Fortunly's Guide
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Best Crypto Futures Trading Platforms

Written By
G. Dautovic
Updated
February 06,2025
Some or all of the products/services listed on this page are from our affiliate partners from which we receive commissions. This, however, does not influence the evaluations in our reviews. Learn more by reading our Advertiser Disclosure.

Futures trading is a form of derivatives trading that has grown in popularity among cryptocurrency holders, and is now offered by a large number of the world’s most well-known exchanges.

Our guide will outline the leading platforms on the market today, and provide you with all the basic information you’ll need in order to start trading futures safely and efficiently.

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Best Crypto Futures Trading Platforms in February 2025

Logo
Launched In:
2017
Available Assets:
300+
Fees (Maker/Taker):
0.02% / 0.06%
Leverage:
Up to 100x
Logo
Launched In:
2011
Available Assets:
200+
Fees (Maker/Taker):
0.02% / 0.05%
Leverage:
Up to 50x
Logo
Launched In:
2018
Available Assets:
200+
Fees (Maker/Taker):
0.02% / 0.06%
Leverage:
Up to 125x
Logo
Launched In:
2012
Available Assets:
90+
Fees (Maker/Taker):
0.02% / 0.06%
Leverage:
Up to 100x
Logo
Launched In:
2017
Available Assets:
340+
Fees (Maker/Taker):
0.02% / 0.04%
Leverage:
Up to 125x
Quick Breakdown

Top 5 Crypto Futures Trading Exchanges - Our Picks for 2025

  • KuCoin - Best for altcoin traders

  • Kraken - Best for security and regulatory compliance

  • Bitget - Best for copy trading features

  • Bitfinex - Best for experienced traders

  • Binance - Best for trading volume

Things to Consider Before Trading

As futures trading is inherently a high-risk activity, it's essential to be aware of the potential pitfalls and things to be aware of before putting up your crypto funds on the line.

For starters, you have to consider your own personal risk tolerance.

Due to the high levels of volatility in crypto futures contracts, the use of leverage in trades and the complexity of perpetual funding rates, you should evaluate how comfortable you are with potential losses, and set strict loss limits to prevent emotional decision-making in times of market volatility.

Another crucial thing to consider is liquidity. As cryptocurrencies are one of the most volatile assets you can trade on, it is best to trade in markets with high liquidity, as low-liquidity markets can suffer from even sharper price gaps. 

Make sure to check the average daily trading volumes of the crypto pairs you plan to trade on and the exchange you plan to use, in order to mitigate these risks.

Speaking of exchanges, it is crucial to make sure that the exchange of your choice is secure and trustworthy. You should only trade on exchanges with high levels of customer protection, as well as those that follow regulatory guidelines and show a high level of transparency in terms of fees.

Finally, consider your broader trading plan and the implementation of some of the time-tested futures trading strategies.

Crypto futures trading demands a structured approach with clear entry and exit rules, as well as strict discipline around position sizing and leverage. Laying this groundwork before risking real capital will help protect your portfolio and boost your odds of long-term profitability.

Main Fees Associated With Crypto Futures Trading

While fees depend from one exchange to another, there are three main types of fees that you will encounter with most of them.

Maker-Taker Fees

Maker fees will apply when you place limit orders that add liquidity to the order book, often resulting in lower or even zero-cost trades. Taker fees are charged for orders that immediately match and “take” existing liquidity.

Maker fees usually range from 0.00% to 0.02%. Taker fees can range from 0.02% to 0.06% and apply to market orders or limit orders executed immediately.

Funding Rates (Perpetual Futures)

Unique to perpetual crypto futures contracts, funding rates are recurring payments exchanged between long and short positions. They help keep perpetual contract prices close to the underlying spot market.

When the contract trades above spot, longs pay shorts; if it’s below spot, shorts pay longs.

Liquidation (or Margin) Fees

In leveraged futures trading, each position must maintain a required margin level. If losses push the account below this threshold, the exchange may liquidate the position. Liquidation often incurs additional fees or “penalties” that cover associated risks or costs the platform faces when force-closing traders’ positions.