How to use trailing stop orders on Bitget? (Profit Trailing)

Understanding Trailing Stop Orders on Bitget

1. A trailing stop order is a dynamic risk management tool that adjusts automatically as the market price moves in a favorable direction. On Bitget, this feature is integrated into both spot and perpetual futures trading interfaces.

2. Unlike fixed stop-loss orders, trailing stops maintain a user-defined distance—either in percentage or absolute value—from the highest (for long positions) or lowest (for short positions) executed price since activation.

3. Bitget’s implementation allows traders to set the trailing deviation after entering a position, ensuring flexibility during volatile market conditions without manual intervention.

4. The order remains inactive until the market reaches the initial trigger price, after which it begins tracking the price with the specified offset.

5. Once the market reverses by the defined trailing distance, the order converts into a market or limit order depending on the selected execution type—market execution being the default for most users.

Setting Up Profit Trailing on Bitget Futures

1. Navigate to the perpetual futures trading panel and ensure you have an open position—either long or short—before accessing the trailing stop function.

2. Locate the “Close Position” section and click the dropdown next to “Stop Market” to reveal “Trailing Stop.”

3. Input the trailing deviation: enter a numeric value followed by either “USDT” for absolute distance or “%” for percentage-based offset from the current mark price.

4. Confirm the order. Bitget instantly registers the trailing stop, and the platform displays the active trailing distance in real time beside your position details.

5. Monitor the “Trailing Price” field—the system continuously updates this value as the market advances, locking in gains while allowing further upside participation.

Key Parameters and Their Impact

1. Trailing Deviation determines how tightly or loosely the stop follows price movement. A smaller deviation increases sensitivity but may trigger prematurely during normal volatility.

2. Activation Price serves as the entry threshold for initiating the trailing logic. It must be set beyond the current market price for longs (higher) or below for shorts (lower).

3. Execution Type options include Market and Limit. Market execution guarantees fill but not price; Limit requires specifying a price limit, risking non-execution if liquidity dries up.

4. Position Size Alignment ensures the trailing stop applies only to the exact quantity of the open position—not partial or scaled exits unless manually adjusted.

5. Real-Time Sync with Mark Price means Bitget calculates trailing behavior using the index-based mark price, reducing manipulation risks from isolated exchange feeds.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Setting trailing deviation too narrow during high-volatility periods often results in premature closure, especially during flash crashes or pump-and-dump sequences common in low-cap perpetual markets.

2. Ignoring funding rate implications when holding positions overnight can erode trailing gains, particularly on assets with steep negative funding—Bitget displays live funding rates alongside position data.

3. Assuming trailing stops guarantee profit ignores slippage: market execution during illiquid moments may fill several ticks away from the intended trigger level.

4. Overlooking leverage interaction—high leverage amplifies both gains and losses, and trailing stops do not adjust leverage dynamically; they only manage exit points.

5. Confusing trailing stop with take-profit: the former protects accumulated gains, while the latter locks in a predefined return—both can coexist but serve fundamentally different roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I modify a trailing stop order after submission?Yes. Bitget allows editing the trailing deviation and activation price before the order triggers. Once triggered, the order becomes immutable until execution.

Q2. Does Bitget support trailing stops for spot grid trading?No. Trailing stop functionality is currently limited to perpetual futures and margin trading. Spot users must rely on manual stop-limit orders or third-party automation tools.

Q3. Why does my trailing stop show “Not Active” even after setting it?This occurs when the activation price has not yet been reached. The trailing logic only initiates once the market price crosses that threshold in the favorable direction.

Q4. Is there a fee for placing a trailing stop order?No additional fee is charged for creating or maintaining a trailing stop. Execution fees apply only upon actual order fill, calculated per Bitget’s standard taker/maker schedule.