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Key Takeaways

  • To get started with how to trade futures on Coinbase, understand margin requirements, order types, and supported trading interfaces;
  • Coinbase Futures and Perpetual Futures fees vary by contract type and trading volume;
  • Practicing sound risk management and staying informed about account alerts can help reduce liquidation risk and lead to more sustainable futures trading.​

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Unlock Advanced Tools: How to Trade Futures on Coinbase With Confidence

You might already be using Coinbase to buy or sell crypto, but there’s more waiting behind the Advanced tab. Futures on Coinbase Advanced is built for experienced traders who want deeper tools and broader access. So, if you’ve been wondering how to trade futures on Coinbase, this article walks through the full experience.

To lay out the groundwork, it’s not only about leverage or speculation. Futures give active traders more control in volatile markets, and Coinbase brings that into a tightly regulated platform.

So, can you trade futures on Coinbase? Absolutely! Let’s walk through the process and why the feature has become a go-to tool for active traders.

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How to Start Trading Futures on Coinbase

Coinbase Advanced offers experienced traders enhanced access to advanced tools and greater control over their trading strategies.

Latest Deal Active Right Now:

For those asking, “What is futures trading on Coinbase?”, it refers to the ability to speculate on the price movement of crypto assets using leverage, without directly owning the underlying tokens. This approach allows traders to hedge, amplify potential gains, or manage market exposure with more precision.

More importantly, you can trade regulated futures through Coinbase Financial Markets (CFM), a secure, compliant, and high-performance environment.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: the Coinbase Advanced homepage.

Coinbase Futures in the US are available to legal residents with a verified spot account. To apply, you must have a US address and either a Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

When you are temporarily traveling abroad, Coinbase Futures US will still be available as long as your residency details remain active in your account profile.

With that in mind, let's explore how to trade futures on Coinbase, from setup to execution. Here are the key actions you need to take:

1. Create or Upgrade a Coinbase Advanced Account

Can you trade futures on Coinbase without making any changes to your regular account? The answer is a definite no.

As mentioned earlier, futures trading is only available through Coinbase Advanced. If you haven’t upgraded yet, you’ll need to enable Advanced mode and unlock the Futures tab by completing identity verification.

Here’s how to create a Coinbase account:

STEP 1:

Select the [Sign up] button on the Coinbase homepage and choose between [Individual] or [Business].

How to trade futures on Coinbase: sign up page on Coinbase.

STEP 2:

Check your inbox for a verification code. Enter the code to verify your email.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: email verification from Coinbase.

STEP 3:

Enter your phone number. Complete SMS verification by entering the code sent to your phone, then answer the remaining on-screen questions to finish your account setup.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: set up two-step verification.

STEP 4:

Verify your identity. Fill in the required data exactly as shown on your government-issued identification. Select [Continue] when you're ready.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: identity verification page on Coinbase.

Once your base account is ready, upgrading to Coinbase Advanced doesn’t require a separate sign-up. Access it directly by visiting the Coinbase Advanced dashboard.

📚 Read More: Is Coinbase Safe?

To get started, here’s how to activate futures trading on your account:

STEP 1:

Head to Coinbase Advanced. Then, select the [Futures] tab near the top left of the screen, and click the [Apply Now] button.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: the [Futures] tab on Coinbase Advanced.

STEP 2:

Complete any additional verification prompts if required.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: futures trading activation on Coinbase.

Once your Coinbase Futures account is active, trading begins through the Coinbase Advanced interface. Fees on Coinbase Advanced follow a maker-taker model. Your fee tier is updated hourly based on your 30-day trading volume, and you can view it at any time in your account.

Note that taker fees apply when your order is filled immediately at market price, while maker fees apply when your order rests on the book and adds liquidity. Some orders may even be split, with a portion paying the taker fee and the remainder the maker fee when matched.

📚 Read More: A Guide to Coinbase Fees

2. Deposit & Fund Your Futures Account

Before placing a futures trade, your account must be funded. Coinbase routes all cash through your spot wallet, then automatically moves it into your futures account to meet margin requirements. This process works in the background, but it all begins with your first deposit.

To connect a bank account:

STEP 1:

Go to your profile, then navigate to [Home]. Click the [Add a payment method] button.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: the Home page on Coinbase.

STEP 2:

Choose your preferred method and follow the verification prompts. Here are some available payment methods to add cash:

  • Bank Account (ACH). Use your linked bank account from your Coinbase spot wallet. ACH transfers take 3–5 business days.
  • Cash (USD Balance). Use available cash already sitting in your Coinbase spot account for instant funding.
  • Wire Transfer. Initiate a FedWire (not ACH) from your bank. Wire processing typically takes 1–3 business days.

Wires must be sent from your country of residence using FedWire only. Otherwise, transfers made through ACH, overnight, or next-day services will be rejected.

Once your bank account is connected, proceed with adding cash to your account:

STEP 1:

On the My Assets page, click [Add cash] next to the currency you want to fund.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: the [Add cash] button on Coinbase.

STEP 2:

Enter the amount and select a payment method.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: the Online deposit tab on Coinbase.

STEP 3:

Click the [Preview] button, then confirm using the [Add cash now] button.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: the Add cash preview page on Coinbase.

With your funds in place, you’re ready to explore the trading interface and set your first futures position.

Funding your trading balance with USDC lets you earn up to 4.1% in rewards, including on partially filled or unfilled orders. Reward rates may vary by region and are automatically activated when you purchase USDC.

3. Manage Risks via Order Types

Before diving into order types, it's essential to understand how margin ratios work. These are the percentages calculated by dividing the maintenance margin requirement by your total margin funds.

When there are no positions open, the margin ratio remains at 0%. Once you enter a position, part of your funds is held as margin. If the market moves against your position and your margin balance drops below the maintenance margin, liquidation occurs.[1]

Here's how margin ratio statuses work:

Margin Ratio

Details

Low Risk

1%-79%

Portfolio is within safe limits

Warning

80%-89%

The risk of liquidation is increasing

Danger

90%-99.99%

Critical risk of liquidation

Liquidation

100%

Positions being liquidated

Table: Margin ratio status guide

To reduce your risk, you can add margin funds or close positions. Also, use risk management order types, covered below.

Market Order

A market order executes instantly at the best available price. It can’t be cancelled once placed and may fill in parts across several prices. To place a market order:

STEP 1:

Start by choosing your trading pair (crypto/crypto or crypto/fiat).

STEP 2:

Head to the [Buy] or [Sell] tab, and switch the order type to [Market].

How to trade futures on Coinbase: market order on Coinbase Advanced.

STEP 3:

Enter your amount or drag the slider, then confirm the order.

Market orders on non-stablecoin pairs include a 10% price impact safeguard. If the trade exceeds that threshold, the system halts execution and only fills the portion within the limit.

Limit Order

Limit orders execute only at your set price or at a better price. You can also set expiration and execution conditions.

To configure a limit order:

STEP 1:

Pick your preferred trading pair and go to the [Buy] or [Sell] tab. Set the order type to [Limit].

How to trade futures on Coinbase: limit order on Coinbase Advanced.

STEP 2:

Fill in your size and optional instructions, like time-in-force.

STEP 3:

Use quick price tools if needed:

  • MID: Sets to mid-market.
  • BID: Sets to current bid price.
  • 1% or 5%: Sets a percentage off the competitive price.

STEP 4:

Review and confirm the order.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: limit order submitted.

Buy limit price must be at least 75% of the Best Bid. Meanwhile, the sell limit price cannot exceed 900% of the Best Ask.

Stop-Limit Order

A stop-limit order posts a limit order once a stop price is reached. It helps protect gains and minimize losses. To place a stop-limit order:

STEP 1:

Select a trading pair, hit [Buy] or [Sell], and choose [Stop Limit].

How to trade futures on Coinbase: stop limit order on Coinbase Advanced.

STEP 2:

Enter the stop and limit prices. After double-checking the details, place your order.

All done! However, do note that stop-limit orders may be triggered instantly if the stop price has already been reached.

Bracket Order

Bracket orders combine Take-Profit and Stop-Loss levels. Only one side executes (whichever is triggered first) while the other is cancelled. To set one up:

STEP 1:

Pick your trading pair and select [Buy] or [Sell]. Change the type to [Bracket Order].

How to trade futures on Coinbase: bracket order on Coinbase Advanced.

STEP 2:

Add your limit price and stop trigger. Review your levels, then submit the order.

As a final note, stop loss orders may not execute at your intended price during periods of high volatility. Rapid price movements can lead to slippage, so it’s important to remain vigilant and adjust your position as necessary.

Take Profit/Stop Loss (TP/SL) Order

TP/SL orders are protective orders attached to a main order. They activate only after the main order is completely filled. Here's how to use them:

STEP 1:

Choose your pair and pick [Buy | Long] or [Sell | Short]. Select either [Market] or [Limit], then enter order details.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: the [Buy | Long] tab on Coinbase Advanced.

STEP 2:

Tick the [Take profit / Stop loss] box.

STEP 3:

Fill in your TP and SL levels. Confirm the preview and proceed with placing the order.

That’s all it takes to attach a stop-loss and take-profit to your futures on Coinbase. With these tools, you can automate your exits, lock in gains, and limit downside without having to watch the screen every second.

TWAP Order

A Time-Weighted Average Price (TWAP) order splits large orders into smaller trades to avoid slippage. It helps match the average market price over time. To place a TWAP order:

STEP 1:

Select your trading pair and hit [Buy] or [Sell].

STEP 2:

Change the type to [TWAP] from the dropdown.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: TWAP order on Coinbase Advanced.

STEP 3:

Set your limit price and total size. Once done, choose a start time (now or scheduled) and set your duration (5 minutes to 7 days).

STEP 4:

Review the auto-calculated frequency and suborder size, then confirm.

After placing your TWAP order, monitor its progress through the [% Filled] tab on the Order Management page.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: the [% Filled] tab on Coinbase Advanced.

TWAP orders are cancellable while open. For futures, orders pause during market closures and resume afterward.

4. Close the Futures Position

Once a futures contract reaches its expiration date, Coinbase automatically closes your position at the exchange’s settlement price. However, you don’t have to wait until expiry as positions can be closed manually at any time.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: illustration of closing a contract manually.

There are several ways to close a position:

1

On the [Portfolio] page, hover over an active position. When an [X] appears, click it to trigger the close button.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: the Portfolio page on Coinbase Advanced.

2

Click on the contract name (for example, from the portfolio list), then select the [Close position] button.

3

Head to the [Positions] screen under the Futures tab and click [Close] next to the position.

Closing a position manually helps lock in profits, limit losses, or free up margin. Before confirming, review your unrealized PnL and margin ratio to ensure it's the right move.

Understanding Your Coinbase Futures Account

You’ll see Coinbase Futures explained more clearly once you understand how the exchange separates your funds, calculates your balances, and applies margin requirements. But what does that actually look like on your account page, and what happens if your equity drops below margin levels?

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How Your Funds Are Protected

Assets held in your CFM futures account are segregated from Coinbase Financial Markets’ own corporate funds. This segregation is required under CFTC Rule 1.20 and is designed to safeguard customer assets, even in extreme scenarios.

If CFM were ever to file for bankruptcy, customer funds in futures accounts would still be protected under CFTC regulations, including Part 190 of the bankruptcy code.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: Coinbase Financial Markets page.

By contrast, spot trades go through your Coinbase Inc. (CBI) account, which operates under the Coinbase Inc. User Agreement. CBI is not regulated by the CFTC, and it's not a member of the NFA.

Therefore, it does not provide the same level of customer protection. It’s licensed as a money transmitter under Coinbase US in many states, but that’s not the same regulatory framework that covers futures.

📚 Read More: Coinbase Review

Futures Balance Overview

The Futures Balance screen gives you a snapshot of your account’s health. It shows how much cash you have available, what’s tied up in trades, and how much room you have left before hitting margin limits.

Here's a breakdown of the key terms you’ll see:

CFM Futures USD

The amount of cash sitting in your CFM futures account at the start of the day. This includes any cash moved in from your CBI spot account and cash from previously settled trades.

Futures PnL

Your total profit and loss (both realized and unrealized). This includes gains or losses on open positions and any daily PnL that hasn’t yet settled as cash.

Total Equity

The total value of your CFM futures account, calculated by adding your cash balance to your current PnL.

Initial Margin Required

The amount of margin needed to hold your current futures positions.

Excess (or Deficit)

 A positive number means you’ve got extra funds available in your CFM account.

 A negative number means your total equity has dropped below the required margin.

Table: CFM futures equity & margin breakdown

When you're in deficit, cash from your CBI spot account may be held to help cover the shortfall. That doesn't automatically mean you'll be liquidated or owe money to Coinbase, but it's a signal that your futures positions are under pressure.

Trading Perpetual Futures on Coinbase

After covering Coinbase’s US-regulated futures, it’s worth pointing out that it also operates a separate track: perpetual futures for non-US users. These appear in the same Coinbase Advanced dashboard but are powered by the Coinbase International Exchange.

Getting Started With Coinbase Perpetual Futures

Due to regulatory requirements, users must reside in eligible regions outside the US to trade perpetual futures on the platform. If you're currently in an eligible region, here's how to begin:

STEP 1:

Switch to Coinbase Advanced by sliding the toggle on the Home page. Then, select Perpetual Futures from the trading menu.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: Advanced mode toggle on Coinbase.

STEP 2:

Complete the onboarding prompts and KYC questionnaire.

STEP 3:

Fund your Perpetuals portfolio with USDC or ETH.

Once approved, you can start trading with up to 20x leverage, depending on the contract. Positions never expire and remain open as long as your margin requirements are met.

Each contract trades at all hours, and all are USDC-settled linear perpetuals. This includes high-volume markets, like Dogecoin futures on Coinbase, which track the price of DOGE in real-time.

Max. Leverage

Margin Requirement

Default Initial Margin (DIM)

Min. Order Size

Bitcoin

20x

5%

20%

10 USDC

Ethereum

Solana

25%

Dogecoin

Table: Sample perpetual contracts on Coinbase

All contracts are designed to stay in sync with their respective spot markets, allowing you to manage exposure with smaller upfront capital.

Coinbase has also introduced the COIN50 index perpetual, which tracks the performance of 50 major assets on the platform. This single contract provides diversified exposure to the broader crypto market.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: COIN50-PERP update on Coinbase's X account.

Should you travel to an ineligible region, your account will be switched to view-only mode. You won’t be able to open or close positions, but your funds and open trades will remain secure. In the case of a permanent move to an ineligible country, you’ll need to contact Coinbase Support for assistance.

If you're not in an eligible region yet, you can still express interest:

  • Visit the Perpetual Futures Overview page.
  • Submit your contact information, and Coinbase will notify you if/when the feature becomes available in your region.

While the Perpetual Futures mentioned above are only available to non-US users, Coinbase is also preparing a separate solution for US traders.

Starting July 21, 2025, US traders will also gain access to Perpetual-Style Futures through Coinbase Derivatives Exchange. These are long-dated contracts with expirations up to five years.

This program is designed to mirror the structure of global perpetuals, including 24/7 trading and a funding rate mechanism that helps keep prices in line with the spot market.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: US Perpetual-Style Futures announcement on Coinbase's X.

The initial contracts include nano Bitcoin at 0.01 BTC and nano Ether at 0.10 ETH, offering regulated exposure with more flexibility in position sizing and capital efficiency.

Margin Balances and Funding

To trade perpetual futures on Coinbase Advanced, you'll need to fund your Perpetuals portfolio. This portfolio is separate from the Default one and is used exclusively for perpetual futures trading.

To buy USDC:

STEP 1:

Switch to Coinbase Advanced.

Use the navigation bar to select [Deposit], then choose [Deposit USDC].

How to trade futures on Coinbase: the [Deposit] button.

STEP 2:

Enter the amount and choose your payment method.

Isolated margin positions on Coinbase only accept USDC as collateral. For cross-collateralized markets, like Coinbase Bitcoin futures, BTC and ETH may also be used to support your margin, depending on the market.

To buy BTC or ETH (accepted as collateral):

STEP 1:

Activate Coinbase Advanced mode. Use the market selector to find a BTC or ETH trading pair.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: Bitcoin trading pairs on Coinbase Advanced.

STEP 2:

Enter your purchase amount and execute the trade.

Once your Default portfolio is funded, here's how to transfer collateral to your Perpetuals portfolio:

STEP 1:

Go to any perpetual futures market in Coinbase Advanced. Select [Transfer funds] from the navigation bar.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: the [Transfer funds] button on Coinbase Advanced.

STEP 2:

Choose the margin currency (USDC, BTC, or ETH).

STEP 3:

Enter the amount to move from your Default portfolio.

No fees apply to these internal transfers, though you may not be able to transfer your entire balance due to open orders, margin requirements, or held funds.

Perpetual Futures Orders and Interface

On Coinbase Advanced, you can trade perpetual futures using Limit, Market, Stop-Limit, and Bracket Orders. Each contract supports up to 20x leverage, and you’ll have the option to use cross margin or isolated margin, depending on your risk appetite and trading approach.

  • Cross Margin. Spreads collateral across multiple positions to reduce the risk of margin calls. Best for traders managing multiple trades simultaneously.
  • Isolated Margin. Keeps collateral limited to a single position. Ideal for short-term or highly leveraged trades.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: cross and isolated margin.

When placing a new order, some funds may appear as “on hold”. These include collateral for open positions or pending orders and aren’t available for new trades or withdrawals. You can free these funds by canceling the related order or closing an open position.

To place an order:

STEP 1:

Switch to Coinbase Advanced. Navigate to any perpetual futures market.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: the [Perpetuals] menu on Coinbase Advanced.

STEP 2:

Use the order form on the right to enter your trade details.

STEP 3:

Select [Preview buy order] to review your trade. Once everything looks correct, submit your order.

If a limit order fails to execute, it means the specified price hasn’t been met. Errors on failed orders will be displayed immediately or shown in the Order Blotter section.

To cancel an order:

STEP 1:

Head to Advanced mode and visit the Order management page.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: the Order management page on Coinbase Advanced.

STEP 2:

Select any active order and choose [Cancel order].

How to trade futures on Coinbase: Cancel order pop-up window on Coinbase Advanced.

After you've submitted or managed your orders, keep an eye on your overall trading performance. Coinbase provides a perpetual portfolio view to help you track everything from available margin to open positions and unrealized gains.

If you need to make changes to an open order, go to the Open Orders panel on the trading dashboard. Select the order, then choose [Edit order] to adjust the amount or price point.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: Edit order page on Coinbase Advanced.

Your Perpetuals portfolio offers a consolidated view of:

  • USDC holdings;
  • Open positions;
  • Unrealized PnL;
  • Margin health;
  • Gains or losses;
  • Total portfolio balance.

To access it, select [Portfolio] from the left sidebar and choose [Perpetuals].

On each Coinbase perpetual futures market page, the Liquidation Buffer widget sits on the right-hand side. It tracks how far your margin level is from triggering liquidation. Select the modal to expand and view more detailed metrics.

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Liquidation and Risk Management

Trading perpetual futures with leverage can magnify both gains and losses. As market conditions shift, the collateral in your portfolio must meet minimum thresholds to maintain open positions.

When the value of your position declines and your margin balance drops below the required maintenance level, liquidation is triggered to prevent negative balances.

Coinbase Perpetual Futures uses a multi-stage liquidation waterfall to manage risk across the platform:

Pre-Liquidation

 Collateral serves as a cushion when your position moves unfavorably.

 Liquidation won’t occur as long as your current margin stays above the maintenance threshold.

 If your margin drops too close to the threshold, your position becomes vulnerable to liquidation.[2]

Automatic Partial Liquidation

 If your current margin falls below the maintenance level but stays above the close-out margin, Coinbase will trigger a partial liquidation.

 Partial liquidation helps limit further losses while allowing a portion of the trade to remain open.

Liquidity Support Program (LSP)

If the current margin falls below the close-out level, the remaining position is transferred to LSP participants who absorb the risk in exchange for incentives.

Insurance Fund

Should LSP capacity run out, the Insurance Fund steps in to handle liquidations and protect system stability.

Auto-Deleveraging and Clawbacks

In rare cases, residual risk may still remain. At this stage, the system automatically matches liquidated positions with opposing traders to neutralize exposure.

Table: Liquidation stages on Coinbase Futures

Coinbase also tracks your portfolio’s risk level using a liquidation buffer, expressed as a percentage between 0% and 100%. This value reflects how much margin you currently have versus what’s required.

  • 0% indicates your margin has fallen to the maintenance level.
  • 100% represents full coverage of your portfolio’s initial margin.
  • An over 100% ratio suggests overcollateralization, especially when additional USDC is held in the account.

When the buffer falls below specific levels, you’ll receive risk alerts in the Advanced Trading interface and by email:

Warning

Below 80%

Danger

Below 20%

Liquidation triggered

At 0%

Table: Collateral buffer warning levels

As part of Coinbase's risk management system, perpetual futures and crypto collateral are liquidated together when necessary.

Crypto collateral is handled using a randomized process to prevent manipulation. Adding eligible collateral to your portfolio automatically enables Cross Collateral, offering extra margin protection across multiple positions.

Key Considerations Before Trading Futures on Coinbase

Taking the leap into futures trading comes with its own set of risks and responsibilities. While this guide walks through the mechanics of how to trade futures on Coinbase, it’s just as important to weigh a few critical considerations that can shape your experience and protect your capital.

Keep these five points in mind before placing your first trade:

  • Account Eligibility Varies by Location. As of writing, Coinbase Futures are currently limited to eligible US customers, while Coinbase Perpetual Futures are designed for select regions outside the United States. Your account type and available contracts will depend on your jurisdiction.
  • Coinbase Futures Fees Can Affect Short-Term Performance. Maker-taker fees and funding rates can add up quickly, especially in high-frequency or leveraged trades. Reviewing the latest fee schedule in the Advanced Trade interface can help you plan trades more efficiently.

How to trade futures on Coinbase: a woman in thought while twirling her hair.

  • Leverage Can Amplify Both Profits and Risks. Futures contracts on Coinbase allow up to 20x leverage, depending on the asset and margin type. It's worth balancing the appeal of larger gains with the very real possibility of liquidation during sudden market shifts.
  • Collateral Requirements Differ Across Products. Coinbase Perpetual Futures only accepts USDC as collateral for isolated margin positions. Meanwhile, certain accounts may support BTC or ETH when using cross margin. Each collateral type can influence how you manage risk and position sizing.
  • Order Execution May Depend on Market Depth. Some contracts, especially for lesser-traded assets, may have thinner order books. That can affect order execution, cause slippage, or delay fills (especially for market orders). Monitoring the Order Blotter and setting limit orders can give you more control over entry and exit prices.

With Coinbase Futures explained in practical terms, traders can approach the platform with clearer expectations and better strategies.

Conclusions

Taking time to learn how to trade futures on Coinbase can ease much of the initial pressure that comes with leveraged trading. By gradually understanding how funding, margin requirements, and liquidation rules work together, you can approach the platform with more confidence and control.

Depending on your region, you’ll either access US-based Coinbase Futures or the global Perpetual contracts. Each version comes with its own structure, risk model, and trading pairs. With that in mind, gaining clarity around what is futures trading on Coinbase can help you sidestep common mistakes and recognize which product fits your goals best.

No matter your pace, Coinbase Advanced makes futures trading feel more manageable. It's built to support smarter decisions with clear tools and a layout built for confident, stress-free trading!

The content published on this website is not aimed to give any kind of financial, investment, trading, or any other form of advice. BitDegree.org does not endorse or suggest you to buy, sell or hold any kind of cryptocurrency. Before making financial investment decisions, do consult your financial advisor.


Scientific References

1. Hedegaard, E.: ‘Causes and Consequences of Margin Levels in Futures Markets’;

2. Sampaio, D. M.: ‘Evaluating Fee Structures in Oracle Pricing Perpetual Futures Decentralized Exchanges: An Agent-Based Modelling Approach’.

About Article's Experts & Analysts

By Aaron S.

Editor-In-Chief

Having completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the differences between Western and Collective forms of capitalism in the post-World War II era. W...
Aaron S. Editor-In-Chief
Having completed a Master’s degree in Economics, Politics, and Cultures of the East Asia region, Aaron has written scientific papers analyzing the differences between Western and Collective forms of capitalism in the post-World War II era.
With close to a decade of experience in the FinTech industry, Aaron understands all of the biggest issues and struggles that crypto enthusiasts face. He’s a passionate analyst who is concerned with data-driven and fact-based content, as well as that which speaks to both Web3 natives and industry newcomers.
Aaron is the go-to person for everything and anything related to digital currencies. With a huge passion for blockchain & Web3 education, Aaron strives to transform the space as we know it, and make it more approachable to complete beginners.
Aaron has been quoted by multiple established outlets, and is a published author himself. Even during his free time, he enjoys researching the market trends, and looking for the next supernova.

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FAQ

How to trade futures on Coinbase as a beginner?

Start by accessing Coinbase Advanced and completing the futures onboarding process. Once approved, fund your Futures or Perpetuals wallet with USDC. Select a contract, set your order type, and manage your margin. Learning how to trade futures on Coinbase also means understanding leverage, fees, and risk management before placing any trades.

Is there a way to diversify exposure across multiple assets?

Yes, Coinbase offers the COIN50 index future, which represents the top 50 crypto assets on the platform by market presence and liquidity. It's ideal for anyone learning how to trade futures on Coinbase and looking to diversify with a single position. Like other Coinbase Futures products, COIN50 can be traded with leverage, allowing for efficient portfolio diversification with fewer positions to manage and monitor.

What is the maximum leverage available on Coinbase Futures?

You can trade with up to 20x leverage, depending on the asset and margin setup. While higher leverage can amplify returns, it also raises the risk of liquidation. Make sure to manage risk actively and consider storing long-term holdings in hardware wallets, like Ledger Flex, to separate active trades from cold storage assets.

What is the difference between Coinbase Futures and Perpetual Futures?

Coinbase Futures are CFTC-regulated and available to eligible US residents. Perpetual Futures, offered to users outside the US (as of writing), trade 24/7 and don’t expire. Both allow leveraged trading but differ in margin types, eligible collateral, and account access. Therefore, always confirm which product you’re eligible for before starting your first futures trade.

What are the Coinbase Futures fees I should know about?

Coinbase futures fees follow the maker/taker model based on your monthly trading volume. In perpetual futures markets, funding rates may also apply between opposing positions. For more efficient trading, review the latest Coinbase pricing structure in the Advanced Trade dashboard to understand how costs could impact short-term performance.

Are Dogecoin futures available on Coinbase?

Yes, Dogecoin futures on Coinbase are available as USDC-settled perpetual contracts. They track the real-time price of DOGE and can be traded with leverage through Coinbase Advanced. However, availability depends on your location. Perpetual Futures are restricted in the US, so users must reside in eligible regions to access the Dogecoin futures contract that Coinbase supports.

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