What are the available trading pairs for Coinbase perpetuals?

Coinbase Perpetuals offer leveraged trading on pairs like BTC-USD, ETH-USD, SOL-USD, and XRP-USD, with dynamic funding rates and up to 10x leverage depending on the asset.

Jul 26, 2025 at 07:07 am

Understanding Coinbase Perpetuals Trading Pairs

Coinbase Perpetuals offer traders the ability to speculate on cryptocurrency price movements without owning the underlying asset. These contracts do not have an expiration date, unlike traditional futures. The available trading pairs are carefully selected based on liquidity, market demand, and regulatory compliance. At the time of writing, Coinbase Perpetuals support a limited but growing set of pairs. The most prominent include BTC-USD, ETH-USD, SOL-USD, and XRP-USD. Each of these pairs allows traders to go long or short using leverage, typically up to 5x or 10x depending on the pair and account tier.

How to Access Perpetual Trading Pairs on Coinbase

To begin trading perpetuals on Coinbase, users must first ensure their account is verified and eligible for derivatives trading. This requires completing identity verification and accepting the terms of service for Coinbase Advanced Trade. Once approved:

• Navigate to the [Coinbase Advanced Trade](https://pro.coinbase.com) interface
• Click on the “Perpetuals” tab in the left-hand menu
• A dropdown will display all active pairs such as BTC-USD and ETH-USD
• Select the desired pair to view order books, funding rates, and open positions
• Deposit USD or the base cryptocurrency (e.g., BTC for BTC-USD) into your Advanced Trade wallet before placing orders
  

  Funding Rates and Their Impact on Trading Pairs

  
  Each perpetual trading pair on Coinbase has a dynamic funding rate that adjusts every 8 hours. This mechanism ensures the perpetual contract price stays close to the spot market price. For example, if the ETH-USD perpetual trades above spot, longs pay shorts the funding rate. If it trades below, shorts pay longs. Traders must monitor these rates because:
• Holding a position during a funding payment incurs or earns fees
• High positive funding can signal over-leveraged long positions
• Negative funding may indicate bearish sentiment
• Rates are displayed directly on the pair’s trading interface in real time
  

  Leverage Options by Trading Pair

  
  Leverage availability varies per pair based on volatility and risk management policies. For instance:
• BTC-USD supports up to 10x leverage for eligible users
• ETH-USD also allows 10x, but only if the user maintains sufficient margin
• SOL-USD and XRP-USD may cap at 5x due to higher volatility
  To adjust leverage:
• Open the desired pair (e.g., SOL-USD)
• Locate the leverage slider near the order entry panel
• Select your preferred level (e.g., 3x, 5x)
• Confirm the change; your margin requirement will update instantly
  Note: Higher leverage increases both profit potential and liquidation risk.
  

  How to Check New or Upcoming Pairs

  
  Coinbase periodically adds new perpetual trading pairs based on community demand and market conditions. To stay updated:
• Visit the official [Coinbase Perpetuals page](https://www.coinbase.com/perpetuals)
• Subscribe to Coinbase emails or enable in-app notifications
• Monitor the “Announcements” section within Advanced Trade
• Follow Coinbase Derivatives on X (formerly Twitter) for real-time updates
  New pairs often launch with limited leverage and require a waiting period before full functionality (e.g., 5x+ leverage) becomes available.
  

  Common Questions About Coinbase Perpetuals Pairs

  Q: Can I trade altcoin pairs like ADA-USD or DOGE-USD as perpetuals on Coinbase?
  
  Currently, Coinbase does not offer perpetual contracts for ADA or DOGE. Only BTC-USD, ETH-USD, SOL-USD, and XRP-USD are available. Check the official roadmap or announcements for future additions.

  Q: Why can’t I see the perpetual tab in my Coinbase account?
  
  You must be approved for Advanced Trade and derivatives. Complete KYC verification, accept the derivatives terms, and ensure your region (e.g., U.S., E.U.) supports perpetual trading. Some countries restrict access entirely.

  Q: Is the BTC-USD perpetual the same as spot BTC trading?
  
  No. The perpetual allows leverage and has funding rates. Spot trading involves buying actual BTC. The perpetual tracks BTC’s price but operates as a contract with margin requirements and liquidation risks.

  Q: How often do funding rates change for each pair?
  
  Funding rates update every 8 hours (at 00:00 UTC, 08:00 UTC, and 16:00 UTC). Rates are displayed in real time on the pair’s trading screen and are applied automatically if you hold a position at the funding timestamp.