Cryptocurrency trading offers two main options: spot trading and futures trading. Spot Trading is the immediate purchase or sale of cryptocurrencies at the current market price, giving traders direct ownership of the asset. Simply put, you buy or sell the actual cryptocurrency, which you can then store in a digital wallet.

Futures Trading, including perpetual futures (perps), involves contracts to buy or sell a cryptocurrency at a set price on a future date. These contracts often use leverage, meaning you can control larger amounts with less money. This can increase potential profits but also increase the risk of losses. Futures prices can differ from spot prices due to factors like interest rates and market expectations.

Advantages of Spot Trading

Spot trading is simple and ideal for beginners who may find futures trading complex. It offers direct ownership of cryptocurrencies, allowing immediate use for transactions, staking, and the ability to use decentralized applications. With no leverage involved, spot trading carries a lower risk, as traders can only lose what they invest, and will have the freedom to hold the cryptocurrency as long as they wish. 

Additionally, the immediate liquidity of spot markets provides quick access to funds, making it suitable for those needing fast access or wishing to avoid the volatility of positions with leverage.

Advantages of Futures Trading

Perpetual futures are ideal for experienced traders. They use leverage, allowing traders to control larger positions with less capital, which can maximize potential gains. Futures are great for hedging and speculation, letting investors protect spot holdings from downturns or bet on market movements without owning the asset (by shorting the asset). Perps also enable advanced strategies like arbitrage, which involves exploiting price differences between spot and futures markets or among different futures contracts to guarantee profits  The high liquidity and availability of leverage in futures markets make these strategies feasible and attractive for seasoned traders looking to maximize gains at higher risk of losing money.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this research paper is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice, investment guidance, or any solicitation to buy or sell financial instruments. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Kollectiv.