The best crypto leverage trading platforms offer secure, reputable, and trustworthy exchanges for traders looking to trade crypto with leverage.
In this guide, I rank and review the 10 best crypto leverage trading platforms for 2024.
Discover which exchanges offer the highest leverage limits with the most competitive fees. I also compare platforms based on supported markets, user-friendliness, safety, and trading tools.
Top Crypto Leverage Trading Platforms Ranked
The best platforms offering crypto leverage trading are listed below:
- Margex – The overall best platform for crypto trading with leverage
- MEXC – Top-rated crypto exchange offering 200x leverage limits
- OKX – Great option for trading leveraged crypto options
- Binance – Leverage trade crypto futures via automated bots
- ByBit – Feature-Rich Crypto Exchange with Up to 100x Leverage
- PrimeXBT – Leading Crypto Exchange Offering Up to 100x Leverage on Multiple Assets
- KuCoin – Track leveraged tokens without liquidation risks
- Gate.io – No KYC exchange offering weekly and quarterly delivery futures
- Phemex – Crypto Exchange Offering Up to 100x Leverage with Zero-Fee Trading Options
- Poloniex – Well-Established Crypto Exchange Offering Leverage Up to 100x
Reviewing the Best Crypto Leverage Trading Platforms
Learn more about the leverage trading crypto platforms listed above. I go into a lot more detail, covering maximum leverage limits, available pairs, fees, and more.
1. Margex – The Overall Best Platform for Crypto Trading With Leverage
Margex is the best option when trading crypto with leverage. It specializes in perpetual futures, which are crypto derivatives. Perpetuals never expire, making them more user-friendly to trade. Margex supports some of the best cryptocurrencies to buy, including large caps like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and BNB. These cryptocurrencies can be traded with 100x leverage.
More than a dozen other altcoins can be traded with 50x leverage, including Cosmos, Uniswap, Solana, Cardano, EOS, and Litecoin. Some markets, including Aave, Ethereum Classic, and Filecoin, offer leverage of up to 25x. All leveraged markets can be traded with commissions of 0.06% per slide. This makes Margex one of the best Bitcoin exchanges for low fees.
In addition, you’ll also need to cover funding fees. These are charged every eight hours and will vary depending on the pair. You can easily view funding fees within your account dashboard. According to our Margex review, the platform doesn’t require you to complete a KYC process, so you can deposit and withdraw crypto anonymously. While Margex is a global trading platform, clients from the US are not eligible.
Margex Key Features:
- Perpetual Futures: Margex specializes in perpetual futures trading, a popular derivative that has no expiry date, making it more user-friendly and easier to manage for traders compared to traditional futures.
- High Leverage on Major Cryptos: My third favorite platform offers up to 100x leverage on major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and BNB, giving traders the ability to significantly amplify their trading positions with minimal capital.
- Altcoin Trading with Competitive Leverage: In addition to large-cap cryptos, Margex supports more than a dozen altcoins with leverage of up to 50x, including Cosmos, Uniswap, Solana, Cardano, EOS, and Litecoin. Smaller assets like Aave, Ethereum Classic, and Filecoin can be traded with up to 25x leverage.
- Funding Fees: Leveraged positions come with funding fees that are charged every eight hours. These fees vary depending on the trading pair and are easily accessible via the Margex account dashboard.
- Low Trading Fees: Margex is recognized for its competitive fee structure, charging just 0.06% per trade (per slide), making it one of the lowest-cost platforms for perpetual futures trading.
| Trading Platform | Max Leverage | Standard Commissions | Leveraged Markets |
| Margex | 100x | 0.06% | Perpetual futures |
Pros
- The best place to trade Bitcoin with leverage
- Maximum leverage limit of 100x
- Supports perpetual futures
- Low trading commissions of 0.06%
- Also one of the best no KYC crypto exchanges
Cons
- US traders are prohibited from joining
- Some markets are limited to 25x leverage
Be sure to check out our full Margex Review for more info on this top-rated crypto exchange.
2. MEXC – Top-Rated Crypto Exchange Offering 200x Leverage Limits
MEXC is a popular crypto exchange that offers low fees on thousands of trading pairs. As one of the best crypto futures trading platforms, it provides high leverage limits on perpetual futures markets. Contracts can be settled in USDT or the underlying crypto. 200x leverage is offered on large-cap cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Solana, Ethereum, and Dogecoin.
This amounts to $200,000 worth of trading capital for every $1,000 risked. Some markets come with lower leverage limits. For example, MEXC offers leverage of 125x on Bonk, and 50x on dogwifhat. In terms of fees, perpetual futures can be traded at 0.02%. Those holding MEXC’s native tokens, MX, will enjoy a 50% discount.
Leverage also invites funding fees, which are charged every eight hours. MEXC offers an advanced trading dashboard that comes with in-depth order books and technical indicators. It also offers a native mobile app for Android and iOS. There are no KYC requirements but withdrawal limits will apply.
MEXC Key Features:
- High Leverage Limits: MEXC allows users to leverage up to 200x on major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, making it ideal for traders looking to maximize their potential profits with relatively small capital.
- Low Fees: Perpetual futures trading comes with some of the lowest fees in the industry, at just 0.02%. Plus, if you’re holding MEXC’s native MX tokens, you’ll enjoy a 50% discount on these fees.
- No KYC Requirements: MEXC offers the convenience of trading without needing to go through lengthy KYC verification, although withdrawal limits may apply.
- Advanced Trading Tools: The platform is equipped with a user-friendly dashboard that provides comprehensive technical analysis tools, in-depth order books, and a variety of indicators for traders to make informed decisions.
- Variety of Markets: Beyond large-cap assets, MEXC offers leveraged trading on a wide range of smaller tokens with adjusted leverage limits, ensuring diverse trading opportunities.
| Trading Platform | Max Leverage | Standard Commissions | Leveraged Markets |
| MEXC | 200x | 0.02% | Perpetual futures |
Pros
- One of the largest selections of leveraged markets
- Trade with leverage of up to 200x
- Competitive futures commissions of 0.02%
- Contracts can be settled in USDT or the underlying crypto
- Offers advanced charting and analysis tools
Cons
- Doesn’t support fiat money withdrawals
- Unable to accept clients from some countries – including the US
3. OKX – Great Option for Trading Leveraged Crypto Options
OKX is one of the best crypto leverage platforms for trading options. It supports two options markets; BTC/USD and ETH/USD. OKX offers an advanced options chain that enables you to make smart trading decisions. This includes the delta, gamma, vega, and theta for multiple strike prices. Multiple expiry dates are supported too, ensuring complete flexibility.
OKX offers European-style options, meaning you can dip in and out of the market freely. Another option at OKX is to trade futures. It supports perpetual swaps and delivery futures on many cryptocurrencies, including Dogecoin, Toncoin, XRP, and Solana. The maximum leverage limit is 100x. Lower limits may be offered on small-cap markets.
I found that OKX fees are competitive. Options can be traded from 0.03%. Futures come with a 0.05% commission. Funding fees will also apply. OKX is also a great option for accessing Web 3 products. It offers a decentralized exchange and wallet that supports DeFi yields. OKX is also popular for its spot trading markets.
OKX Key Features:
- Comprehensive Options Trading: OKX is highly regarded for its advanced options trading platform, supporting two key markets: BTC/USD and ETH/USD. The options chain includes detailed metrics such as delta, gamma, vega, and theta, providing essential insights for informed trading decisions.
- Flexible Expiry Dates: This platform offers multiple expiry dates for its options contracts, ensuring traders have the flexibility to choose the best timeframes for their strategies.
- Futures Trading: In addition to options, OKX supports perpetual swaps and delivery futures on a range of cryptocurrencies, including popular assets like Dogecoin, XRP, Toncoin, and Solana. The maximum leverage on these futures is up to 100x, though smaller-cap markets may offer lower limits.
- Competitive Fees: OKX offers some of the lowest fees in the industry, with options trading commissions starting at 0.03% and futures at 0.05%. Funding fees apply for leveraged positions, as is common in perpetual futures markets.
- Web3 Integration: Another reason why I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend OKX is its integration with the decentralized world, offering a DEX and wallet that supports DeFi yield farming. This provides additional earning opportunities outside of traditional trading.
| Trading Platform | Max Leverage | Standard Commissions | Leveraged Markets |
| OKX | 100x | 0.03% (options), 0.05% (futures) | Options, perpetual futures, delivery futures, leveraged tokens |
Pros
- Best crypto leverage trading platform for options
- Offers a full options chain for Bitcoin and Ethereum
- Also supports perpetual and delivery futures
- Competitive trading commissions
- Maximum leverage of 100x
Cons
- Some markets come with much smaller leverage limits
- Isn’t US-friendly
4. Binance – Leverage Trade Crypto Futures via Automated Bots
Binance is the largest leveraged trading platform globally. It processed more than $70 billion worth of leveraged trades in the past 24 hours. Traders not only benefit from huge liquidity levels but also competitive fees. What’s more, Binance enables users to trade leveraged markets passively. It offers thousands of automated bots that specialize in perpetual futures.
This means the trading bot will buy and sell futures contracts on your behalf. You can set your risk parameters, such as the maximum leverage limit. Binance offers up to 125x on BTC/USD, and less on other markets. You can filter bots by the return on investment, minimum run time, preferred trading pair, and other metrics.
Some bots come with a minimum investment of under $10. This means you can easily diversify without risking too much. Alternatively, Binance also supports leveraged options, which must be traded manually. Supported options markets include Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB, Dogecoin, and XRP.
Binance Key Features:
- Largest Crypto Derivatives Platform: Binance is the largest leveraged trading platform globally, with over 186 million traders and more than $70 billion in trading volume processed daily, providing unmatched liquidity levels for users.
- High Leverage Limits: This well-known platform offers up to 125x leverage on major pairs like BTC/USD, enabling traders to take large positions with minimal capital. Leverage on other markets is slightly lower but still competitive.
- Automated Trading with Bots: Binance allows users to trade perpetual futures passively through automated bots. These bots can buy and sell on your behalf based on your chosen risk parameters, such as leverage limits. With thousands of bots available, you can filter by ROI, trading pair, and minimum investment, some of which start at under $10.
- Leveraged Options Trading: In addition to futures, this tool supports manual trading of leveraged options on popular assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB, Dogecoin, and XRP, providing a diverse range of trading opportunities.
- Diverse Leveraged Markets: Beyond futures and options, Binance also supports leveraged tokens, offering traders even more ways to capitalize on market movements.
| Platform | Max Leverage | Standard Commissions | Leveraged Markets |
| Binance | 125x | 0.03% (options), 0.05% (futures) | Options, perpetual futures, leveraged tokens |
Pros
- The largest derivatives platform by trading volume
- Used by over 186 million traders
- Auto trade leveraged futures via bots
- Maximum leverage limits of 125x
- Also offers options trading on five pairs
Cons
- Increased geo-blocking restrictions on leveraged markets
- Some nationalities are unable to deposit fiat money
5. ByBit – Feature-Rich Crypto Exchange with Up to 100x Leverage
ByBit is a well-regarded crypto exchange known for its advanced features and deep liquidity, particularly in the leveraged trading markets. It provides up to 100x leverage on perpetual futures contracts, making it a favorite among professional traders. ByBit offers contracts settled in USDT, BTC, or the underlying crypto.
For every $1,000 risked, traders can access up to $100,000 in trading capital. While ByBit doesn’t offer leverage that’s as high as some competitors like MEXC, it provides ample flexibility, especially for large-cap assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. Fees are competitive, with perpetual futures contracts traded at 0.06%. ByBit also has a robust risk management system in place, including isolated and cross-margin trading.
The platform boasts a highly intuitive interface, offering a range of technical analysis tools, customizable chart layouts, and in-depth order books. ByBit’s mobile app ensures that traders can manage their positions on the go. Similar to MEXC, ByBit doesn’t require KYC for basic accounts, though higher withdrawal limits are available after verification.
ByBit Key Features:
- Leverage Up to 100x: This top platform enables traders to leverage up to 100x on popular cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, providing an attractive balance of risk and reward for experienced traders.
- Competitive Fees: ByBit charges 0.06% for perpetual futures trading, which is competitive compared to other platforms. Maker rebates also provide an additional benefit for liquidity providers.
- No KYC for Basic Accounts: With ByBit, you can trade without KYC verification, although limits apply for withdrawals and certain account features.
- Advanced Trading Interface: ByBit offers a sleek and highly customizable trading dashboard, packed with technical analysis tools, in-depth order books, and multiple order types for strategic trading.
- Isolated and Cross-Margin Options: Traders can choose between isolated and cross-margin, giving them more control over risk management in their leveraged positions.
| Platform | Max Leverage | Standard Commissions | Leveraged Markets |
| ByBit | 1oox | 0.06% (options) | Perpetual futures |
Pros
- Competitive leverage of up to 100x on popular cryptocurrencies.
- Maker rebates reduce trading costs.
- User-friendly interface with advanced trading tools.
- Strong mobile app for trading on the go.
- Isolated and cross-margin options for better risk management.
Cons
- Not available to users in some countries, including the US.
- Fees for perpetual contracts are slightly higher than some competitors.
6. PrimeXBT – Leading Crypto Exchange Offering Up to 100x Leverage on Multiple Assets
PrimeXBT is a versatile crypto exchange that stands out for offering leverage up to 100x, not only on cryptocurrencies but also on traditional assets like stocks, commodities, and forex. This makes it an ideal platform for traders looking for diverse trading options under one roof. PrimeXBT allows users to trade with leverage on popular crypto assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, and offers flexible margin options.
Traders can look forward to $100,000 in trading capital for every staked $1,000. The platform offers a reasonable leverage of 100X, as do rivals ByBit and Margex. Its wide range of tradable assets and low fees also make it a competitive option. PrimeXBT charges a 0.05% trading fee on crypto margin trades, and users can further lower fees by participating in the platform’s referral program.
The platform is known for its advanced charting tools, customizable technical analysis options, and integrated copy trading features. Traders can also manage their accounts via PrimeXBT’s fully-featured mobile app. KYC is not required, providing users with privacy and convenience, though account verification can unlock additional benefits.
PrimeXBT Key Features:
- Leverage Up to 100x on Crypto and Traditional Assets: PrimeXBT allows traders to access up to 100x leverage on cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as traditional markets, such as forex and commodities.
- Low Trading Fees: With PrimeXBT you get a competitive 0.05% trading fee on margin trades, making it cost-effective for frequent traders.
- No KYC Required: PrimeXBT does not require KYC for its users, enabling anonymous trading, although verified accounts benefit from higher limits and additional features.
- Copy Trading Feature: The copy trading that this platform uses is integrated, allowing users to follow and replicate the strategies of successful traders. This makes it an attractive option for beginners or those looking to diversify their trading strategies.
- Mobile Trading: PrimeXBT’s mobile app is available for iOS and Android, giving traders the flexibility to manage their portfolios and positions from anywhere.
| Platform | Max Leverage | Standard Commissions | Leveraged Markets |
| PrimeXBT | 1oox | 0.05% | Crypto, stocks, forex, commodities |
Pros
- Leverage of up to 100x on both cryptocurrencies and traditional assets.
- Low trading fees, with the option to lower fees through the referral program.
- Advanced charting and technical analysis tools.
- Integrated copy trading feature for beginners and diversification.
- No KYC required for basic accounts, offering privacy and convenience.
Cons
- Limited support for smaller, lesser-known cryptocurrencies.
- Not available in some countries, including the US.
7. KuCoin – Track Leveraged Tokens Without Liquidation Risks
KuCoin is a tier-one exchange with over 30 million clients from more than 200 countries. It’s one of the best crypto leverage trading platforms for avoiding liquidity risks. This is because KuCion offers tracked leveraged tokens. It means your profit and losses will be amplified by the chosen leverage limit.
The maximum leverage permitted is 3x the stake. For instance, suppose you opt for the ADA3L market. This means you’re long on Cardano with a 3x multiple. So, let’s say Cardano increases by 30%. At 3x, your gains would amount to 90%. Conversely, if Cardano dropped by 20%, you’d be looking at losses of 60%.
Crucially, without liquidation risks, your position won’t be closed automatically. KuCoin also offers other leveraged products. This includes perpetual futures settled in USDT or the underlying crypto. Trading with leverage costs 0.06% of the position size. Leveraged tokens commissions are 0.1% per slide. You’ll also pay subscription and redemption fees of 0.1%.
KuCoin Key Features:
- Tracked Leveraged Tokens: KuCoin is ideal for traders looking to avoid liquidity risks, as it offers tracked leveraged tokens with no risk of liquidation. These tokens amplify your profits and losses by the chosen leverage, up to 3x. For example, a 30% rise in Cardano (ADA) in the ADA3L market could yield a 90% gain with 3x leverage, while a 20% drop would lead to a 60% loss.
- Perpetual Futures Trading: KuCoin also offers perpetual futures trading, allowing leverage up to 100x on major cryptocurrencies. Futures contracts can be settled in USDT or the underlying asset, providing flexibility for traders.
- No Liquidation Risk: One of KuCoin’s standout features is its tracked leveraged tokens, which eliminate the risk of liquidation. Your position won’t be closed automatically due to sudden market movements, making it a safer option for leveraged trading.
- Global Reach: With over 30 million users in more than 200 countries, KuCoin is a popular platform for traders looking for a wide range of leveraged products with global accessibility.
- Subscription and Redemption Fees: In addition to trading commissions, KuCoin charges 0.1% for both subscription and redemption on leveraged tokens, making it important to factor these costs into your trading strategy.
| Trading Platform | Max Leverage | Standard Commissions | Leveraged Markets |
| KuCoin | 100x | 0.1% per slide, plus 0.1% for subscription and redemption (leveraged tokens), 0.06% (futures) | Leveraged tokens, perpetual futures |
Pros
- Offers crypto leverage without liquidation risks
- Covers a wide range of leveraged markets
- Also offers perpetual futures with 100x leverage
- Contracts can be settled in USDT or the underlying crypto
- Used by more than 30 million clients globally
Cons
- Doesn’t offer delivery futures
- Leveraged tokens are capped at 3x
8. Gate.io – No KYC Exchange Offering Weekly and Quarterly Delivery Futures
Gate.io is a high-volume crypto exchange that was launched in 2013. It offers many derivative-style products that come with high leverage limits. This includes delivery futures with weekly and quarterly settlement dates. These are settled in USDT and are ideal for hedging and arbitrage trading. Alternatively, Gate.io also offers perpetual swaps.
This covers some of the best altcoins, such as Ethereum, Cosmos, XRP, and Litecoin. Gate.io is also a great option for trading crypto options. A huge range of strike prices and expiry dates are supported. In terms of limits, the maximum leverage at Gate.io is 100x. Like other platforms, limits are reduced when trading small-cap markets.
Gate.io uses a progressive fee structure that rewards high trading volumes. For example, futures can be traded at 0.05%. But this is reduced to 0.048% when trading at least $60,000 within a 30-day period. Gate.io offers anonymous accounts with daily withdrawal limits of 100,000 USDT. This means you can access leverage without completing KYC.
Gate.io Key Features:
- High Leverage on Derivative Products: Gate.io offers high leverage of up to 100x on various derivative products, including perpetual swaps and delivery futures. These futures are available with weekly and quarterly settlement dates, ideal for traders engaging in hedging or arbitrage strategies.
- Progressive Fee Structure: On Gate.io, you can look forward to a dynamic fee structure that rewards high-volume traders. Standard futures trading fees start at 0.05%, but these can be reduced to 0.048% for traders who reach a 30-day trading volume of $60,000 or more, making it cost-effective for active traders.
- Anonymous Trading: Gate.io allows users to trade with leverage without needing to complete KYC verification. Anonymous accounts have a generous daily withdrawal limit of 100,000 USDT, giving users privacy while still offering significant trading potential.
- Diverse Leveraged Markets: In addition to perpetual swaps and delivery futures, this tool also supports crypto options trading with a wide range of strike prices and expiry dates. This makes it a versatile platform for traders looking to diversify their leveraged positions.
- In-Depth Options Chains: Gate.io’s options trading feature is comprehensive, offering an extensive range of strike prices and expiry dates, making it suitable for experienced options traders. However, the fee structure for options trading can be complex and varies based on factors like underlying price and order amount.
| Trading Platform | Max Leverage | Standard Commissions | Leveraged Markets |
| Gate.io | 100x | 0.05% (futures), see options fee below* | Options, perpetual futures, delivery futures |
*Options fee formula: MIN (Trading Fee Rate x Underlying Price, 0.1 x Order Price) x ABS (Order Amount) x Contract Multiplier
Pros
- Access crypto leverage anonymously
- Withdraw up to 100,000 USDT daily without KYC
- Choose from perpetual and delivery futures
- Also offers in-depth options chains
- Maximum leverage of 100x
Cons
- Complicated options trading fees
- Not available in most European countries
9. Phemex – Crypto Exchange Offering Up to 100x Leverage with Zero-Fee Trading Options
Phemex is a user-focused crypto exchange known for its robust leverage trading capabilities, offering up to 100x leverage on popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. One of the standout features of Phemex is its zero-fee spot trading for premium members, making it attractive to frequent traders. The platform supports both crypto and contract trading, with perpetual futures settled in USDT or the underlying crypto asset.
With $100,000 in leverage for every $1,000 risked, this brand provides significant capital for high-risk, high-reward strategies. Phemex’s leverage options are competitive, although some markets come with slightly lower limits. Trading fees for non-premium users are 0.075% for takers and 0.025% for makers, and funding fees apply every eight hours for leveraged positions.
Phemex offers an intuitive trading dashboard with advanced charting tools, technical indicators, and multiple order types for strategic trading. Additionally, Phemex’s mobile app ensures users can monitor and manage their trades on the go. KYC is optional, offering privacy to users, though enhanced features are available to verified accounts.
Phemex Key Features:
- Zero-Fee Spot Trading for Premium Users: One of the unique offerings of Phemex is zero-fee spot trading for premium members, making it a cost-effective platform for frequent traders.
- Leverage Up to 100x: Phemex allows traders to leverage up to 100x on popular crypto assets, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, making it ideal for those looking to amplify their trading capital.
- Optional KYC: I’m keen on this platform as it offers the flexibility of trading without mandatory KYC. Still, account verification unlocks additional features and higher withdrawal limits.
- Advanced Trading Interface: Phemex’s trading dashboard provides comprehensive tools for technical analysis, with customizable charts, in-depth order books, and a variety of order types.
- Variety of Contract Markets: The platform supports a wide range of perpetual contracts, giving traders the flexibility to engage in various crypto and non-crypto markets.
| Platform | Max Leverage | Standard Commissions | Leveraged Markets |
| Phemex | 100x | 0.075% taker / 0.025% maker | Perpetual futures |
Pros
- Offers up to 100x leverage on major cryptocurrencies.
- Zero-fee spot trading for premium members.
- Intuitive trading platform with advanced technical analysis tools.
- Flexible KYC requirements allow for privacy.
- Mobile app for easy trading on the go.
Cons
- Leverage limited to 100x, which is lower than some competitors.
- Premium membership required to access zero-fee trading.
10. Poloniex – Well-Established Crypto Exchange Offering Leverage Up to 100x
Poloniex is a long-standing player in the cryptocurrency space, offering leverage trading on major digital assets. With up to 100x leverage available on perpetual futures, Poloniex allows traders to amplify their positions on popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tron. The platform is known for its ease of use, making it a great choice for both beginners and seasoned traders.
Poloniex’s leverage is capped at 100x for the most liquid markets, though lower limits may apply to smaller assets. Trading fees are competitive, with Poloniex charging 0.075% for takers and 0.02% for makers on futures trades. Additionally, the platform charges funding fees every eight hours for leveraged positions.
Poloniex’s interface is pretty user-friendly, and comes with detailed charts, customizable indicators, and multiple order types to support various trading strategies. The platform offers mobile trading through its dedicated app, allowing users to manage positions on the go. While KYC is optional for smaller accounts, Poloniex offers increased limits and features for verified users.
Poloniex Key Features:
- Competitive Trading Fees: Futures trades come with a taker fee of 0.075% and a maker fee of 0.02%, ensuring that users pay relatively low fees for their transactions.
- Wide Range of Assets: In addition to major cryptocurrencies, Poloniex offers leverage trading on a wide selection of altcoins, giving traders more opportunities to diversify their portfolios.
- Mobile Trading App: The Poloniex mobile app, available on Android and iOS, allows users to trade and manage positions from anywhere, providing a seamless trading experience on the go.
- Leverage Up to 100x: Poloniex offers up to 100x leverage on large-cap cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, providing ample room for traders to increase their exposure.
- Advanced Trading Tools: Poloniex’s platform offers advanced charting options, customizable indicators, and detailed order books, making it suitable for both novice and experienced traders.
| Platform | Max Leverage | Standard Commissions | Leveraged Markets |
| Poloniex | 100x | 0.075% taker / 0.02% maker | Perpetual futures |
Pros
- Offers up to 100x leverage on a variety of cryptocurrencies.
- Competitive fees for futures trading, with discounts for maker trades.
- No mandatory KYC for smaller accounts, allowing privacy.
- Mobile app with full trading functionality.
- Supports a wide range of altcoins for leveraged trading.
Cons
- Leverage limited to 100x, which may not suit high-risk traders seeking more.
- Some smaller cryptocurrencies have lower leverage limits.
What is Crypto Leverage Trading?
In simple terms, leverage amplifies a trading position by a certain multiple. This means you can trade with more than you deposited in a crypto exchange. For example, suppose you have an account balance of $500. Applying leverage of 20x would boost that $500 by 20 times. As such, you can enter a trading position worth $10,000.
Leverage is supplied by the platform, meaning you’re borrowing funds. Interest is charged when trading crypto with leverage, which is based on the total value of the position. This means leverage trading is only suitable for short-term speculation. Most crypto leverage products are traded via derivatives.
This means you don’t own the underlying coins or tokens. Perpetual futures are the most commonly traded product. These are futures contracts without an expiry date. Some platforms also offer delivery futures, which often come with weekly or quarterly settlement times. Options are another way to trade with leverage.
It’s important to know that leverage is a high-risk strategy. What’s more, the risks increase in line with the leverage multiple. This is because of liquidation, which closes a trade when it declines by a predetermined percentage. Liquidation results in the original margin being lost. This means you can lose your entire trading bankroll in one trade.
How Does Leverage Trading Crypto Work?
Leverage crypto trading is best left for experienced traders who can effectively manage risk. While leveraged positions can amplify profits significantly, the same goes for losses.
With this in mind, I’ll now explain how crypto leverage works in a lot more detail. This will help you evaluate whether leverage is right for your risk appetite.
Choosing Leverage Level (2x to 100x+)
The first step is assessing how much leverage you want to apply. Maximum limits are determined by two factors; the trading platform and the crypto pair. Most platforms offer the highest limits on large-cap pairs like BTC/USD and ETH/USD. For instance, you’ll get up to 200x and 100x at MEXC and Margex, respectively.
However, trading smaller-cap markets will mean lower leverage. For example, MEXC reduces the maximum leverage to 125x when trading Bonk, and 50x when trading dogwifhat. Your chosen leverage limit will be multiplied by the ‘margin’ stake.
In simple terms, the margin is the collateral you put up to execute a leveraged position. So, suppose you’re looking to risk $1,000. Using leverage of 100x would increase the position from $1,000 to $100,000. However, you could lose your entire $1,000 margin, so think carefully when evaluating stakes. What’s more, higher margin levels increase funding fees.
If your trade is profitable, the percentage gain is multiplied by the total position size, not the margin. For instance, suppose your margin is $500 and you apply 200x leverage. The total position size is $100,000. You go long on BTC/USD, which increases by 10%. This means you’ve made 10% of $100,000 – so your profit is $10,000.
Placing Your Order
It’s important to place orders correctly when trading crypto with leverage.
Here’s what information you’d need to provide to the exchange:
- Long/Short: Leverage is traded via derivatives, meaning you can go long or short. Choose a buy order if you believe the pair will increase. Or a sell order if you think the pair will decline in value.
- Market/Limit: You can execute a trade instantly by selecting a market order. This is fine when trading large-cap pairs. However, limit orders are more suitable when trading smaller-cap markets. This enables you to specify the order execution price.
- Trade Quantity: The trade quantity also needs to be stated when completing an order. Most leveraged products are quoted in USDT. Just remember, this is the margin that you’re willing to risk.
- Leverage Multiple: The leverage multiple also needs to be stated. Most exchanges offer a slider button. Move the slider to the required multiple, such as 5x or 10x.
These are the fundamental requirements when placing a leveraged order. However, I strongly advise traders to also set up risk management positions. This will limit potential losses and lock in profits.
- Stop-Loss: Choose the trading price that you want the position to close automatically. For instance, suppose you’re entering a long trade at $100 per token. If you want to limit losses to 10%, set the stop-loss order at $90. Make sure the stop-loss level is above the liquidation price. More on this shortly.
- Take-Profit: Enter the take-profit price, which will close the leveraged position once triggered. For example, suppose you want to make 30% gains. Based on a $100 entry price, set the take-profit level at $130.
Finally, check everything is correct before placing the order. You won’t need to watch over the markets manually. This is because you’ve installed a stop-loss and take-profit order. The position will be closed automatically when one of these price levels is triggered. That said, you always have the option of closing a trade manually.
Interest and Fees
There are two fee categories to look for when crypto leverage trading. First, there are standard commissions, which you pay to enter and exit the market.
Here’s an example:
- Margex charges 0.06% per slide. This is based on the total position size.
- Your margin is $100 and you apply leverage of 100x. This means your total position is $10,000.
- You pay $6 (0.06% of $10,000) to enter the market.
- A few hours later, your leveraged position has increased to $15,000.
- You close the position and pay a commission of $9 (0.06% of $15,000).
On most platforms, commissions will vary depending on the tradable product. For example, Gate.io charges 0.05% to trade perpetual and delivery futures. Options commissions are slightly lower at 0.03%.
The second fee is related to interest. This is because you’re borrowing funds from the exchange, which invites fees. However, there are some considerations to make.
For a start, funding time frames vary depending on the exchange. The platforms I recommend above all charge funding fees every eight hours. However, some brands work with four-hour cycles, others even 24-hour time frames.
In addition, funding rates are percentage-based. This means the more leverage applied, the more you pay.
Here’s a simplistic example:
- A leverage trading platform charges 1% every 24 hours
- Your margin is $100 and you apply leverage of 50x. The total position is $5,000, so you pay $50 interest every 24 hours.
- Now suppose you increase the leverage multiple to 200x. Your total position size is now $20,000. This means your daily interest rate has increased to $200.
Importantly, interest fees are deducted from the margin collateral. If the margin gets too close to the liquidation point, the trade can be closed automatically.
Liquidation
Liquidation is the most important metric to understand when exploring crypto leverage trading. I’ve briefly mentioned how it works, but I’ll now go into a lot more detail.
If your leveraged position is liquidated, it’s automatically closed by the exchange. This means that your original margin collateral is lost. The crucial part is knowing when a trade will be liquidated. The exact formula will vary depending on the exchange.
However, the simple rule of thumb is:
- Liquidation occurs when the value of your position declines by the same percentage as the margin collateral.
For instance:
- Suppose you want to risk $1,000. This is your margin collateral.
- You apply leverage of 25x, which amplifies the $1,000 margin to $25,000 in trading capital.
- Put otherwise, your margin percentage is 4%.
- Let’s say you’re long on ETH/USD. If ETH/USD declines by 4%, your trade will be liquidated.
- In this example, liquidation means you’ve lost your $1,000 margin.
Some additional points to note.
First, the real liquidation point will be more than the margin percentage. This is because you also need to factor in interest fees. As mentioned, fees will be deducted from the margin collateral. This increases the risk of being liquidated. What’s more, most exchanges will send you a ‘margin call’ when you’re approaching liquidation.
This isn’t an actual phone call. Instead, you’ll likely receive an email and see a notification on the trading chart. The margin call allows you to add more collateral to the margin balance. This means the liquidation point moves further away. However, you’re also increasing your losses if prices continue to go against you.
Crypto Leverage vs Margin Trading
Leverage and margin trading both involve amplifying position sizes. The two terms are often used interchangeably – especially in the crypto space. However, each refers to a different part of the trading mechanism.
For example, leverage is the trading multiple. Leverage of 50x means you’re boosting a trading position by 50 times. Margin is the initial collateral that you put up to execute the leveraged trade.
Let’s clear the mist with an example:
- Your account balance is $200. You want to risk the entire balance on a leveraged trade. This means your margin collateral is $200.
- You choose a leverage multiple of 20x. This increases the $200 margin to $4,000 in trading capital.
- As such, you are trading with a margin percentage of 5%.
Leveraged Tokens
In addition, you’ll also come across ‘leveraged tokens’ at some exchanges. This enables you to increase your exposure without liquidation risks. This is because leveraged tokens don’t require loans.
- Let’s take the ‘SOL3L’ market on KuCoin as an example.
- This enables you to go long on Solana with 3x leverage
- So, for every 1% that Solana increases, you’d make 3% gains
- Conversely, you’d lose 3% for every 1% that Solana declines
Although liquidation and margin calls aren’t possible, your trade can still go to zero. For instance, suppose Solana declines by 33.3%. That’s a decline of almost 100% when factoring in the 3x multiplier.
Is Trading Crypto with Leverage Safe? Potential Risks
In general, trading crypto with leverage is safe. At least in practical terms. However, several risks must be considered before proceeding.
For instance, leverage amplifies gains and losses. Liquidation can result in the entire margin collateral being lost. Counterparty risks linked to exchanges should also be considered. Not to mention the emotional stress of losing money.
Let’s explore the risks of crypto leverage trading in more detail.
1) Magnified Losses
Unsuccessful leverage trades will amplify losses.
- For example, consider a standard $1,000 trade without leverage. The trade declines by 20%, so your $1,000 is now worth just $800. This means you’ve lost $200.
- Now consider the same trade but with 2x leverage. Your $200 loss increases by 2, so that’s $400. Therefore, your $1,000 position is now worth just $600.
- If leverage was increased to 3x, the loss would stand at $600.
These amplified losses continue until you’re liquidated.
2) Margin Call Risk
The margin call occurs when you’re approaching liquidation. It’s essentially a final warning; you’ll either need to add more funds to your margin balance or risk being liquidated.
There is no obligation to meet a margin call. After all, adding more funds means you’re risking more money. If liquidation is inevitable, you’ll also lose the additional margin added.
3) Liquidation Risk
If the leveraged trade continues to decline in value, it will be liquidated. This means the exchange closes the trade. The exchange also keeps the margin collateral, meaning you’ve lost 100% of the stake.
4) Counterparty Risk
Investors should also consider counterparty risks when trading with leverage. This is because leverage is offered by exchanges, which are third-party platforms. As such, you need to trust that your trading balance is safe. You also need to trust that the leveraged markets offered are fair and legitimate.
- The risk here is that the exchange trades against you.
- Meaning – it liquidates a position fraudulently.
- For instance, the exchange might claim that there was a flash crash, which results in a sudden price capitulation.
- This means your trading order is liquidated on the way down, before the price miraculously recovers.
This is why choosing the right leveraged trading platform is so important. Stick with reputable providers like Margex, MEXC, and OKX.
5) Emotional Stress
Trading crypto with leverage can be emotionally stressful. Crypto prices are volatile without leverage, so rapid price movements will be enhanced. For example, consider a crypto token that declines by 10%. With 5x leverage, your losses have been amplified to 50%.
In addition, being liquidated can result in significant losses. This can lead to psychological risks, such as depression and anxiety. Ultimately, emotional investors will always lose money. You can reduce these risks by following best practices, such as bankroll management and deploying stop-loss orders.
Conclusion – The Best Leverage Trading Platform for Crypto
In summary, I’ve revealed the best platforms to trade crypto with leverage. Overall, Margex stands out, as it offers leverage of up to 100x, low trading commissions, and great trading tools.
Ensure you’ve considered the risks before proceeding. Leverage will amplify both profits and losses.
See also: 10 Best Automated Crypto Trading Platforms for 2024
FAQs
What is leverage trading in crypto?
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References
“Bitcoin Extends Downtrend, Falls 12% to $47,176.” Reuters, 4 Dec. 2021, www.reuters.com/technology/bitcoin-extends-downtrend-falls-121-47176-2021-12-04/.
“Basics of Buying on Margin: What’s Margin Trading?” Charles Schwab, www.schwab.com/learn/story/basics-buying-on-margin-whats-margin-trading.
“Flash Crashes.” CFA https://rpc.cfainstitute.org/en/policy/positions/flash-crashesFlash Crashes (cfainstitute.org)
“Bitcoin Shows Its Volatility Once Again, Tumbling Back to $67,000 in Overnight Decline.” CNBC, 15 Mar. 2024, www.cnbc.com/2024/03/15/bitcoin-shows-its-volatility-once-again-tumbling-back-to-67000-in-overnight-decline.html.
