What are the trading pairs on Bybit futures?

Bybit offers diverse futures pairs like BTC/USDT and SOL/USDT, with USDT-margined contracts ideal for stablecoin traders and inverse contracts requiring base coin margin.

Jul 26, 2025 at 04:43 pm

Understanding Bybit Futures Trading Pairs

Bybit offers a wide range of futures trading pairs, primarily centered around cryptocurrencies. These pairs allow traders to speculate on price movements using leverage, enabling both long and short positions. The most commonly traded pairs include BTC/USDT, ETH/USDT, and a growing list of altcoin-based contracts such as SOL/USDT, XRP/USDT, and ADA/USDT. Each pair represents a base cryptocurrency (e.g., BTC) against a quote currency—most often the USDT (Tether) stablecoin—which provides consistent pricing and minimizes volatility from the quote side.

How to Access Futures Pairs on Bybit

To locate available trading pairs:

• Log in to your Bybit account
• Navigate to the "Derivatives" tab at the top of the homepage
• Select "USDT Perpetual" or "Inverse Contracts" depending on your preference
• A full list of active pairs will appear in the left-side panel
• Click on any pair (e.g., ETH/USDT) to open its trading interface
  

  Each pair displays real-time data including mark price, 24-hour change, funding rate, and open interest—all essential metrics for informed trading decisions.

  Difference Between USDT-Margined and Inverse Futures

  
  Bybit separates its futures contracts into two categories:
• USDT-Margined Perpetual Contracts: Denoted by a USDT suffix (e.g., BTC/USDT), these use USDT as collateral. Profits and losses are calculated in USDT, making them ideal for traders who prefer stablecoin settlement.
• Inverse Perpetual Contracts: Denoted by a USD suffix (e.g., BTC/USD), these use the base cryptocurrency (BTC) as margin. PnL is calculated in the base coin, which can amplify gains or losses due to price swings in the collateral asset.
  

  Traders must understand that inverse contracts require holding the base coin as margin, while USDT-margined contracts only require USDT, simplifying risk management for many users.

  How to Trade a New Pair Step-by-Step

  
  Let’s say you want to trade the SOL/USDT futures pair:
• Ensure your account has sufficient USDT balance in the futures wallet
• Go to the Derivatives section and select USDT Perpetual
• Click on SOL/USDT from the pair list
• Set your leverage using the slider (e.g., 10x)
• Choose order type: Limit, Market, or Conditional
• Enter quantity and confirm direction (Buy/Long or Sell/Short)
• Review margin requirements and click "Place Order"
  

  The position will appear under “Positions” once filled. Monitor it using tools like Take Profit, Stop Loss, and Trailing Stop for risk control.

  Altcoin Futures Pairs and Their Availability

  
  Bybit frequently adds new altcoin pairs based on market demand and liquidity. As of now, popular altcoin futures include:
• SOL/USDT
• XRP/USDT
• ADA/USDT
• DOT/USDT
• LINK/USDT
  

  These pairs often come with lower maximum leverage compared to BTC or ETH (e.g., 20x vs 100x). Always check the contract specifications page for each pair—this includes funding rate schedule, maintenance margin, and liquidation rules—before entering a trade.

  Funding Rates and Pair-Specific Mechanics

  
  Each futures pair has its own funding rate, which is exchanged between long and short positions every 8 hours (00:00 UTC, 08:00 UTC, 16:00 UTC). This rate ensures the contract price stays close to the spot market. For example:
• If the funding rate for ETH/USDT is +0.01%, longs pay shorts
• If it’s -0.005%, shorts pay longs
  

  Funding rates are visible on the trading interface and impact holding costs—especially important for swing or carry traders. Some pairs may have higher funding volatility during high market activity or news events.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  Q: Can I switch between USDT-margined and inverse contracts for the same coin?
  
  Yes. For example, you can trade both BTC/USDT (USDT-margined) and BTC/USD (inverse) on Bybit. However, the margin type and PnL calculation differ—always verify your margin currency before placing orders.

  Q: How do I know which pairs have the highest liquidity?
  
  Check the “Open Interest” and “24h Volume” columns in the Derivatives section. Higher values indicate better liquidity—BTC/USDT and ETH/USDT typically lead in both metrics.

  Q: Are there fees specific to certain pairs?
  
  No. Bybit uses a uniform fee structure across all USDT-margined perpetual pairs: 0.1% maker fee and 0.06% taker fee. Inverse pairs follow the same model but are charged in the base coin.

  Q: What happens if a pair gets delisted?
  
  Bybit provides advance notice (usually 7–14 days). You must close positions before the deadline; otherwise, they’ll be auto-liquidated at the prevailing market price. Always monitor announcements in the "Notice Center" on Bybit.