Ethereum Futures Trading: How to Trade Ethereum Futures

To trade Ethereum (ETH) futures effectively, investors need an account with a safe trading platform that offers margin facilities, low fees, and reliable order execution.

According to our research, CoinFutures is the best place to buy and sell ETH futures. CoinFutures users can use 1000x leverage in a secure environment, and they avoid KYC procedures.

Ethereum futures appeal to short-term traders who actively long and short the market with low margin requirements. This beginner’s guide explains how and where to trade Ethereum futures in 2025.

Top 6 Ethereum Futures Trading Platforms

These popular trading platforms are the best places to trade Ethereum futures:

1. CoinFutures: Our Preferred Choice for Trading ETH Futures With High Leverage
2. Binance: Best Option for Experienced Futures Traders With Advanced Strategies
3. MEXC: Buy and Sell ETH Perpetual Contracts With 500x Leverage
4. Margex: Trade 55+ Futures Globally Without KYC Requirements
5. KCEX: Place Limit Orders to Avoid Futures Trading Commissions
6. Bybit: Enter Long-Term ETH Trades via Delivery Futures Contracts

Best Ethereum Futures Platforms Reviews

The following ETH futures exchanges offer a safe trading experience. We compare each platform for important metrics such as leverage limits, account verification, commissions, and payout times. Read on to make an informed choice.

1. CoinFutures: Trade ETH Simulated Futures with Low Initial Margin Requirements

Ranked as the overall best Ethereum futures platform, CoinFutures offers a top-notch trading experience. At 0.1%, it has the lowest initial margin requirements among all industry competitors.

ETH traders require just $10 to control $10,000 worth of futures contracts. The platform allows long and short trading, and orders execute instantly via simulated markets.

The best aspect is that traders cap their downside to the initial margin, which reflects linear-style cryptocurrency markets. Accounts cannot turn negative, and traders cannot forfeit non-margined funds on liquidated positions. Additional risk-mitigation tools include stop-loss and take-profit orders.

CoinFutures users trade ETH/USDT futures with leverage of up to 1000x. Source: CoinFutures

As a multi-asset platform, CoinFutures supports other popular cryptocurrencies, including top altcoins like XRP (XRP), Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Avalanche (AVAX). The 1000x leverage limit applies to all markets, since CoinFutures doesn’t increase margin requirements on lower-cap pairs.

New CoinFutures users register anonymously, as the platform only requires an email and password for account access. Deposit methods include wallet payments, debit/credit cards, as well as Google Pay and Apple Pay. Users may transfer any crypto amount, but fiat payments require at least $10.

To ensure transparency, CoinFutures provides proof of reserves. It updates those reserves daily, which verifies it covers client deposits by at least 1:1. It also partners with regulated custodian Fireblocks to ringfence customer funds.

Pros

• Safe and secure trading platform for Ethereum futures
• Huge leverage facilities of up to 1000x
• Platform users can go long and short
• Also lists other popular futures markets such as DOGE and XRP
• Instant account verification without KYC requirements
• Available on a native desktop or mobile application

Cons

• Lacks high-level charting tools and trend lines
• Doesn’t offer longer-term candlestick timeframes

Visit CoinFutures

2. Binance: Advanced Futures Trading Exchange with Premium Tools and Features

Binance is a better fit for experienced derivative traders who seek exposure to the ETH price. Its proprietary trading dashboard supports a wide range of device types and operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. Traders also use Binance via the standard browser platform.

All platform versions offer advanced charting tools with customizable trading layouts. Features include technical indicators, premium volume and volatility analytics, market news, social metrics, and diverse candlestick timeframes. Binance enables API access, too, so traders may buy and sell ETH futures via custom scripts.

Binance’s native trading dashboard offers powerful trading tools. Source: Binance

The futures platform offers two primary markets: perpetual and delivery contracts. The latter includes expiration dates of up to 12 months. Settlement categories include Coin-M (inverse) and USDT-M (linear), and traders also choose between isolated and cross margin.

Besides Ethereum futures, Binance supports hundreds of other derivative markets. Listed assets include the best meme coins like DOGE, Moo Deng (MOODENG), and OFFICIAL TRUMP (TRUMP).

Pros

• Our top pick for experienced futures traders
• Lists Ethereum futures via perpetual and delivery contracts
• Access futures markets with 12-month expiration dates
• Remains the largest crypto derivative exchange globally

Cons

• Traders cannot increase leverage multiples beyond 125x
• New users must upload a government-issued ID before trading

Visit Binance

3. MEXC: Multiply Ethereum Perpetual Futures Trades by up to 500x

Our research found that MEXC is one of the best crypto futures trading platforms for high leverage. The exchange offers 500x leverage on Bitcoin (BTC) and ETH futures, and 200-300x on other top altcoins. In total, MEXC lists over 900 futures markets, allowing traders to access a wide range of crypto markets in one place.

The platform specializes in perpetual contracts with USDT settlement. Traders get competitive funding fees on ETH markets, and makers and takers pay commissions of just 0.1% and 0.4%. MEXC lowers commission fees when users hold its native token.

MEXC users trade Ethereum futures with 500x leverage. Source: MEXC

With over 40 million traders globally, MEXC is popular for its simple sign-up process and multi-payment support. Once users verify an email or phone number, they can deposit funds instantly with Visa, MasterCard, SEPA, and other convenient methods. Users in non-major economies deposit funds via peer-to-peer transfers.

Pros

• ETH perpetual futures enable 500x leverage
• Deep liquidity ensures fast order execution with minimal slippage
• Market makers pay low commission fees of 0.1%
• Lists over 900 other futures trading markets

Cons

• Some users report random KYC requests
• Its non-regulated framework increases account risks

Visit MEXC

4. Margex: Top Choice for Crypto Traders Who Prefer a No-KYC Experience

Launched in 2019, Margex offers futures trading services in over 150 countries. As one of the top no-KYC crypto exchanges, the platform offers a truly anonymous experience. Opening an account requires an email address, so users avoid providing personal information or government-issued ID.

While limits apply, Margex users deposit fiat money without revealing their identity. It supports dozens of payment types, from Google/Apple Pay to Visa and MasterCard. Minimum deposits are an affordable $5. Margex also allows anonymous crypto payments via wallet transfers.

As a global futures platform, Margex supports traders in over 150 jurisdictions. Source: Margex

Regarding Ethereum futures, the exchange offers perpetual contracts with USDT settlement. The initial margin is 1%, so traders may boost position sizes by 100x. It supports over 55 other futures markets, including BTC, DOGE, LTC, and BNB (BNB).

Margex is also popular for its simulated trading dashboard. It offers unlimited virtual funds, making it a solid option for entry-level traders. The copy trading tool also helps by letting them copy pre-vetted futures strategies with small upfront minimums.

Pros

• Users in over 150 countries avoid ID verification
• Deposit margin collateral instantly with fiat or crypto
• Copy trading allows users to replicate other futures traders
• Practice trade with unlimited virtual funds

Cons

• The 1% margin requirement is higher than most futures platforms
• Market takers pay 0.6% commissions

Visit Margex

5. KCEX: Market Makers Receive 0% Trading Commissions on ETH Futures

KCEX is the lowest-fee crypto futures exchange in the market. Traders who place limit orders receive 0% commissions. This pricing structure means platform users cover typical market spreads only.

While KCEX is a mid-tier exchange, its ETH/USDT futures markets attract large trading volumes. As such, other market participants typically fill limit orders instantly. Beginners who prefer market orders pay a small commission of 0.1%.

KCEX offers 0% commissions to market makers, while takers pay just 0.1%. Source: KCEX

KCEX’s trading platform offers a user-friendly experience on web browsers and mobile apps. The charting area covers timeframes from just one minute, real-time news feeds, and market depth data. Seasoned investors also rate the liquidation map. This feature helps users predict potential short and long squeezes.

Account holders access other perpetual futures markets, including meme coins with USDT and USDC settlement. The maximum ETH leverage is 125x, yet KCEX reduces fees on most other altcoin pairs.

As a crypto-only platform, users must deposit digital assets. Payments reflect in the account automatically once the blockchain confirms the transfer.

Pros

• Eliminate trading commissions on limit orders
• Analysis tools include liquidation maps and market depth
• Offers a popular futures trading app for iOS and Android

Cons

• Allows crypto deposits and withdrawals only
• Isn’t authorized or regulated by any tier-one bodies

Visit KCEX

6. Bybit: Gain Longer-Term Exposure to the ETH Price without Funding Fees

Bybit is a good option for making longer-term predictions on the ETH price. It offers delivery futures markets with expiration of between nine and 12 months, depending on the most recent contract launch. Traders may go long or short until expiration without paying funding fees. Instead, platform users cover standard trading commissions.

Bybit charges entry and exit fees of 0.055% on market orders. These commissions reduce to 0.02% on limit orders.

Bybit, the world’s second-biggest exchange, offers long-term ETH futures contracts in USDT. Source: Bybit

The regulated exchange also offers perpetual Ethereum futures with inverse and linear settlement. These contracts carry funding rates every eight hours, and fees average 0.01% on ETH/USDT.

Traders access all contract types via a feature-rich trading dashboard for desktops and mobiles. High-level tools include over 100 technical indicators, TradingView alerts, and conditional order types. Bybit sits behind Binance for daily trading volumes, which makes it the second biggest exchange globally.

Pros

• High-volume derivative exchange with deep liquidity
• Trade ETH/USDT delivery futures without funding cycles
• Feature-rich dashboard includes over 100 charting indicators

Cons

• European traders must complete extensive KYC
• Hackers stole over $1.5 billion from the exchange in early 2025

Visit Bybit

Ethereum Futures Exchanges Compared

No two trading platforms offer the same features and benefits. Futures traders should consider their key priorities, including available leverage, contract types, and KYC requirements.

The table below compares the top Ethereum futures trading platforms for 2025:

How Does Trading Ethereum Futures Work?

Crypto investors trade Ethereum futures in various ways. Retail clients typically use perpetual contracts. They offer low margin requirements and never expire. This framework suits beginners who don’t feel comfortable trading against expiration dates.

Some online exchanges support delivery futures, which allow longer-term predictions. The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) introduced these contract types for the institutional market in 2021, but they require traders to deposit higher margin amounts.

CME, one of the world’s largest derivative exchanges for institutional clients, launched Ethereum futures in 2021. Source: CME

Both perpetual and delivery futures support long and short trading. Traders place limit or market orders and profit when they correctly predict price movements. Those gains increase significantly when trading ETH futures with high leverage. However, if the futures position drops below the maintenance margin, exchanges close it automatically.

An important point to note is that futures traders merely speculate on prices, so they do not control the underlying ETH. Once positions close, profits and losses are usually settled in stablecoins. These futures are called linear contracts.

The other option is inverse futures, which require ETH as collateral and also settle in ETH.

Here is a simplified example of an Ethereum futures trade:

• After research, the trader predicts ETH prices will rise. They set up a buy order on ETH/USDT futures contracts.
• The trader deposits an initial margin of $500 with 20x leverage. The total position exposure is $10,000. They select isolated margin to ensure the loss potential caps at the $500 collateral.
• The ETH/USDT price rises by 5% and the trader exits the futures position with a sell order.
• Despite the $500 outlay, at 5% gains, they generate $500 in profit. This is because the profit element reflects the $10,000 exposure, not the initial margin.

How to Trade Ethereum Futures for Beginners

Ready to go long and short on Ethereum futures in a safe and licensed environment? Read on to get started with CoinFutures.

Step 1: Register a Futures Account

Visit CoinFutures and open an account.

CoinFutures does not collect personal information from new account sign-ups. Source: CoinFutures

Provide the following information to register:

• Email address
• Username
• Password

Open your email account to confirm the verification link.

Visit CoinFutures

Step 2: Download the Futures Trading Software

CoinPoker, a popular gambling platform for poker, sports betting, and casino games, owns CoinFutures. It incorporates the CoinFutures dashboard on its desktop and mobile software.

Download the CoinPoker interface to proceed. Then sign in with your account credentials. Source: CoinPoker

Step 3: Make a Deposit

Click the “Cashier” button (the wallet icon) to set up an account deposit.

If you want to deposit digital assets from a private wallet, click “Currency” and select the crypto. Ensure the correct network is selected, as some supported assets operate on different token standards.

CoinFutures generates unique deposit addresses for each account holder. Source: CoinFutures

Then copy or scan the wallet address. Once you complete the transfer, the assets should arrive in minutes.

CoinFutures supports convenient fiat methods, too. Click “Deposit With Card/Bank” and choose a deposit type from Google Pay, Apple Pay, PIX, Visa, or MasterCard.

Step 4: Go to Crypto Futures and Select ETH

Besides ETH, CoinFutures lists other popular futures markets. Source: CoinFutures

Select the “Crypto Futures” button once the deposit appears. Then change the market to ETH/USDT.

Step 5: Choose the Trade Parameters

Input your trade predictions on the trading dashboard, located on the right-hand side.

Leave the “Up” button selected if you predict ETH/USDT prices will increase. Change it to “Down” to short-sell the pair.

The “Wager” box requires the position size. Since CoinFutures offers isolated margin facilities, liquidated trades cannot surpass the wager amount. This risk-management feature protects traders from excessive losses.

Placing a bet on CoinFutures, wagering on how ETH will perform. Source: CoinFutures

Select the leverage amount to apply to the futures trade. The minimum and maximum multiples allowed are 1x and 1000x. The “Bust Price”, located beside the leverage multiple, is the liquidation price. If the ETH/USDT price rises or falls to that level, the platform automatically liquidates the trade.

The screenshot above shows the trader applying 3x leverage on a long position. The bust price is about 17% below the entry price, which provides ample margin for adverse volatility.

Step 6: Set Exit Parameters and Place an ETH Futures Trade

Futures traders further reduce risk by setting exit orders. These orders appear when users change the dashboard mode from “Manual” to “Auto”.

CoinFutures helps traders manage risk through stop-loss and take-profit orders. Source: CoinFutures

In our example, the trader sets a $15 stop-loss price. CoinFutures automatically closes the ETH/USDT trade if the position value declines by that amount.

The example also shows a $300 take-profit target. If the futures position increases in value by $300, CoinFutures closes it.

Click “Place Auto Bet” to confirm the trade.

Why Trade Ethereum Futures? Potential Benefits

The benefits of trading ETH futures include access to leverage and short-selling. Traders also eliminate non-custodial storage risks, since futures resemble derivative contracts rather than real asset ownership. Other advantages include capital efficiency and hedging.

Let’s explore these benefits in more detail.

Leverage Facilities Amplify Profits

As the second-largest crypto asset by market capitalization, Ethereum futures enable substantial leverage.

Although limits vary by the platform, CoinFutures offers leverage of up to 1000x. A trader who deposits just $10 into their collateral balance receives a maximum exposure of $10,000.

Leverage doesn’t just suit budget-conscious investors. It allows confident traders to amplify profits on high-conviction trades.

Trade Bullish and Bearish ETH Markets

Similar to other derivative products, such as options and swaps, futures suit traders in all market conditions. As traders enter positions with buy or sell orders, they go long or short on the ETH price.

Investing in ETH on a traditional exchange may allow ownership, but holders profit only if prices rise. Futures increase market opportunities by allowing traders to short-sell declining sentiment.

Capital Efficiency

Applying leverage to Ethereum futures trades enhances capital efficiency, as investors allocate funds across a significantly broader range of cryptocurrencies.

Popular CoinFutures markets include BTC, ETH, and DOGE Source: CoinFutures

Consider a futures platform with a 1% margin requirement. The trader gains 100 times the market exposure compared to traditional spot exchanges. They can trade ETH futures alongside other markets like BTC and BNB.

Eliminate Storage Risks

Ethereum futures are contracts traded between buyers and sellers, so holders do not control the underlying coins.

By extension, traders don’t withdraw ETH to a private wallet, so they eliminate storage risks like hacks and phishing.

Hedging

Investors who hold ETH coins may trade Ethereum futures contracts to offset risk. This strategy works well when a potential event could negatively impact the ETH price.

For example, the markets might await an SEC decision regarding Ethereum staking for ETF providers. In anticipation of the announcement, an investor opens a short trade through ETH futures. Any price movements thereafter offset against the original portfolio value.

Top Considerations for Ethereum Futures Trading

Here are some important considerations regarding ETH futures:

• Use Isolated Margin: Most trading platforms set the margin type to isolated by default, yet it’s essential to check before placing orders. If the exchange uses the cross margin system, your entire account balance could be used to cover liquidated positions. Using isolated margin limits the downside to the initial margin.
• Trade Linear Contracts: Another safeguard is to trade linear contracts. These futures products let traders add margin in stablecoins. They also settle in stablecoins, so profits and losses resemble USD adjustments. Trading inverse contracts is riskier, as they margin and settle in ETH. This dynamic puts increased pressure on the collateral balance during volatile periods.
• Choose the Right Futures Market: Simulated and perpetual futures remain open until the trader closes the position. This flexibility suits entry-level traders better. In contrast, traders who hold delivery futures on the expiration date must settle the position at the respective ETH price.
• Set Stop-Loss Orders: Most futures traders set stop-loss orders to avoid liquidation. They instruct exchanges to close the trade at a specific price, so traders reduce the potential losses on unfavorable positions. Over time, trading with stop-loss orders protects your capital.

We’ve explained how to trade Ethereum futures with risk management best practices, such as using isolated margin with linear settlement and setting stop-loss orders. Beginners should avoid the temptation of using substantial leverage, or liquidation becomes more likely.

Getting started with a safe futures exchange takes minutes when using CoinFutures. The licensed platform eliminates KYC requirements, and fiat and crypto deposits usually confirm instantly.

At CoinFutures, traders meet a 0.1% initial margin on ETH futures, which provides significant exposure even on small account balances.

Visit CoinFutures

References

1. CME Ethereum Futures Specifications (Chicago Mercantile Exchange)
2. CFTC Explores Letting Futures Exchanges Trade Spot Crypto (Bloomberg)
3. How Futures Margin Works (Charles Schwab Futures and Forex LLC)

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Ibrahim Ajibade

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Ibrahim Ajibade is a seasoned research analyst with a background in supporting various Web3 startups and financial organizations. He earned his undergraduate degree in Economics and is currently studying for a Master’s in Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies at the University of Malta.