Bybit is a global cryptocurrency exchange established in 2018. It is known for its wide selection of tradable assets and the ability to trade with leverage of up to 100x. This article provides a detailed explanation of Bybit's two main perpetual contract products: Inverse Perpetual and USDT Perpetual contracts. While both are perpetual futures contracts for crypto, they have distinct features that are important to understand. Read on to master the key differences and learn how to use each one effectively.
Understanding Bybit's Perpetual Contracts
Perpetual contracts are futures contracts with no expiration date. Bybit offers two types: Inverse Perpetual and USDT Perpetual contracts. The following table summarizes their key features:
| Feature | Inverse Perpetual | USDT Perpetual |
|---|---|---|
| Margin Asset | The base crypto (e.g., BTC for BTC/USD) | USDT |
| Max Leverage | Up to 100x (varies by pair) | Up to 100x (varies by pair) |
| Available Pairs | 4 major pairs (e.g., BTC/USD, ETH/USD) | 20+ pairs, including altcoins |
| Hedging (Both Long & Short) | Not Supported | Supported |
| Trading Fees | Maker: -0.025%, Taker: 0.075% | Maker: -0.025%, Taker: 0.075% |
| Funding Rate | Every 8 hours | Every 8 hours |
Margin Asset: Crypto vs. Stablecoin
The most fundamental difference lies in the margin currency.
Inverse Perpetual contracts are quoted and margined in the base cryptocurrency. For a BTC/USD contract, your margin and P&L are calculated in Bitcoin. This means your overall profit or loss is affected by both the trade's outcome and the value of Bitcoin itself.
USDT Perpetual contracts are quoted against and margined in USDT, a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar. Your margin, entry price, and P&L are all calculated in USDT. This isolates your trading performance from the volatility of the margin asset itself.
If you don't hold the required margin asset, you can purchase it directly on Bybit using a credit card. 👉 Explore secure trading options
Leverage: Up to 100x
Both contract types offer high leverage. Maximum leverage is 100x for BTC pairs (e.g., BTC/USD, BTC/USDT). For other pairs, the maximum leverage is lower, typically 50x or 25x, depending on the asset's liquidity and volatility. Always be aware of the leverage limits for your chosen trading pair, as it significantly impacts your potential risk and return.
Trading Fees: Maker vs. Taker
The fee structure is identical for both contract types. Bybit uses a maker-taker fee model:
Maker Fee: -0.025% (Rebate)
- You receive a rebate for adding liquidity to the order book.
Taker Fee: 0.075%
- You pay a fee for removing liquidity from the order book.
Placing limit orders (maker orders) is more cost-effective than placing market orders (taker orders).
Funding Rate Mechanism
A key feature of perpetual contracts is the funding rate, paid or received every 8 hours (at 00:00, 08:00, and 16:00 UTC). This mechanism ensures the contract's price converges with the spot market price.
If the funding rate is positive, traders with long positions pay those with short positions. If it's negative, shorts pay longs. The rate is determined by market demand and is applied to the value of your open position.
How to Trade Inverse and USDT Perpetuals on Bybit
Trading on Bybit is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide.
1. Deposit Margin Currency
First, you must deposit the required margin currency into your Bybit account wallet.
- For Inverse Perpetuals, deposit the base crypto (e.g., BTC for BTC/USD).
- For USDT Perpetuals, deposit USDT.
You can deposit crypto from an external wallet or buy it directly on Bybit using a credit card.
2. Navigate to the Trading Interface
Log in to your account and navigate to the "Derivatives" section. Select either "Inverse Perpetual" or "USDT Perpetual," then choose your desired trading pair (e.g., BTC/USD or BTC/USDT). This will open the trading interface, which includes a price chart, order book, and order entry panel.
3. Place Your Order
On the order entry panel, you will configure your trade:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Margin Mode | Cross Margin: All positions share margin balance. Isolated Margin: Margin is allocated to a single position. |
| Order Type | Limit Order: Set your desired price. Market Order: Execute immediately at the best available price. Conditional Order: Set a trigger price. |
| Leverage | Slide to select your desired leverage level. |
| Price/Quantity | Enter the price (for limit orders) and the amount you wish to buy or sell. |
Once configured, click "Buy/Long" or "Sell/Short" to open your position.
4. Key Difference in Order Execution
- Inverse Perpetuals: You cannot hold long and short positions in the same contract simultaneously. Placing an opposite order will automatically close your existing position.
- USDT Perpetuals: Hedging is supported. You can specify whether an order is to open a new position or close an existing one, allowing you to hold both long and short positions at the same time.
Choosing Between Inverse and USDT Perpetuals: A Strategic Guide
Your choice between these two contract types should depend on your trading strategy, risk tolerance, and goals.
When to Use Inverse Perpetuals
- Bullish on the Base Currency: If you are strongly bullish on Bitcoin and want amplified gains not just from the price movement but also from the value of your margin (BTC) increasing, Inverse contracts can offer higher potential returns.
- Trading in BTC Denomination: If you prefer to track your portfolio's value primarily in Bitcoin, these contracts keep everything in the same denomination.
When to Use USDT Perpetuals
- Risk Management and Stability: Since your margin is a stablecoin, its value doesn't fluctuate. This makes it easier to calculate your exact profits, losses, and risk exposure in USD terms, leading to more predictable risk management.
- Diverse Altcoin Trading: USDT Perpetuals offer access to a much wider range of trading pairs, including many popular altcoins. This is the only way to trade leveraged futures on many of these assets on Bybit.
- Advanced Hedging Strategies: The ability to hold both long and short positions simultaneously is crucial for complex hedging strategies. 👉 Learn advanced trading strategies
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main advantage of an Inverse Perpetual contract?
A: The main potential advantage is a compounded gain. If the price of Bitcoin rises and your BTC-denominated trade is profitable, the value of your profit (in BTC) also increases in USD terms.
Q: Why is the USDT Perpetual contract considered less risky?
A: The margin (USDT) is stable. Your trading performance is isolated from the volatility of the margin asset itself, making it easier to manage risk and calculate your P&L in a stable currency.
Q: Can I use the same USDT margin for different trades?
A: Yes. A single pool of USDT in your account can be used as margin for any USDT Perpetual contract, allowing for efficient use of capital across different trades.
Q: What happens if the funding rate is high?
A: A high positive funding rate means long positions pay a significant fee to short positions every 8 hours. This can eat into profits for long-term long holders and is a critical cost to factor into your strategy.
Q: Is leverage the same for all trading pairs?
A: No. Bybit assigns different maximum leverage levels based on the liquidity and volatility of each asset. Major pairs like BTC have higher maximum leverage (100x) than smaller altcoins (25x or 50x).
Q: Which contract type is better for beginners?
A: USDT Perpetuals are generally recommended for beginners due to simpler P&L calculation in a stablecoin, a wider range of educational resources focused on USDT-margined trades, and the ability to start with a more diverse portfolio.
Conclusion
Bybit's Inverse Perpetual and USDT Perpetual contracts are powerful tools for cryptocurrency traders. Your choice hinges on your margin preference: Inverse contracts use the underlying crypto (e.g., BTC), potentially amplifying gains and losses, while USDT contracts use a stablecoin for more straightforward risk management. By understanding their unique characteristics—available pairs, hedging capabilities, and how margin works—you can strategically select the right instrument for your trading style and maximize your effectiveness on the Bybit platform.