

Perpetual futures contracts are among the most popular trading instruments in the cryptocurrency market. This article explains the concept, mechanics, benefits, and risks of perpetual futures contracts in detail.
Cryptocurrency derivatives are financial products whose value is based on underlying cryptocurrencies. These contracts enable traders to profit from price movements without owning the actual assets. Derivatives are commonly used for hedging risks and speculative trading.
Perpetual futures contracts—often called "perpetuals" or "perps"—are futures agreements with no expiration date. Unlike traditional futures, perpetual contracts do not have a maturity date. Traders can hold these positions indefinitely until they choose to close them, offering more flexible trading strategies.
Key features of perpetual futures contracts include:
Perpetual futures contracts offer these benefits:
Risks associated with perpetual futures contracts include:
Traders must understand these risks thoroughly and implement effective risk management strategies.
Perpetual futures contracts ("perps") are powerful tools in the crypto market, but proper use demands substantial knowledge and experience. Novice traders should carefully evaluate risks and build expertise gradually. When used appropriately, perps can help diversify portfolios and manage risk. However, it’s crucial to monitor market volatility and regularly review trading strategies. As of 2025, the cryptocurrency market continues to mature, and perpetual futures contracts are playing an increasingly vital role.
Futures have a fixed expiration date; perpetuals can be traded continuously with no set term. Both let traders profit from price movements, but perpetuals use a funding rate mechanism to keep prices in line with the underlying asset.
Perpetual futures allow traders to use leverage, profit in both bullish and bearish markets, and trade with less capital compared to spot trading.
Perps are perpetual futures contracts with no expiration date. Traders speculate on asset prices with daily settlement. Leverage is available, and both long and short positions can be taken.











