What are the available trading pairs for OKX futures?

OKX offers a wide range of USDT- and USD-margined futures pairs like BTC/USDT and ETH/USD, with up to 125x leverage, catering to both beginners and advanced traders.

Aug 08, 2025 at 08:49 am

Understanding OKX Futures Trading Pairs

OKX is one of the leading cryptocurrency derivatives exchanges, offering a wide range of futures trading pairs that cater to both beginner and advanced traders. These futures contracts allow users to speculate on the price movements of various digital assets with leverage. The available trading pairs are categorized primarily by the underlying asset and the settlement currency. Most futures on OKX are settled in USDT (Tether) or USD (inverse contracts), providing flexibility depending on user preference and risk tolerance.

USDT-Margined Futures Pairs

The USDT-margined futures are among the most popular on OKX due to their simplicity and stability. These contracts use USDT as the margin and settlement currency, meaning profits and losses are calculated in stablecoin terms. This reduces volatility from margin fluctuations. Available pairs in this category include major cryptocurrencies such as:

• BTC/USDT
• ETH/USDT
• SOL/USDT
• ADA/USDT
• DOT/USDT
• XRP/USDT
• DOGE/USDT
• LINK/USDT
  

  Each of these supports multiple contract expiries, including quarterly and perpetual options. Traders can access leverage ranging from 1x to 125x, depending on the asset and risk settings. The interface displays real-time funding rates, open interest, and mark prices to assist in decision-making.

  USD-Margined (Inverse) Futures Pairs

  
  Inverse futures are settled in the underlying cryptocurrency rather than a stablecoin. For example, a BTC/USD futures contract is settled in BTC. This appeals to traders who want to maintain exposure to the base asset. Available inverse pairs include:
• BTC/USD
• ETH/USD
• SOL/USD
• XRP/USD
• ADA/USD
• DOT/USD
  

  These contracts are typically quarterly or bi-weekly, with perpetual options also available. Leverage can go up to 100x, and margin is posted in the base coin (e.g., BTC for BTC/USD). This requires careful management of wallet balances to avoid liquidation due to price swings in the margin asset.

  Altcoin and Emerging Market Pairs

  
  OKX continuously expands its futures offerings to include high-potential altcoins. These are often listed based on market demand, liquidity, and community interest. Examples of altcoin futures pairs include:
• AVAX/USDT
• MATIC/USDT
• UNI/USDT
• NEAR/USDT
• ICP/USDT
• APT/USDT
• OP/USDT
• ARB/USDT
  

  These pairs usually offer up to 75x leverage and are available as perpetual contracts. They are suitable for traders seeking exposure to emerging ecosystems like Layer 2 solutions and decentralized identity platforms. The platform provides detailed liquidation price calculators and risk limit tiers for each pair to help manage exposure.

  How to Access Futures Trading Pairs on OKX

  
  To view and trade futures pairs on OKX, follow these steps:
• Log in to your OKX account and navigate to the Futures section.
• Select either USDT-Margined or Inverse (USD-Margined) contracts.
• Use the search bar to find a specific trading pair, such as BTC-USDT-PERP for the perpetual contract.
• Review the contract specifications, including leverage options, funding rate, and maintenance margin.
• Click on the pair to open the trading interface, where you can place limit, market, or conditional orders.
• Adjust your leverage settings using the slider before entering a position.
• Monitor your position size, entry price, liquidation price, and margin balance in the position panel.
  

  The platform supports cross and isolated margin modes. In isolated mode, margin is fixed for the position. In cross mode, the entire wallet balance in the margin currency can be used, increasing risk but allowing more flexibility.

  Funding Rates and Contract Expiry

  
  Futures contracts on OKX, especially perpetuals, involve funding payments exchanged between long and short positions every 8 hours. The funding rate is displayed prominently and is determined by the difference between the perpetual contract price and the underlying spot index. For example, if the BTC/USDT perpetual trades above spot, longs pay shorts. This mechanism keeps the contract price aligned with the market.
  

  For quarterly and delivery contracts, the expiry date is fixed. Traders must close or roll their positions before the settlement time, typically at 08:00 UTC. Failure to act results in automatic settlement based on the index price. OKX provides countdown timers and settlement price previews to assist in planning.

  Risk Management Tools for Futures Traders

  
  OKX equips traders with tools to manage risk effectively:
• Take Profit and Stop-Loss Orders: Set these when opening a position or afterward.
• Trailing Stop Orders: Automatically adjust the stop price based on market movement.
• Liquidation Price Calculator: Shows at what price your position will be liquidated.
• Position Mode Toggle: Switch between hedge mode (allowing long and short simultaneously) and one-way mode (single position per pair).
• Risk Limit Adjustment: For inverse futures, increase risk limits to raise liquidation prices.
  

  These tools are accessible directly in the trading interface. For example, to set a stop-loss:

  • Open the order panel.
  • Select conditional order.
  • Choose stop-loss.
  • Enter the trigger price and order price.
  • Confirm using your security method (2FA, etc.).

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  Frequently Asked Questions

  Can I trade futures on OKX without KYC?
  
  Yes, OKX allows futures trading with limited functionality for unverified accounts. However, to access full leverage, withdraw funds, or trade high-volume pairs, identity verification (KYC) is required. Unverified users may face lower withdrawal limits and restricted access to certain pairs.

  How are funding rates calculated for OKX futures?
  
  Funding rates are calculated using the formula:
  Funding Rate = Premium Rate + Clamp(Interest Rate - Premium Rate, 0.05%, -0.05%)
  
  The rate is updated every 8 hours and displayed in the contract details. Users can check upcoming payment times and amounts in the funding history section.

  What happens if my futures position gets liquidated?
  
  Upon liquidation, OKX closes your position using a liquidation engine. A portion of the margin is used to cover losses, and the remaining balance (if any) is returned to your account. A liquidation fee may apply, depending on the tier. You can monitor your estimated liquidation price in real time on the trading interface.

  Are there fees for opening and closing futures positions on OKX?
  
  Yes, OKX charges taker and maker fees. Takers (market orders) pay a higher fee, typically 0.05%, while makers (limit orders) pay 0.02% or less, depending on your VIP level. Funding payments are separate and occur every 8 hours for perpetual contracts.