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Ethereum (ETH) futures trading guide

Our crash course on Ethereum futures will help you quickly get started with Ethereum futures trading and understand both the risks and risk management measures involved in futures trading.
Trade Ethereum (ETH) futures to capitalize on Ethereum market movements without the need to buy and hold ETH in your portfolio.
Bitget is a world-leading cryptocurrency futures trading platform, with a 24-hour trading volume of 26,958,793,192 USD, open interest of 19,266,790,419 USD, and support for 380+ trading pairs. We provide ample liquidity and fast order matching to ensure an exceptional user experience. Bitget Futures is your top choice for futures trading.
Create a Bitget account to start trading ETH futures instantly. You can go long or short on ETH to capitalize on ETH's market movements, whether prices are rising or falling. Keep in mind that futures trading involves high risks, so be sure to implement effective risk management measures.
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What are Ethereum futures?

Ethereum futures contracts are financial instruments that allow traders to buy or sell ETH at an agreed price in the future, offering a way to invest in Ethereum without holding ETH directly. There are two types of futures: perpetual futures, which have no expiry date, and delivery futures, which settle on a specified date.
Benefits of Ethereum futures include: 1) Leverage trading – Investors can open larger positions with a smaller amount of capital, amplifying potential returns. 2) Risk management – When ETH prices drop, investors can short futures to hedge against losses in ETH spot prices, protecting their investments. 3) High flexibility – Bitget Futures supports a variety of trading strategies to adapt to different market conditions. 4) 24/7 trading – The market operates around the clock, allowing investors to trade anytime.

How do Ethereum futures work?

Ethereum futures offer traders greater flexibility in the market. Ethereum futures serve as an effective tool to withstand market volatility and adverse price movements. As a derivative, it reflects traders' predictions about future price movements of Ethereum.
When you expect the price of Ethereum to rise, you can go long to maximize profit. Conversely, if you anticipate the price of Ethereum to fall, you can go short to hedge against potential losses in spot assets due to the decline.
Over the longer term, Ethereum may experience bear markets or sentiment shifts that can negatively impact your portfolio's returns. In such cases, Ethereum futures can help protect your investments, mitigate risks from price drops, and support better portfolio management.
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What types of futures trading does Bitget support?

Bitget offers four futures trading types:
1. USDT-M Futures:
USDT-M Futures are settled in the stablecoin USDT. Examples include BTCUSDT and ETHUSDT (note that the quote currency on the right is the stablecoin USDT).
2. USDC-M Futures:
USDC-M Futures are settled in the stablecoin USDC. Examples include BTCUSDC and ETHUSDC (note that the quote currency on the right is the stablecoin USDC).
3. Coin-M perpetual futures:
Coin-M perpetual futures are settled in cryptocurrency. Examples include BTCUSD and ETHUSD. Perpetual futures can be held indefinitely without an expiration date.
4. Coin-M delivery futures:
Coin-M delivery futures are settled in cryptocurrency, but with an expiration date. This means that users are required to deliver a specified amount of the asset on a predetermined future date. On the delivery date, the futures contract holder must fulfill the obligations outlined in the contract.
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You can trade ETH futures and more on Bitget

Bitcoin_0
BTCUSDT Perpetual
Trading volume (USDT): 11.28B
95,275.2-0.07%
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Bitcoin_1
BTCUSD Perpetual
Trading volume (USD): 654.59M
95,199.7-0.07%
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Bitcoin_2
BTCUSDC Perpetual
Trading volume (USD): 25.05M
95,199.4-0.06%
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Bitcoin_3
BTCUSD Delivery
Trading volume (USD): 2.10M
95,401.6-0.12%
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Ethereum_4
ETHUSDT Perpetual
Trading volume (USDT): 6.87B
3,283.11-0.54%
Trade now
Ethereum_5
ETHUSD Perpetual
Trading volume (USD): 300.45M
3,280.09-0.55%
Trade now
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Why should I trade ETH futures? What are the benefits of futures trading?

A ETH futures is an agreement between a buyer and a seller to trade a specified ETH quantity at a set ETH price on a predetermined future date and time. This allows traders to profit from ETH without actually holding it.
Individuals and organizations holding ETH can use futures to hedge market volatility, offering better protection for their investments.

What are the advantages of Bitget Futures?

Bitget is a world-leading cryptocurrency trading platform. Bitget Futures offers four key advantages:
Top-level security: Bitget Futures provides exceptional security for complete peace of mind, integrating Proof of Reserves, a protection fund, and third-party fund custody to protect users' investments and assets. This makes Bitget a highly trustworthy choice.
Ultimate trading experience: Bitget offers a seamless futures trading experience, with abundant liquidity for both perpetual and delivery futures, making each transaction effortless and worry-free.
Efficient matching engine: Bitget's high-efficiency order matching engine ensures fast and smooth trading, standing out as a top choice in the industry for its leading technical capabilities.
24/7 customer support: Bitget's support team is available around the clock, providing responsive, professional assistance to promptly resolve any issues and ensure an outstanding user experience.
In summary, Bitget leads the way in futures trading innovation by continuously enhancing and optimizing platform features. With a wide range of trading products, Bitget is dedicated to creating a secure and efficient trading environment that fully meets the needs of all types of investors.

How do I make ETH futures trades?

1. Transfer funds to your futures account.

2. Select your preferred ETH futures trading pair, choose your margin mode, set the leverage, and select an order type.

3. Set your take-profit and stop-loss targets, then select "Buy long" or "Sell short."

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How to trade futures on the go?

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1. Create a free Bitget account

2. Buy or deposit cryptocurrency

3. Select a futures trading pair and type, set the trading parameters, and start trading

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What are the risks in futures trading?

The high leverage and potential returns in futures margin trading come with significant risks, particularly for new investors. The unknown risks may be daunting, making it difficult for beginners to accurately grasp market conditions. These risks arise from the inherent uncertainties of futures trading, which can lead to the loss of the investor's principal. It is essential for beginners to fully understand these risks and only engage in trade when they are confident in their ability to bear potential losses.
Major risks in futures trading:
Price volatility: The high volatility of futures prices can make it challenging for investors to accurately grasp market trends and may lead to undesired investment outcomes.
Potential liquidation: If the market moves against your position, you may face significant losses. To avoid liquidation, investors must either increase their margin or reduce their positions, or they will incur losses.
Trading performance: Once an order is filled, it cannot be reversed. Investors should understand the risks involved before starting futures trading. Additionally, the exchange does not guarantee profits for investors, nor does it share the profits and risks with investors.
Policies and regulations: Cryptocurrency futures trading may be subject to regional regulatory changes. Investors should understand the policy environment of the regions they are trading in and make prudent decisions.
Force majeure: If natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, floods, or fires) or technical issues (such as computer or communication system failures) prevent orders from being fully executed, investors are responsible for any resulting losses.
Additional risks of high leverage:
High leverage in futures trading can significantly amplify both profits and losses. Trading platforms closely monitor high-leverage positions and may intervene if these positions pose risks to market stability. For instance, Bitget actively monitors positions with excessively high leverage to maintain a stable market environment. If an investor's position is deemed to threaten market stability, Bitget will take appropriate actions, including but not limited to communicating with the investor, providing risk disclosures, partially or fully liquidating the position, and canceling orders, with a written explanation provided to the investor. These measures help protect other investors and are essential for maintaining a stable and secure trading environment.
These are some of the key risks associated with futures trading. For beginners, it's essential to carefully evaluate these risks and allocate funds wisely. Only with a full understanding of the risks can investors engage in futures trading safely and protect their investments.
Note: Trading futures, derivatives, and other instruments with leverage involves certain risks and may not be suitable for everyone.

Risk management in futures trading

Risk management is essential for futures traders to protect their capital and reduce potential losses. Here are some effective risk management strategies:
Effective risk management strategies that futures traders can implement:
Control leverage: Choose leverage carefully based on your risk tolerance. While higher leverage can amplify returns, it also increases potential losses. Beginners are strongly advised to start with lower leverage.
Maintain sufficient margin: Ensure your account has adequate margin to avoid liquidation caused by market volatility. Monitor your account balance closely and add margin as needed to sustain your positions.
Set TP/SL targets: Establish stop-loss and take-profit targets for each trade to automatically close positions, locking in profits and limiting losses. This approach helps avoid emotional decision-making that could impact trade outcomes.
Diversify your portfolio: Avoid placing all your funds in a single futures contract. Spread your investment across different trading pairs and markets to lower overall risk.
Regularly access market conditions: Stay informed about market trends and relevant news, and use both technical and fundamental analysis to adjust your trading strategies promptly in response to market changes.
Adopt appropriate trading strategies: Use proven trading strategies such as trend trading, arbitrage, or day trading to increase your success rate. Identify your trading style and plan accordingly.
Stay calm: Manage your emotions and avoid making impulsive decisions driven by fear or greed. Stick to your plan and avoid following market trends blindly.
Keep learning: Continuously improve your knowledge of futures trading, including market analysis, technical analysis, and fundamental analysis. Ongoing learning helps improve the quality of your trading decisions.
Bitget also provides essential risk management measures for investors:
Asset protection: Bitget implements multiple security measures, including Proof of Reserves, Protection Fund, and third-party fund custody, to ensure the security of user assets.
Risk warning system: The platform monitors margin positions and issues a risk warning if leverage for a position is too high, reminding users to adjust their positions promptly.
Liquidation mechanism: To maintain market stability and prevent further losses, Bitget will automatically liquidate positions if a user's margin falls below the maintenance margin level.
Education and support: Bitget offers a wealth of educational resources, including information on trading strategies, risk management, and market analysis, to help users improve their trading skills and risk awareness.
24/7 customer support: Bitget's customer service is available around the clock to answer questions and address concerns, assisting users in managing risks more effectively in futures trading.
Effective risk management is essential for success in futures trading. We encourage users to make full use of the risk management tools provided by Bitget to trade safely and efficiently. Remember to stay rational and cautious, employ diverse trading strategies, remain vigilant, and adjust your approach as needed to protect your funds in this complex and volatile market.
Learn more about risk management>

What are the differences between Ethereum futures and Ethereum futures ETFs?

While Ethereum futures and Ethereum futures ETFs are both related to Ethereum, Ethereum futures and Ethereum futures ETFs are two distinct investment vehicles.
Ethereum futures: Futures trading is a financial instrument that allows investors to buy or sell Ethereum at an agreed price at a specified time in the future. There are two types of futures: perpetual and delivery futures. Investors can trade with leverage.
Ethereum futures ETF: A futures ETF (exchange-traded fund) is an investment fund that tracks the performance of Ethereum futures contracts. Investors buy shares of the ETF to invest indirectly in Ethereum, instead of purchasing Ethereum or its futures contracts directly.
Trading method
Ethereum futures: Traders who trade futures on cryptocurrency exchanges like Bitget can choose to go long or short and use leverage to amplify potential gains (while also increasing potential losses).
Ethereum futures ETF: Futures ETFs are listed and traded on stock exchanges, allowing investors to buy and sell ETF shares through a brokerage account. The ETF's price fluctuates with the market performance of the underlying futures.
Investment risk
Ethereum futures: Due to the use of leverage, futures trading involves high risks, and investors may face significant losses in a short period. It is strongly recommended to closely monitor the market to prevent liquidation.
Ethereum futures ETF: Although futures ETFs are also affected by market volatility, they do not involve leverage and therefore carry relatively lower risk. Investors do not need to manage the actual futures contract and only need to monitor the ETF's price movements.
Asset holding
Ethereum futures: Investors do not actually hold Ethereum directly but gain exposure by investing through futures contracts.
Ethereum futures ETF: Investors purchase shares in the ETF, and the fund manager uses these funds to invest in Ethereum futures contracts, thereby indirectly holding the value of Ethereum.
Fee structure
Ethereum futures: Futures trading may be subject to transaction fees, margin interest, and platform fees.
Ethereum futures ETFs: ETFs typically charge management fees. Investors should consider the fund's fee structure, as it can affect overall returns.
Regulatory environment
Ethereum futures: Futures trading is less regulated and relies primarily on the oversight of trading platforms.
Ethereum futures ETFs: Crypto ETFs are generally subject to stricter regulations as they are listed on traditional financial markets and must comply with securities regulations.
Ethereum futures contracts are suitable for traders with a high risk tolerance seeking higher returns, while Ethereum futures ETFs are better suited for more risk-averse investors who prefer indirect exposure to Ethereum. Understanding this difference helps investors make more informed investment decisions.

What are the differences between Ethereum futures and Ethereum ETFs?

Ethereum futures and Ethereum ETFs are two Ethereum-related investment vehicles that differ significantly in structure, trading methods, and risk management. Below are the main differences between them, along with some of the Ethereum ETFs currently available on the market.
Key differences between Ethereum futures and Ethereum ETFs
1. Definition
Ethereum futures: Futures trading is a financial derivative that allows investors to buy or sell Ethereum at an agreed price at a specified time in the future. There are two types of futures: perpetual and delivery futures. Investors can trade with leverage to amplify their gains (while also increasing the potential losses).
Ethereum ETF: Ethereum ETFs (exchange-traded funds) are investment funds that track the performance of Ethereum. Investors are buying shares of the ETFs to invest indirectly in Ethereum, instead of actually holding Ethereum.
2. Trading method
Ethereum futures: Traders who trade futures on cryptocurrency exchanges like Bitget can choose to go long or short and use leverage to amplify potential gains (while also increasing potential losses).
Ethereum ETF: ETFs are listed and traded on stock exchanges, allowing investors to buy and sell ETF shares through a brokerage account. The ETF's price fluctuates with the market performance of the Ethereum.
3. Investment risk
Ethereum futures: Due to the use of leverage, futures trading involves high risks, and investors may face significant losses in a short period. It is strongly recommended to closely monitor the market to prevent liquidation.
Ethereum ETF: The risk is relatively low, as investors aren't exposed to leverage. Although the value of Ethereum fluctuates with the ETF price, investors don't need to manage futures contracts directly.
4. Asset holding
Ethereum futures: Investors do not actually hold Ethereum directly but gain exposure by investing through futures contracts.
Ethereum ETF: Investors purchase shares in the ETF, and the fund manager uses these funds to invest in Ethereum, thereby indirectly holding the value of Ethereum.
5. Fee structure
Ethereum futures: Futures trading may be subject to transaction fees, margin interest, and platform fees.
Ethereum ETF: ETFs typically charge management fees. Investors should consider the fund's fee structure, as it can affect overall returns.
6. Regulatory environment
Ethereum futures: Futures trading may be subject to transaction fees, margin interest, and platform fees.
Ethereum ETF: ETFs are generally subject to stricter regulations as they are listed on traditional financial markets and must comply with securities regulations.
Ethereum futures and Ethereum ETFs each have their own pros and cons. Investors should choose the instrument that best aligns with their risk tolerance and investment objectives. As the market grows, more Ethereum ETFs will become available, offering investors a wider range of options.
Well-known Ethereum ETFs in the market:
ProShares Ethereum Strategy ETF (EFUT)This is the first Ethereum futures ETF listed in the United States, primarily investing in Ethereum futures contracts, allowing investors to gain direct exposure to Ethereum through traditional financial markets.
VanEck Ethereum Strategy ETF (EFUT)This ETF also focuses on Ethereum futures contracts, providing investors with an opportunity to invest in Ethereum.
Purpose Ethereum ETF (ETHH)Canada's first Ethereum ETF that holds Ethereum assets. It is the world's first ETF offering investors direct exposure to Ethereum.
Evolve Ethereum ETF (ETHR)Another Ethereum ETF listed in Canada that allows investors to directly hold Ethereum assets for investment opportunities.
Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index ETF (HASH11)Although not exclusively an Ethereum ETF, it tracks an index that includes Ethereum among other major cryptocurrencies, offering investors a diversified cryptocurrency investment option.
CI Galaxy Ethereum ETF (ETHX)Another Canadian ETF investing directly in Ethereum, providing investors with a transparent and convenient way to invest in Ethereum.
The approval of Ethereum ETFs signals growing regulatory acceptance of Ethereum and related financial products, boosting both the legitimacy of Ethereum as an investment asset and market confidence. This approval not only provides investors with new options but also represents a further step in integrating crypto assets into the traditional financial system. It enhances market liquidity, supports the growth of Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies, and encourages broader market participation. Although Ethereum ETFs are currently less common than Bitcoin ETFs, the market expects more to launch as the U.S. SEC gradually adopts a more open stance on spot Ethereum ETFs.
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Futures trading carries high risks, and investors may experience partial or total loss of funds. Investors should make informed decisions and thoroughly understand these risks. Futures prices are highly sensitive to market fluctuations, with rapid and significant price changes, requiring investors to develop strong risk management skills. All information, data, and content on this website are provided for reference only and should not be considered trading guidance or recommendations. Investors should conduct their own research and seek professional advice. Futures trading is subject to applicable laws and regulations, and investors should ensure they understand local laws before trading. Bitget is not liable for any direct or indirect losses resulting from futures trading. Investors are solely responsible for their trading decisions.