Futures Contract Margin

Margin

Futures contract margin represents the equity held in an account as collateral for open positions, functioning as a good faith deposit to mitigate counterparty risk within cryptocurrency, options, and broader derivatives markets. This deposit isn’t the full value of the contract, but a percentage determined by the exchange, reflecting a risk-based assessment of potential market movements and volatility. Initial margin establishes the position, while maintenance margin dictates the minimum equity required to sustain it, triggering margin calls if breached, and ultimately potential liquidation to cover losses.