Why is the funding fee of perpetual contracts terrible?

Funding fees in perpetual contracts can be a hidden nightmare for traders, especially if they're unaware of their existence or fail to adjust their strategies accordingly.

Oct 24, 2024 at 12:01 pm

Why Perpetual Contract Funding Fees Can Be Nightmare

Perpetual contracts are a type of futures contract that never expires. They are popular among traders who want to speculate on the price of an asset without having to worry about the contract expiring. However, perpetual contracts come with a unique set of risks, one of which is the funding fee.

The funding fee is a fee that is paid by traders who are holding a long position (i.e., betting that the price of the asset will go up) to traders who are holding a short position (i.e., betting that the price of the asset will go down). The funding fee is designed to incentivize traders to keep the market balanced. If there are too many traders holding long positions, the funding fee will be positive, which will encourage traders to close their long positions and open short positions. Conversely, if there are too many traders holding short positions, the funding fee will be negative, which will encourage traders to close their short positions and open long positions.

The funding fee can be a significant cost for traders, especially if they are holding a position for a long period of time. For example, if the funding fee is 0.01% per day, a trader who holds a $100,000 position for one year will pay $365 in funding fees.

For someone who just entered the crypto market or is still unfamiliar with perpetual contracts, understanding why funding fees exist and when they can be a problem is essential. Here's why:

Constant Funding: Unlike traditional futures contracts that have a fixed expiration date, perpetual contracts remain active indefinitely. Due to this ongoing nature, perpetual contracts require a mechanism to maintain market equilibrium between buyers and sellers. This is where funding fees come into play.

Dynamic Funding Rates: Funding fees are not static and can fluctuate based on the supply and demand for a particular perpetual contract, mimicking the dynamics of spot markets. When there are more buyers than sellers, the funding rate becomes positive, incentivizing short-sellers to enter the market and balance the equation. Conversely, when there are more sellers than buyers, the funding rate turns negative, encouraging long buyers to participate.

Potential Profits and Losses: Funding fees can significantly impact a trader's bottom line, either positively or negatively. Traders profiting from a favorable funding rate may see their earnings boosted, while those on the wrong side of the funding equation could incur additional costs.

Impact on Position Sizing: As funding rates can change rapidly, traders often need to adjust their position sizes accordingly. Overextending with positions during unfavorable funding conditions can lead to substantial losses.

Example:

Consider a trader holding a long position on BTCUSDT perpetual contract when the funding rate is -0.01% per 8 hours. This means the trader pays a fee equivalent to 0.01% of their position's notional value every 8 hours. If the trader holds a position worth $100,000, they would incur a funding fee of $10 every 8 hours.

Implications:

1. Market Equilibrium: Funding fees play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced market by encouraging traders to take opposing positions. This helps prevent extreme price fluctuations.
2. Risk Management: Traders need to be mindful of funding fees and adjust their strategies accordingly. Ignoring funding rates can lead to unexpected losses.
3. Trading Opportunities: Favorable funding rates can create trading opportunities. Traders can capitalize on positive funding rates by holding long positions and vice versa.
4. Exchange Considerations: Different exchanges may have varying funding fee structures and mechanisms. Traders should research and choose exchanges that align with their trading preferences.

Understanding funding fees is crucial for successful perpetual contract trading. By grasping these dynamics, traders can make informed decisions, manage risk effectively, and capitalize on trading opportunities presented by funding rates.