How to calculate the forced liquidation price of Bithumb's contract?

Calculating Bithumb's forced liquidation price is key for traders to manage risk, using parameters like contract size, leverage, and maintenance margin.

Apr 18, 2025 at 06:21 am

Calculating the forced liquidation price of Bithumb's contract is essential for traders to manage their risk effectively. Forced liquidation occurs when a trader's position is automatically closed by the exchange due to insufficient margin to cover potential losses. Understanding how to calculate this price helps traders know when they might be at risk of liquidation, allowing them to take appropriate actions to prevent it. In this article, we will delve into the detailed process of calculating the forced liquidation price for both long and short positions on Bithumb's futures contracts.

Understanding Bithumb's Futures Contracts

Bithumb, a prominent cryptocurrency exchange, offers futures contracts that allow traders to speculate on the future price of cryptocurrencies. These contracts are leveraged, meaning traders can control a large position with a relatively small amount of capital. However, with leverage comes the risk of liquidation if the market moves against the trader's position.

Futures contracts on Bithumb typically involve trading Bitcoin (BTC) or other cryptocurrencies against the Korean Won (KRW). The key parameters of these contracts include the contract size, leverage, and maintenance margin. Understanding these parameters is crucial for calculating the forced liquidation price.

Key Parameters for Liquidation Calculation

To accurately calculate the forced liquidation price, you need to be aware of the following key parameters:

• Contract Size: The amount of cryptocurrency that each contract represents.
• Leverage: The ratio of the trader's position size to the margin required to open the position.
• Maintenance Margin: The minimum amount of margin required to keep the position open.
• Entry Price: The price at which the trader entered the position.

Calculating the Forced Liquidation Price for Long Positions

For a long position, the forced liquidation price is the price at which the unrealized loss equals the maintenance margin. Here's how to calculate it:

• Step 1: Determine the entry price of your long position.
• Step 2: Calculate the total value of your position at the entry price. This is done by multiplying the contract size by the entry price.
• Step 3: Calculate the maintenance margin required for your position. This is typically a percentage of the total position value.
• Step 4: Calculate the unrealized loss that would equal the maintenance margin. This is done by finding the price at which the loss equals the maintenance margin.
• Step 5: Solve for the forced liquidation price using the formula:

[ \text{Forced Liquidation Price} = \text{Entry Price} \times \left(1 - \frac{\text{Maintenance Margin}}{\text{Leverage} \times \text{Entry Price} \times \text{Contract Size}}\right) ]

Calculating the Forced Liquidation Price for Short Positions

For a short position, the forced liquidation price is the price at which the unrealized profit equals the maintenance margin. Here's how to calculate it:

• Step 1: Determine the entry price of your short position.
• Step 2: Calculate the total value of your position at the entry price. This is done by multiplying the contract size by the entry price.
• Step 3: Calculate the maintenance margin required for your position. This is typically a percentage of the total position value.
• Step 4: Calculate the unrealized profit that would equal the maintenance margin. This is done by finding the price at which the profit equals the maintenance margin.
• Step 5: Solve for the forced liquidation price using the formula:

[ \text{Forced Liquidation Price} = \text{Entry Price} \times \left(1 + \frac{\text{Maintenance Margin}}{\text{Leverage} \times \text{Entry Price} \times \text{Contract Size}}\right) ]

Example Calculation for Long Position

Let's go through an example to illustrate how to calculate the forced liquidation price for a long position on Bithumb:

• Contract Size: 1 BTC
• Leverage: 10x
• Maintenance Margin: 0.5% of the total position value
• Entry Price: 30,000,000 KRW

Using the formula provided earlier:

[ \text{Forced Liquidation Price} = 30,000,000 \times \left(1 - \frac{0.005}{10 \times 30,000,000 \times 1}\right) ]

[ \text{Forced Liquidation Price} = 30,000,000 \times \left(1 - \frac{0.005}{300,000,000}\right) ]

[ \text{Forced Liquidation Price} = 30,000,000 \times \left(1 - 0.0000000167\right) ]

[ \text{Forced Liquidation Price} = 30,000,000 \times 0.9999999833 ]

[ \text{Forced Liquidation Price} \approx 29,999,999.5 \text{ KRW} ]

Example Calculation for Short Position

Now, let's calculate the forced liquidation price for a short position using the same parameters:

• Contract Size: 1 BTC
• Leverage: 10x
• Maintenance Margin: 0.5% of the total position value
• Entry Price: 30,000,000 KRW

Using the formula provided earlier:

[ \text{Forced Liquidation Price} = 30,000,000 \times \left(1 + \frac{0.005}{10 \times 30,000,000 \times 1}\right) ]

[ \text{Forced Liquidation Price} = 30,000,000 \times \left(1 + \frac{0.005}{300,000,000}\right) ]

[ \text{Forced Liquidation Price} = 30,000,000 \times \left(1 + 0.0000000167\right) ]

[ \text{Forced Liquidation Price} = 30,000,000 \times 1.0000000167 ]

[ \text{Forced Liquidation Price} \approx 30,000,001.5 \text{ KRW} ]

Practical Steps to Calculate Forced Liquidation Price on Bithumb

To practically calculate the forced liquidation price on Bithumb, follow these steps:

• Log into your Bithumb account and navigate to the futures trading section.
• Select the futures contract you are trading (e.g., BTC/KRW).
• Open a position by specifying the leverage and entry price.
• Note down the contract size, which is typically provided by Bithumb.
• Check the maintenance margin requirement, which can be found in the contract specifications.
• Use the formulas provided to calculate the forced liquidation price based on whether you have a long or short position.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can the forced liquidation price change after I open a position?

Yes, the forced liquidation price can change if the maintenance margin requirement or the leverage of your position changes. Always keep an eye on these parameters as they can affect your risk of liquidation.

Q2: What happens if the market price reaches my forced liquidation price?

If the market price reaches your forced liquidation price, Bithumb will automatically close your position to prevent further losses. You will lose your initial margin and any unrealized profits or losses will be realized at the liquidation price.

Q3: How can I prevent forced liquidation?

To prevent forced liquidation, you can add more margin to your position, reduce your leverage, or close part of your position to decrease the risk. Monitoring the market closely and setting stop-loss orders can also help manage your risk.

Q4: Does Bithumb provide tools to calculate the forced liquidation price?

Bithumb typically provides tools and calculators within their trading platform to help traders estimate their forced liquidation price. However, it's always good to understand the calculation manually to ensure accuracy and better manage your positions.