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What is leveraged trading
Using leverage with crypto bots involves a combination of understanding margin trading and configuring your bot to execute leveraged trades. So first of all you need to have an understanding of what is leveraged trading and how it works.
Leveraged trading, also known as margin trading, is a method of trading financial assets, including cryptocurrencies, where traders can borrow funds from a broker or exchange to increase their trading position beyond the amount of capital they currently hold. It allows crypto traders to potentially magnify their profits or losses by using leverage.
When engaging in leverage, traders are required to provide a certain amount of collateral, known as margin, which serves as a form of security for the borrowed funds. The ratio between the borrowed funds and the trader's own capital is referred to as the leverage level. For example, if a trader wants to take a leveraged position with a 10x leverage level, they would only need to provide 10% of the total position value as margin.
The concept of leverage allows traders to control a larger position than they would be able to with their own capital alone. If the trade moves in their favor, they can potentially generate higher profits compared to trading without leverage. However, it's important to note that leverage also increases the risk exposure. If the trade goes against them, losses can be amplified, and it's possible to lose more than the initial investment.
Margin trading requires careful risk management and an understanding of the market. Experienced traders should consider factors such as volatility, liquidity, and market trends before using leverage. It's also important to be aware of the terms and conditions set by the broker or exchange offering leverage, as they may have specific rules regarding margin requirements, liquidation levels, and fees.
Understanding Isolated and Cross Margin trading
Isolated trading and cross trading are two different margin trading modes offered by cryptocurrency exchanges. Here's a breakdown of their key differences:
Isolated Trading:
Isolated trading, also known as isolated margin, allows crypto traders to allocate a specific amount of margin for each individual trading position.
Traders can set different leverage levels and risk management parameters for each position they open.
The margin and profit/loss of one position are not directly linked to other positions.
Isolated trading provides more granular control over risk management as each position can be managed independently.
Cross Trading:
Cross trading, also known as cross margin, pools the available margin across all open positions.
The margin and profit/loss of one position can impact the margin and risk of other positions.
Traders have a shared margin pool for all their positions, and the available margin is recalculated based on the combined exposure.
Cross trading allows for more efficient use of available margin as it considers the collective risk across all positions.
In summary, isolated trading offers individual margin allocation and independent risk management for each position, whereas cross trading combines the margin and risk of all open positions into a shared pool. The choice between isolated and cross trading depends on the trader's risk appetite, trading strategy, and preference for managing positions collectively or individually. It's important to carefully consider the implications of each mode and select the one that aligns with your trading goals and risk management approach.
TIP always use the chart from the exact exchange and pair you are using in your bots for your technical analysis and test your bot strategies. Prices differs slightly across major exchanges as well as spot and futures and because leverage is amplifying the risk and reward it is important you enter or exit your position at the exact price.
How to set up a bot for futures trading in Gainium
Setting up a crypto bot for trading futures involves a similar process to setting up a bot on traditional futures markets. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you set up a crypto bot for futures trading:
Select a cryptocurrency futures exchange: Choose a reputable cryptocurrency exchange that offers futures trading. Some popular options include Binance Futures, BitMEX, Bybit, and Deribit. Research and compare the features, trading pairs, leverage options, check the echange trading fee, and API capabilities of different crypto exchanges to find one that suits your needs. At the moment Gainium allows you to trade futures on Binance, Kucoin and Bybit. You often will need to enable futures in your account. For example, Binance requires you to take a small test.
Add new exchange
Connect to the API: Create API credentials on the cryptocurrency futures exchange and configure your bot to connect to the API using the provided authentication method. Generate an API key and secret, and set up any required authentication steps.
Define your crypto trading strategies and logic: Determine the indicators, signals, or algorithms you want your bot to use for making trading decisions. Ensure that you manage risk, such as setting stop-loss and take-profit levels. A bot that works on the spot market cannot be implemented as it is when used on futures. You need to take into consideration the leverage and therefore use a calculator to make sure you have enough margin for your bot to run smoothly.
Test your bot: Before using your bot with real funds, thoroughly test it using a simulated or paper trading environment provided by the cryptocurrency futures exchange. This allows you to evaluate the performance, functionality, and profitability of your bot without risking actual capital. However, paper trading doesn't usually take into account liquidation so your bot will keep running on the test account while it might have already been liquidated in a real account if the drawdown is greater than the liquidation point. So you need to check all your paper trades to see if they would have survived.
Deploy your bot: Once you're satisfied with the performance of your bot in the simulated environment, deploy it to start trading with real funds. Start with a small position size initially and gradually increase it as you gain confidence in your bot's capabilities.
Monitor and optimize: Continuously monitor your bot's performance, and make adjustments as necessary. Analyze trading results, fine-tune your strategies, and adapt to changing market conditions to optimize the performance of your bot. Regularly review and update your risk measures to protect your capital.
Tips and tricks to avoid liquidations in bot trading strategies
Many major exchanges provide you with a liquidation calculator. These however are mostly useful for manual trading strategies where you only enter one position at a time.
Bot trading involves dollar cost averaging, therefore it becomes very difficult to calculate your liquidation point as your martingale bot keeps buying more assets when the price goes against your favour.
There is a very useful tool available for free that will help experienced and beginner traders avoid being liquidated. It is based on Binance margin trading fees so if you are using another exchange you need to be aware that there will be a slightly different liquidation point. However it is an amazing tool that will help you understand how much margin you require to be safe. This calculator is for cross margin trading.
TIP If you are using cross margin trading is best to open several sub accounts into your exchange to limit the exposure of your assets.
Setup example
In the example above the bot is using 24 USDT with a wallet of 50 USDT ( so 26 USDT are the margin), the bot is using 10X leverage. This bot will survive another 20% deviation from the last SO before being liquidated as you can see from the info below.
Orders table
TIP When you are trading with cross margin the more SO you fill the higher your liquidation point becomes so the more margin you will need to leave idle in the account. When using isolated margin the more SO you fill the lower your liquidation point will become. It might be confusing at the beginning but its important to understand this main difference.
FAQ
Is margin trading illegal?
Margin trading itself is not illegal, but its legality and regulation vary from country to country and depend on the specific financial instruments involved. In many jurisdictions, margin trading is a regulated activity subject to specific rules and requirements. It's important to understand and comply with the legal and regulatory framework of your jurisdiction when engaging in margin trading.
Here are a few points to consider:
Regulations and Licensing: Different countries have different regulations regarding margin trading. Some jurisdictions may require specific licenses for offering margin trading services or impose restrictions on leverage levels, investor protection measures, or disclosure requirements. Ensure that you are familiar with the regulations in your jurisdiction and trade on platforms or with brokers that operate within the legal framework.
Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance: Margin trading platforms and brokers often have KYC and AML requirements to verify the identity of their customers and prevent illicit activities. Be prepared to provide the necessary identification documents and comply with the platform's KYC/AML procedures.
Risk Disclosures: Margin trading involves higher risks due to the use of borrowed funds. Reputable platforms and brokers typically provide clear risk disclosures to ensure that traders understand the potential risks associated with margin trading. Read and understand these disclosures before engaging in margin trading.
International Considerations: If you operate across multiple jurisdictions or trade on platforms located in different countries, be aware that the legal and regulatory landscape may vary. Ensure compliance with the regulations of all relevant jurisdictions involved in your trading activities.
How much is 10X leverage?
A 10x leverage means that you can control a trading position that is 10 times larger than the amount of capital you are using. In other words, if you have $1,000 in your cryotocurrency trading account and you apply 10x leverage, you can open a position worth $10,000.
To calculate the actual position size with leverage, you multiply your available capital by the leverage factor. Using the example above:
Position Size = Available Capital Leverage Position Size = $1,000 10 = $10,000
What is the best leverage for crypto trading bots?
Determining the best leverage for crypto trading depends on various factors, including your risk tolerance, trading strategy, crypto market conditions, and experience as a trader. There is no universally recommended leverage level that applies to all traders. However, here are a few points to consider when selecting leverage for cryptocurrency trading:
Risk tolerance: Assess your risk tolerance and consider how much risk you are willing to take on. Higher leverage levels amplify both profits and losses, so if you have a low risk tolerance, it may be prudent to use lower leverage.
Market volatility: Cryptocurrency markets are known for their high volatility. Higher leverage levels can magnify the impact of market movements, which can lead to larger profits or losses. In general on the bigger caps like BTC ETH and so on it is less risky to use higher leverage. On small caps even a 5X can be very dangerous.
Trading strategy: Different cryptocurrency trading strategies may require different leverage levels. Short-term scalping strategies, for example, might benefit from higher leverage for quick, small gains, whereas longer-term strategies may benefit from lower leverage for more sustained positions. It is also worth noting that when using cross margin even a small leverage like 3X on a high cap token can be very dangerous in bot trading as the more SO you fill the higher the liquidation points it becomes. It is useful to keep in mind that a 10X usually can cover a 10% deviation. a 20X a 5% and so on, without of course taking into account the dollar cost averaging.
Experience and expertise: Leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses, so it's crucial to have a solid understanding of the crypto market, technical analysis and trading principles before using higher leverage levels. If you are relatively new to trading, it might be advisable to start with lower leverage until you gain more experience and confidence. Best would be to trade on spot market first and only after several months of experience to move on with leverage.
What is the difference between standard futures and perpetual futures?
Standard futures and perpetual futures are both types of derivative contracts traded on crypto exchanges, but they have some key differences in terms of structure and trading characteristics. Here's an overview of the main differences between the two:
Expiration: Standard futures have a fixed expiration date. They represent an agreement to buy or sell an underlying asset at a predetermined price on a specific future date. Perpetual futures, on the other hand, do not have an expiration date. They are designed to track the price of the underlying asset indefinitely.
Settlement: Standard futures contracts are settled upon expiration. This means that at the expiration date, the buyer and seller are obligated to fulfill the contract by physically delivering the underlying asset or settling in cash. Perpetual futures do not have a fixed settlement date, as they are designed to track the underlying asset's price continuously. Instead, they typically settle on a daily basis using a funding mechanism.
Funding Mechanism: Perpetual futures incorporate a funding mechanism to ensure that the contract's price remains closely aligned with the underlying asset's spot price. This funding occurs periodically (usually every 8 hours) and involves a payment between long and short positions to maintain balance. The funding rate is based on the price difference between the perpetual contract and the spot price.
Price Convergence: Standard futures tend to converge towards the spot price of the underlying asset as the expiration date approaches. This convergence occurs through arbitrage activities by market participants. Perpetual futures, due to their continuous nature and funding mechanism, aim to closely track the spot price of the underlying asset at all times.
Trading Flexibility: Perpetual futures offer greater flexibility for traders compared to standard futures. They can be traded and held for as long as desired, without concerns about expiration. Additionally, perpetual futures often provide higher leverage options and allow traders to take both long and short positions with ease.
Availability: Standard futures are available for a wide range of assets, including commodities, stocks, and currencies, and are typically offered on regulated crypto exchanges. Perpetual futures are commonly associated with cryptocurrency derivatives, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, and are primarily traded on specialized cryptocurrency exchanges.
What is the difference between USD-M and COIN-M?
In the context of trading or investing, "USD margin" and "coin margin" refer to different types of margin used in margin trading. Here's an explanation of each:
USD Margin: USD margin refers to using a fiat currency, typically the US dollar, as the margin collateral for trading. When you trade with USD margin, you deposit a certain amount of US dollars into your trading account as collateral. This collateral is then used to secure your trades and cover potential losses. The amount of leverage you can obtain and the size of your trading positions depend on the margin requirements and leverage ratios set by the trading platform or broker. With USD margin trading, your profits and losses are calculated and settled in US dollars.
Coin Margin: Coin margin, also known as crypto margin or margin trading with cryptocurrency, involves using a cryptocurrency as the margin collateral. Instead of depositing fiat currency, you deposit a certain amount of a specific cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, into your trading account as margin. The cryptocurrency is used as collateral for your trades, allowing you to potentially increase your trading position beyond the amount of cryptocurrency you actually own. Similar to USD margin trading, the leverage ratios and margin requirements determine the amount of leverage you can obtain. In coin margin trading, your profits and losses are typically calculated and settled in the same cryptocurrency used as collateral. Please note that liquidation point of the same token (BTC) can be different if traded on USD - M or COIN - M. So trading BTC/USDT will have a different chart and slightly different price than BTC/USDT.P
The key difference between USD margin and coin margin is the type of collateral used. USD margin utilizes fiat currency, while coin margin employs cryptocurrencies. Both types of margin trading come with their own risks and considerations, including price volatility, leverage-related risks, and the potential for margin calls. It's important to thoroughly understand the mechanics, risks, and terms associated with margin trading before engaging in such activities, regardless of whether you're using USD margin or coin margin.
What is the risk reward ratio in future trading?
The risk-reward ratio for futures trading bots can vary depending on the specific crytpo trading strategy employed. The risk-reward ratio represents the potential reward (profit) compared to the potential risk (loss) for each trade or position.
In futures trading, the risk-reward ratio is typically determined by the placement of stop loss and take profit orders. A stop loss order is set to limit the potential loss by automatically closing a position if the price moves against the desired direction beyond a certain threshold. On the other hand, a take profit order is used to secure profits by automatically closing a position when the current market price reaches a predetermined target.
The risk-reward ratio is calculated by dividing the potential reward (take profit distance) by the potential risk (stop loss distance). For example, if the take profit distance is $100 and the stop loss distance is $50, the risk-reward ratio would be 2:1 (100/50). This means that for every dollar you are willing to risk, you aim to make two dollars in potential profit.
The risk-reward ratio is an essential consideration in trading strategies as it helps to assess potential profitability and manage risk. However, it's important to note that the risk-reward ratio alone does not guarantee profitability, and other factors such as win rate, trade frequency, position sizing, and overall crypto market conditions should also be taken into account.
Ultimately, the risk-reward ratio for a futures cryptocurrency trading bot will depend on the different trading strategies implemented, the desired profit targets, risk tolerance, and individual preferences. Advanced traders often aim to find a balance that aligns with their trading goals and risk management approach.
Why is portfolio management important for future trading?
Portfolio management is crucial for successful futures trading. Here are some key considerations and strategies:
Diversification: Diversifying your portfolio by trading multiple futures contracts across different asset classes can help spread risk and reduce exposure to any single contract or market. In our specific case, it means trading different tokens as well as using different automated trading strategies as well as many crypto trading bots.
Managing risk: Implementing risk management techniques is essential for portfolio management. Set clear risk parameters such as maximum loss per trade or maximum exposure to a particular market. Use stop-loss orders to limit potential losses and regularly monitor and adjust risk levels as needed.
Position Sizing: Determine appropriate position sizes for each trade based on the risk-reward ratio, account size, and risk tolerance. Position sizing ensures that no single trade disproportionately impacts the overall portfolio. Avoid allocating too much capital to a single trade or being overexposed to a particular market.
Portfolio Monitoring: Regularly monitor the performance of your futures positions and overall portfolio. Keep track of open positions, profit and loss, and any changes in market conditions that may impact your trades. Consider using portfolio management tools or software to streamline the monitoring process.
Rebalancing: Periodically rebalance your portfolio to maintain the desired allocation and risk exposure. This involves adjusting position sizes, adding or removing contracts, or reallocating capital based on market conditions and performance. Rebalancing ensures that your portfolio remains aligned with your trading strategy and risk appetite.
Review and Analysis: Conduct regular reviews and analysis of your trading performance and portfolio. Assess the profitability of individual trades, identify strengths and weaknesses in your strategy, and make necessary adjustments. Learn from past trades to improve future decision-making and refine your portfolio management approach.
Risk Assessment and Stress Testing: Assess the potential risks associated with your futures positions and simulate stress scenarios to understand the impact on your portfolio. Perform risk assessments and stress tests to evaluate the resilience of your portfolio and identify potential vulnerabilities.
Education and Research: Stay informed about the markets, economic indicators, and factors that may influence the futures contracts you trade. Continuously educate yourself and keep up with industry news and trends. Conduct thorough research before entering new markets or contracts.
Gainium offers unique and advanced trading tools for monitoring your portfolio and that will help you build your own investment strategies both for spot and futures trading. You can learn more about this trading tool here. Another advantage of using Gainium is that it can be very time-consuming to familiarise yourself with each different trading terminal. Gainium allows you to launch trading bots and trade crypto on futures from the same interface.
Do I need to pay taxes on future trading?
Taxation of spot trading and futures trading can differ depending on the jurisdiction and specific tax regulations. While I can provide some general information, it's important to consult with a tax professional or crypto tax software companies that are familiar with the tax laws of your country.
Here are a few general considerations regarding taxes for spot trading and futures trading:
Holding Period: One key difference between spot trading and futures trading is the holding period of the assets. In spot trading, assets are typically bought and sold within a short period, and the tax treatment may depend on whether the gains or losses are considered short-term or long-term. Short-term gains are usually subject to higher tax rates compared to long-term gains. On the other hand, futures trading involves contracts with specific expiration dates, and gains or losses are generally realized upon closing the position rather than holding the underlying asset for an extended period.
Tax Rates: The tax rates for spot trading and futures trading can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the classification of the gains. In many countries, capital gains from spot trading may be subject to specific tax rates, which can vary based on factors such as income level and holding period. In futures trading, profits may be treated as capital gains or ordinary income, and tax rates can differ accordingly.
Reporting Requirements: Both spot trading and futures trading may require reporting of gains, losses, and other relevant information for tax purposes. It's crucial to maintain accurate records of your trading activities, including transaction details, dates, quantities, prices, and associated costs. Compliance with reporting requirements is essential to ensure accurate tax filings and minimize the risk of tax-related issues.
Deductions and Losses: Deductions and loss deductions may be available for both spot trading and futures trading, depending on the tax laws of your jurisdiction. Deductions can help offset gains and reduce your overall tax liability. Losses incurred from spot trading or futures trading may be deductible against gains in the same asset class or against other income, subject to specific limitations and rules.
Professional Trading: If you engage in spot trading or futures trading as a business or profession, rather than as an occasional or personal investor, the tax treatment may differ. In some jurisdictions, professional traders may be subject to different tax rules, such as being taxed on their trading profits as ordinary income rather than capital gains. In some areas, professional trading is not even allowed as you will need to acquire a license.
Do I need to learn complex and advanced trading indicators and strategies to trade bots on futures?
No, you do not necessarily need complex and advanced trading strategies to trade futures. While advanced strategies can be beneficial for experienced traders seeking to optimize their performance, there are also simpler strategies that can be effective for beginner traders or those who prefer a more straightforward approach. Creating your own trading strategies is very easy with Gainium cryptocurrency trading bots.
Here are a few examples of simpler strategies commonly used in futures trading:
Trend Following: This strategy involves identifying and following trends in the market. Traders aim to enter positions in the direction of the prevailing trend, either going long (buying) in an uptrend or going short (selling) in a downtrend. Trend-following strategies may use indicators such as moving averages or trendlines to identify and confirm trends.
Breakout Trading: Breakout strategies involve entering positions when the price breaks out of a defined range or consolidations. Traders look for strong breakouts above resistance levels or below support levels, expecting the price to continue moving in the breakout direction. Stop-loss orders are typically placed to limit potential losses if the breakout fails.
Support and Resistance: This strategy involves identifying key support and resistance levels on price charts. Traders may enter positions when the price bounces off support levels or breaks through resistance levels. Support and resistance levels can be determined using various technical analysis tools, such as horizontal lines or pivot points.
Mean Reversion: Mean reversion strategies are based on the assumption that prices tend to revert to their average or mean over time. Traders look for extreme price movements away from the mean and enter positions expecting the price to revert back toward the average. Mean reversion strategies often involve the use of oscillators or statistical measures to identify overbought or oversold conditions.
Calendar Spreads: Calendar spreads involve simultaneously buying and selling futures contracts with different expiration dates but the same underlying asset. Traders aim to profit from the price difference between the near-term and longer-term contracts. This strategy focuses on exploiting pricing discrepancies caused by market expectations and time decay. This is very similar to arbitrage trading. There are also some spot futures arbitrage bot trading platforms that can help automate this process.
Remember, the effectiveness of any trading strategy depends on various factors, including market conditions, risk management, position sizing, and personal trading preferences. It's important to thoroughly understand and test any strategy you choose to employ in futures trading. Consider starting with simpler strategies and gradually incorporating more complex trading strategies as you gain experience and confidence in your trading abilities. Additionally, continuous learning, staying updated with market information, and adapting strategies to changing conditions are key aspects for successful trades.
Is more profitable a leveraged grid bot or a leveraged DCA bot?
Both leveraged grid bots and leveraged DCA (Dollar-Cost Averaging) bots can potentially be profitable, but their profitability will depend on various factors, including market conditions, trading strategy, risk management, and the specific implementation of the bot.
Leveraged Grid Bot:
A leveraged grid bot involves setting up a grid of buy and sell orders at predetermined price levels. As the price fluctuates, the bot executes trades within the grid, aiming to profit from price movements. Leveraged grid bots can generate profits in ranging or sideways markets by exploiting price volatility. However, they can also be exposed to risks, such as prolonged trends or extreme price movements that can result in trapped positions or increased leverage risk.
Leveraged DCA Bot:
A leveraged DCA bot uses a Dollar-Cost Averaging strategy with leverage. It involves buying additional quantities of an asset at different prices. This strategy aims to average the purchase price over time, potentially reducing the impact of short-term price volatility. Leveraged DCA bots can be effective during periods of price decline or market dips, allowing traders to accumulate more of an asset at lower prices. And this has an increased risk of liquidation as we discussed before. Generally, DCA with leverage is done very lightly. You don't want to have too many DCA levels and you are aiming to enter at a much more precise level than on the spot market.
It's important to note that both strategies involve leverage, which amplifies both profits and losses. Leveraged trading carries additional risks, and it's crucial to have a robust risk management plan in place to protect your capital. It is essential to have a SL in place for both types of automated trading bots.
To determine which approach may be more profitable, it's essential to consider factors such as market conditions, historical performance, risk tolerance, and the specific implementation of the bot. Backtesting, forward testing, and careful analysis of the bot's performance can help provide insights into its potential profitability.
