exceeding margin limits.

For example, if your account has $10,000 and you risk $100 per trade, with a stop-loss 2% below entry on BTC at $60,000, your position size should reflect that difference. Bybit’s position calculator in the trading interface can assist with this.

Utilizing Stop-Loss and Take-Profit Orders

Effective use of stop-loss (SL) and take-profit (TP) orders is fundamental to sustainable trading. Bybit allows both limit and market orders for these functions. To set them:

• After placing an entry order, click the “SL/TP” checkbox in the order panel.
• For a long position, set the stop-loss below support levels and take-profit near resistance.
• For a short, place stop-loss above resistance and take-profit at support.
• Consider using trailing stop-loss, which automatically adjusts as the price moves favorably, locking in profits during trends.

Bybit supports conditional orders (formerly known as stop orders), which can trigger entries when price reaches a specified level. These are useful for breakout or reversal strategies. Ensure you select the correct trigger price type: Last Price, Mark Price, or Index Price, as this affects when the order executes. Mark Price is recommended to avoid liquidation due to price manipulation.

Applying Technical Analysis for Entry and Exit Signals

Successful contract trading on Bybit relies heavily on technical analysis (TA). Traders should monitor key indicators and chart patterns:

• Use candlestick patterns like engulfing bars or doji to identify potential reversals.
• Apply moving averages (MA) such as the 50-period and 200-period to determine trend direction. A golden cross (50 MA crossing above 200 MA) may signal a long opportunity.
• Incorporate Relative Strength Index (RSI) to detect overbought (>70) or oversold (<30) conditions.
• Combine with Bollinger Bands to assess volatility and potential breakouts.
• Draw support and resistance levels manually or use Fibonacci retracement tools after significant price moves.

For instance, if BTC is approaching a strong resistance level at $65,000 with RSI above 70, it may be a signal to initiate a short position with a stop-loss above the resistance. Conversely, a bullish engulfing pattern at a support zone with RSI below 30 could justify a long entry.

Leveraging Bybit’s Copy Trading and Funding Rate Insights

Bybit provides advanced tools like Copy Trading, where users can mirror positions of experienced traders. To use this:

• Navigate to the Copy Trading section on the Bybit platform.
• Review trader performance metrics: PnL, win rate, number of followers, and maximum drawdown.
• Select a trader whose risk profile aligns with yours.
• Set a copy ratio (e.g., 10% of your balance per copied trade) to manage exposure.
• Monitor copied trades and adjust settings as needed.

Additionally, analyze the funding rate, which is exchanged between long and short traders every 8 hours. A high positive funding rate suggests excessive long positions, potentially indicating overbought conditions and a possible correction. Conversely, a negative funding rate may signal bearish sentiment. Traders can use this data to go against the crowd or confirm trend strength.

Managing Risk with Hedging and Portfolio Diversification

Hedging allows traders to reduce risk by opening opposite positions on the same or correlated assets. On Bybit:

• Open both long and short positions simultaneously in Hedge Mode (switch from One-Way Mode in settings).
• For example, hold a long BTC/USDT position while shorting ETH/USDT if you expect Bitcoin to outperform Ethereum.
• Use cross-margin mode cautiously, as losses in one position can affect others.
• Allocate capital across different assets to avoid concentration risk.

Always monitor your liquidation price, visible in the position panel. Ensure your available balance covers potential drawdowns. Use partial close features to secure profits without exiting entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Cross Margin and Isolated Margin on Bybit?
Cross Margin uses your entire wallet balance as collateral for a position, reducing the chance of liquidation but risking more capital. Isolated Margin limits risk to a specific amount allocated to the position, offering better control over exposure.

How do I avoid liquidation on Bybit?

Maintain a healthy maintenance margin ratio, avoid over-leveraging, set stop-loss orders, and monitor your liquidation price. Increasing margin manually during drawdowns can also prevent liquidation.

Can I trade Bybit contracts with a small account?

Yes, Bybit allows minimum order sizes as low as 1 USDT for USDT-margined contracts. Use low leverage and strict risk management to preserve capital.

What timeframes are best for trading Bybit contracts?

It depends on strategy. Scalpers use 1m–5m charts, day traders prefer 15m–1h, and swing traders analyze 4h–daily charts. Align timeframe with your risk tolerance and availability.