How to calculate HTX's contract liquidation price?

The liquidation price on HTX is crucial for risk management, varying by contract type and calculated using specific formulas based on entry price, leverage, and margin rate.

Apr 05, 2025 at 08:07 pm

Calculating the liquidation price of a contract on HTX (formerly known as Huobi) is crucial for traders to manage their risk effectively. The liquidation price is the price at which a position is automatically closed due to insufficient margin. Understanding how to calculate this price can help traders avoid unexpected liquidations and manage their positions more effectively.

Understanding Margin and Leverage

Before delving into the calculation of the liquidation price, it's essential to understand the concepts of margin and leverage. Margin is the amount of funds required to open and maintain a position, while leverage allows traders to control a larger position with a smaller amount of capital. On HTX, leverage can range from 1x to 125x, depending on the contract and the trader's account settings.

Types of Contracts on HTX

HTX offers various types of contracts, including Inverse Perpetual Contracts and Linear Perpetual Contracts. The calculation of the liquidation price can differ slightly between these types due to their different underlying mechanisms.

• Inverse Perpetual Contracts are denominated in cryptocurrencies and settled in the same cryptocurrency. The value of the contract is inversely related to the price of the underlying asset.
• Linear Perpetual Contracts are denominated in USDT and settled in USDT. The value of the contract moves linearly with the price of the underlying asset.

Formula for Calculating Liquidation Price

The general formula for calculating the liquidation price on HTX depends on whether you are holding a long or short position. Here are the formulas for both types of contracts:

For Long Positions:

• Inverse Perpetual Contracts:
  [
  \text{Liquidation Price} = \frac{\text{Entry Price}}{(1 + \text{Maintenance Margin Rate} \times \text{Leverage})}
  ]
• Linear Perpetual Contracts:
  [
  \text{Liquidation Price} = \text{Entry Price} \times (1 - \frac{1}{\text{Leverage}} + \text{Maintenance Margin Rate})
  ]

For Short Positions:

• Inverse Perpetual Contracts:
  [
  \text{Liquidation Price} = \frac{\text{Entry Price}}{(1 - \text{Maintenance Margin Rate} \times \text{Leverage})}
  ]
• Linear Perpetual Contracts:
  [
  \text{Liquidation Price} = \text{Entry Price} \times (1 + \frac{1}{\text{Leverage}} - \text{Maintenance Margin Rate})
  ]

Step-by-Step Calculation Guide

To calculate the liquidation price, follow these steps:

• Determine the type of contract you are trading (Inverse or Linear Perpetual Contract).
• Identify your entry price, which is the price at which you opened your position.
• Check your leverage, which is the amount of leverage you are using for the position.
• Find the maintenance margin rate, which is the minimum amount of margin required to keep the position open. This rate can vary depending on the contract and is set by HTX.

Once you have these values, you can plug them into the appropriate formula based on whether you are holding a long or short position and the type of contract.

Example Calculation

Let's go through an example to illustrate how to calculate the liquidation price for a long position on an Inverse Perpetual Contract.

• Entry Price: $10,000
• Leverage: 10x
• Maintenance Margin Rate: 0.5%

Using the formula for long positions on Inverse Perpetual Contracts:

[
\text{Liquidation Price} = \frac{10,000}{(1 + 0.005 \times 10)} = \frac{10,000}{1.05} \approx 9,523.81
]

So, the liquidation price for this position would be approximately $9,523.81.

Using HTX's Platform to Verify Liquidation Price

HTX provides tools within its trading platform to help traders verify their liquidation prices. Here's how you can do it:

• Log into your HTX account and navigate to the trading interface.
• Select the contract you are trading.
• Open a position or view an existing position.
• Look for the liquidation price displayed on the position details. HTX automatically calculates and shows this value based on your current position parameters.

Factors Affecting Liquidation Price

Several factors can affect the liquidation price of a contract on HTX:

• Leverage: Higher leverage increases the risk of liquidation as it reduces the margin required to maintain the position.
• Maintenance Margin Rate: A higher maintenance margin rate means a larger buffer is needed to avoid liquidation.
• Position Size: Larger positions require more margin, which can affect the liquidation price.
• Market Volatility: High volatility can lead to rapid price movements, increasing the likelihood of hitting the liquidation price.

Managing Risk to Avoid Liquidation

To manage the risk of liquidation, traders can take several steps:

• Use Stop-Loss Orders: Setting a stop-loss order can help limit losses and prevent a position from reaching the liquidation price.
• Monitor Margin Levels: Regularly check your margin levels to ensure they are sufficient to maintain your positions.
• Adjust Leverage: Lowering leverage can increase the buffer between the current price and the liquidation price.
• Diversify Positions: Spreading risk across multiple positions can reduce the impact of a single position being liquidated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can the liquidation price change after opening a position?

A: Yes, the liquidation price can change if you adjust your position size, leverage, or if the maintenance margin rate changes. Always monitor your position details on HTX to stay updated on your current liquidation price.

Q: What happens if my position is liquidated?

A: If your position is liquidated, HTX will automatically close your position at the liquidation price. Any remaining margin after covering losses and fees will be returned to your account.

Q: Is there a way to avoid liquidation entirely?

A: While it's impossible to avoid liquidation entirely, you can minimize the risk by using stop-loss orders, monitoring your margin levels, and adjusting your leverage and position sizes according to market conditions.

Q: How does HTX handle partial liquidations?

A: HTX may implement partial liquidations in certain scenarios to reduce the risk of full liquidation. This means that only a portion of your position might be closed to bring your margin back to the required level, allowing you to maintain the rest of your position.