Perpetual Funding Rates
Perpetual funding rates are periodic payments exchanged between long and short traders in perpetual swap contracts to ensure the contract price tracks the underlying asset index price. Because perpetual futures have no expiration date, the market mechanism relies on these payments to prevent significant divergence from spot market prices.
When the funding rate is positive, longs pay shorts, indicating that the market is bullish and the perpetual price is trading above the spot price. Conversely, a negative rate means shorts pay longs, signaling bearish sentiment.
These rates are a critical component of compounding for traders who hold positions over extended periods, as they can either enhance returns or erode capital significantly. Monitoring these rates provides insight into market sentiment and leverage imbalances.