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Wondering where can I trade stocks futures with crypto in USA? Cryptocurrency trading has become incredibly popular, and one exciting way to trade is through crypto futures. Futures trading allows people to make money not just when prices go up, but also when they go down, using leverage to amplify their profits potentially. However, with high rewards come higher risks, and choosing the right platform to trade on is important. In this blog, we will review and rank the top crypto futures trading platforms for 2024.
We will compare important features like the types of cryptocurrencies they support, how much leverage they offer, their trading fees, the minimum amount needed to open an account, and how safe they are to use. Our goal is to give you a clear and simple guide to help you pick the best platform for your needs.
Overview of Crypto Futures Trading
Crypto futures trading is a way of speculating on the future price of cryptocurrencies without actually owning the underlying assets. Traders enter into contracts to buy or sell a cryptocurrency at a predetermined price on a specific date in the future. This method allows for potential profit whether the market is moving up or down.
Read More: Futures Spring 2024 Release – More Contracts, More Leverage, and More Platforms |
Types of Crypto Futures
There are different types of crypto futures, each with its own characteristics:
- Perpetual Futures: These contracts do not have an expiry date. They are designed to closely track the spot price of the underlying asset and are settled regularly, often daily.
- Delivery Futures: These contracts have a set expiry date, at which point the contract must be settled. This means the buyer must purchase, and the seller must deliver, the underlying cryptocurrency at the agreed price.
- Inverse Futures: These contracts use Bitcoin (or another crypto) as the base currency rather than traditional fiat currencies like USD. The contract’s value is inversely related to the underlying asset.
Benefits
One of the main attractions of crypto futures trading is the high leverage limits. Leverage allows traders to open positions larger than their actual account balance, potentially increasing their returns. Additionally, crypto futures enable traders to profit from both rising (going long) and falling (going short) markets, providing flexibility and more opportunities to profit.
Risks
However, trading crypto futures also comes with significant risks. One major risk is liquidation, which can occur if the market moves against a leveraged position, causing the trader to lose their margin. Traders must understand leverage and margin calls thoroughly, as mismanaging these can lead to substantial losses. Being aware of these risks and having a solid risk management strategy is essential for anyone looking to venture into crypto futures trading.
Best Crypto Futures Trading Platforms for 2024
| Platform | Overview | Pros | Cons |
| Bitget | A rapidly growing platform offering futures contracts settled in USDC, USDT, and cryptocurrency, with advanced features. | – Growing rapidly- USDC, USDT, and crypto futures- Trading bots & copy trading- New trader bonuses | – Less established- Fewer options than major exchanges |
| KuCoin | Known for high trading volumes and extensive futures markets, supporting both linear and inverse contracts with leverage. | – High trading volumes- Linear & inverse futures- Supports meme coins- Leverage up to 100x | – Higher fees- No options trading |
| Kraken | Offers perpetual futures for 95 cryptocurrencies with advanced trading tools and strong security. | – Strong reputation- Perpetual futures for 95 cryptos- Advanced tools- Easy fiat deposits | – Lower leverage (50x)- Lengthy KYC process |
| NinjaTrader | A comprehensive platform for active futures traders with advanced tools and customizable charting across platforms. | – Low intraday commissions- Integrated platforms- Simulation trading- 24-hour support | – Limited market options- Market data costs for live trading |
| Interactive Brokers (IBKR) | A platform for professional traders with access to global markets, offering advanced tools and low commissions. | – Global market access- Advanced tools- Low commissions for high-volume traders | – Steep learning curve |
Now, let’s look at these crypto futures trading platforms in detail:
1. Bitget
Bitget is a newer player in the world of crypto futures trading but has quickly become popular due to smart decisions and fast growth. Bitget offers different types of futures contracts, including those settled in USDC, USDT, and the actual cryptocurrency.
Bitget makes its futures trading platform special with advanced features like trading bots and copy trading. These tools let users automatically follow the trades of more experienced investors, making it easier for beginners to start trading.
To attract more users and compete with other big exchanges, Bitget offers attractive bonuses for new traders and hosts the KCGI futures trading competition.
While Bitget has many cryptocurrencies available for futures trading, it doesn’t have as many options as some of the bigger exchanges like Binance, Bybit, MEXC, and OKX.
| Pros | Cons |
| Quickly gained popularity due to smart strategies. | Lacks the established reputation of older exchanges. |
| Offers futures contracts in USDC, USDT, and cryptocurrencies. | Fewer options compared to larger exchanges. |
| Includes trading bots and copy trading for ease of use. | Competes with more established exchanges with more features. |
| Provides bonuses for new traders. | |
| Hosts events like the KCGI futures trading competition. |
2. KuCoin
KuCoin is known for its high trading volumes and extensive futures markets, supporting both linear and inverse contracts. With leverage up to 100x and slightly higher fees (0.06%), KuCoin also supports many meme coins and fiat deposits.
| Pros | Cons |
| High trading volumes | Higher fees than the industry average |
| Linear and inverse futures | No options trading |
| Wide range of supported cryptos, including meme coins | |
| Leverage up to 100x |
3. Kraken
Kraken offers perpetual futures for 95 cryptocurrencies with leverage up to 50x. The platform charges 0.05% per trade and is known for its advanced trading tools and strong security measures.
| Pros | Cons |
| Established platform with a strong reputation | Lower leverage (50x) |
| Perpetual futures for 95 cryptocurrencies | Lengthy KYC process |
| Advanced trading suite | |
| Easy fiat deposits |
4. NinjaTrader
NinjaTrader is a comprehensive trading platform designed specifically for active futures traders. Established in 2003, it has built a strong reputation for offering advanced tools and features that cater to self-directed traders. The platform supports futures trading through integrated desktop, web, and mobile platforms, allowing users to trade seamlessly across different devices. In 2023, NinjaTrader introduced new cloud-based platforms and a custom-built trading tool for event-based futures, reflecting its commitment to innovation.
One of NinjaTrader’s standout features is its robust charting capabilities, which are highly customizable and allow for direct trading from charts. This makes it easier for traders to analyze market data and execute trades in real-time. The platform also offers simulation trading, enabling users to practice their strategies without risking real money.
| Pros | Cons |
| Low Intraday Commissions: Especially beneficial for frequent traders. | Limited Market Options: No direct support for equity or options trading. |
| Integrated Trading Platforms: Supports trading across desktop, web, and mobile with customizable charts. | Market Data Costs: Live trading requires purchasing market data subscriptions. |
| Simulation Trading: Practice trading without financial risk. | |
| 24-Hour Support: Available during the trading week for continuous assistance. |
5. Interactive Brokers (IBKR)
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a leading platform tailored for professional and advanced traders, renowned for providing access to most markets globally through a single platform. Established in 1978, IBKR has built a reputation for its sophisticated trading technology and comprehensive suite of tools, making it ideal for large-scale and high-volume traders.
The platform supports a wide range of trading strategies, including complex and automated trading, with features like backtesting, algorithm development, and advanced order types. Additionally, IBKR offers low commissions, particularly beneficial for traders executing large volumes of trades. While the platform has introduced options like IBKR Lite to cater to less experienced traders, its robust features and higher margin requirements make it especially suitable for seasoned professionals.
| Pros | Cons |
| Extensive Market Access: The most diverse range of markets available on a single platform, catering to global traders. | Steep Learning Curve: The platform’s complexity can be intimidating for less experienced or casual traders, requiring time and effort to fully master its advanced features. |
| Advanced Trading Tools: Supports complex strategies with features like backtesting, sophisticated order types, and the ability to develop and deploy custom trading algorithms. | |
| Low Commissions: Offers significant savings for high-volume traders, with tiered pricing based on trading volume. |
How to Get Started with Crypto Futures Trading in the US
Step1: Choosing the Right Platform
- Recap of key considerations.
- Personal preferences and trading goals.
Step 2: Creating an Account
- Basic steps to sign up.
- Verification processes.
Step 3: Depositing Funds
- Accepted payment methods.
- Initial deposit requirements.
Step 4: Placing Your First Trade
- Basic guide to placing a futures trade.
- Understanding order types (market, limit, stop-loss).
Steps to Consider When Choosing a Crypto Futures Trading Platform
Identify the Types of Futures Markets Supported
- Check if the platform offers perpetual futures (no expiry date, settled daily).
- Look for delivery futures (settled on a specific date).
- Consider platforms with inverse futures (base currency is a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin).
Assess Leverage Limits
- Determine the maximum leverage the platform offers.
- Compare leverage limits across different platforms (e.g., 100x vs. 50x).
- Choose a platform with leverage limits that match your risk tolerance and trading strategy.
Compare Trading Fees
- Understand the maker/taker fee structure on each platform.
- Compare the fees to see how they might impact your profitability.
- Select a platform with a fee structure that maximizes your potential earnings, especially if you trade frequently.
Evaluate Safety and Reputation
- Ensure the platform complies with regulatory standards.
- Check for robust security features, such as proof of reserves.
- Read user reviews and industry ratings to gauge the platform’s reputation.
Review User Experience and Tools
- Look for a user-friendly interface for efficient trading.
- Check if the platform integrates with tools like TradingView for advanced charting and analysis.
- Consider the availability of educational resources and demo accounts, which are beneficial for beginners.
Examine Customer Support
- Assess the availability and quality of customer support (e.g., 24/7 support through live chat, email, or phone).
- Ensure the platform offers reliable customer support to assist you when needed.
- Good customer support is crucial for resolving issues and answering questions, enhancing your overall trading experience.
Conclusion
This blog has walked you through the world of cryptocurrency futures trading platforms for 2024, highlighting why they matter in the crypto market and focusing on important aspects like leverage, flexibility in trading, and safety. We’ve reviewed the top platforms, looking closely at what they offer in terms of markets you can trade, how much leverage you can use, the fees involved, and what you need to get started. Whether you’re new to trading or have experience, the goal was to give you clear insights to help you choose the right platform that matches how you want to trade and your goals. Take some time to explore these platforms further and find the one that fits best for you.
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Disclaimer: This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide tax, legal, or financial advice. You should consult your tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.
