How to play Kraken's futures contracts? How to control leverage and risk?

To trade futures on Kraken, set up and verify your account, navigate the futures interface, choose leverage wisely, and manage risk with stop-loss and take-profit orders.

May 13, 2025 at 09:08 pm

How to Play Kraken's Futures Contracts? How to Control Leverage and Risk?

Kraken, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges, offers futures contracts that allow traders to speculate on the future price of cryptocurrencies. Playing futures contracts on Kraken involves understanding the platform, setting up an account, and navigating the futures trading interface. Additionally, controlling leverage and risk is crucial for successful futures trading. This article will guide you through the process of playing Kraken's futures contracts and managing your leverage and risk effectively.

Setting Up Your Kraken Account for Futures Trading

Before you can start trading futures on Kraken, you need to set up and verify your account. Here are the steps to get started:

• Visit the Kraken website and click on the "Sign Up" button.
• Fill out the registration form with your personal details, including your email address and a strong password.
• Verify your email address by clicking on the confirmation link sent to your inbox.
• Complete the KYC (Know Your Customer) process by uploading the required documents, such as a government-issued ID and proof of address.
• Wait for your account to be verified. This may take a few hours to a few days, depending on the volume of applications.

Once your account is verified, you can proceed to fund your account and start trading futures.

Navigating Kraken's Futures Trading Interface

Kraken's futures trading interface is designed to be user-friendly but packed with features for advanced traders. Here's how to navigate it:

• Log in to your Kraken account and navigate to the "Futures" section.
• Select the futures contract you want to trade. Kraken offers futures contracts for various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH).
• View the order book to see the current bids and asks for the selected futures contract.
• Use the charting tools to analyze the price movements and make informed trading decisions.
• Place your order by selecting the type of order (market, limit, or stop) and specifying the amount and leverage.

Understanding Leverage in Kraken's Futures Trading

Leverage is a key feature of futures trading that allows traders to amplify their exposure to the market. On Kraken, you can choose the level of leverage for each futures contract. Here's how to control leverage:

• Select the futures contract you want to trade.
• Choose the leverage level from the available options, which can range from 1x to up to 50x, depending on the contract.
• Understand the margin requirements for the chosen leverage level. Higher leverage requires less initial capital but increases the risk of liquidation.

Example: If you want to trade a Bitcoin futures contract with 10x leverage, you only need to put up 10% of the contract's value as margin. However, if the market moves against you, your position can be liquidated if the losses exceed the margin.

Managing Risk in Kraken's Futures Trading

Effective risk management is essential for successful futures trading. Here are some strategies to manage risk on Kraken:

• Set stop-loss orders to automatically close your position if the market moves against you. To set a stop-loss order, go to the "Orders" section, select the futures contract, and specify the stop price.
• Use take-profit orders to lock in profits when the market moves in your favor. Similar to stop-loss orders, you can set a take-profit order by specifying the target price.
• Diversify your portfolio by trading multiple futures contracts to spread the risk.
• Monitor your positions regularly and adjust your leverage and orders as needed.

Executing Trades on Kraken's Futures Platform

Once you have set up your account, navigated the interface, and understood leverage and risk management, you can start executing trades. Here's how to place a futures trade on Kraken:

• Select the futures contract you want to trade from the list of available contracts.
• Choose the order type: market, limit, or stop.
• Specify the amount you want to trade and the leverage level.
• Review the order details and click "Submit" to place the order.
• Monitor your position and adjust your orders as the market moves.

Monitoring and Closing Positions

After placing a trade, it's important to monitor your positions and know how to close them when necessary. Here's how to do it:

• Check your open positions in the "Positions" section of the futures trading interface.
• Monitor the market using the charting tools and order book to stay informed about price movements.
• Close a position by selecting the position you want to close and clicking "Close Position." You can choose to close the entire position or a portion of it.
• Review your trade history to analyze your performance and learn from your trades.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can I trade futures on Kraken with a mobile app?

Yes, Kraken offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices, allowing you to trade futures on the go. The app provides access to all the features available on the desktop platform, including the ability to place orders, monitor positions, and manage risk.

Q2: What are the fees for trading futures on Kraken?

Kraken charges a maker fee and a taker fee for futures trading. The maker fee is typically lower than the taker fee, and the exact rates depend on your trading volume and the specific futures contract. You can find the current fee schedule on Kraken's website.

Q3: Is there a minimum amount required to start trading futures on Kraken?

Yes, there is a minimum amount required to open a futures position on Kraken, which varies depending on the contract and the chosen leverage level. You can find the specific minimum amounts in the contract specifications on Kraken's futures trading page.

Q4: Can I use Kraken's API for futures trading?

Yes, Kraken provides an API that allows you to automate your futures trading strategies. You can use the API to place orders, monitor positions, and manage risk programmatically. Detailed documentation and examples are available on Kraken's developer portal.