This guide covers the basic process of opening a futures account, preparing funds, opening a position, and checking your position.
Futures trading carries significant risk. Before you begin, understand the basics of margin, leverage, and liquidation, and make sure you can bear potential losses.
Web: Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Go to the futures trading page
Log in to the AstralX website and select Futures from the navigation bar. Choose the contract you want to trade, such as BTC/USDT Perpetual.
If an Open Futures Account window appears on your first visit, click Open Now. By clicking this button, you confirm that you have read and agreed to the risk disclosure shown on the page.
Step 2: Transfer funds to your futures account
In the order panel on the right, click the transfer icon next to Available Balance to open the Asset Transfer window.
Set Spot Account as the account to transfer from and USDT-M Perpetual as the account to transfer to. Select USDT, enter the amount, verify the transfer direction, currency, and amount, then click Confirm Transfer. Return to the order panel and check whether your available balance has been updated.
Step 3: Set the margin mode and leverage
In the order panel, click the margin mode displayed as Cross or Isolated. The window shows the current contract, such as BTCUSDT Perpetual, and the two available modes. Select a mode and click Confirm.
To change the margin mode for multiple contracts at once, click Margin Mode in this window to open Margin Mode Preferences. Search for or select the contracts, then choose Cross or Isolated at the bottom. You do not need batch preferences for your first trade on a single contract.
Next, click the leverage value in the order panel. In the Adjust Leverage window, check whether you are adjusting the Long or Short side. Use the plus and minus buttons or slider to select leverage, review the maximum position size shown, and click Confirm.
Higher leverage increases the effect of price movements on your position margin and raises liquidation risk. Choose leverage according to your risk tolerance. The 100× setting in the screenshot is an example, not a recommendation for beginners.
Step 4: Choose an order type and open a position
Verify the contract, trade direction, margin mode, leverage, and order quantity. Click Open Long or Open Short. Review the order price, quantity, and estimated order margin in Order Details. If everything is correct, click Confirm to submit the order.
Step 5: Confirm execution and manage your position
Check the order status after submission. A successfully submitted order has not necessarily been filled; a limit order may still be pending or only partially filled. Once filled, check the position size, entry price, unrealized P&L, and liquidation information in the Positions section.
To exit, choose a closing method and quantity for the position, review the details, and submit the closing order. After it is filled, check the actual execution and P&L records.
App: Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Go to the futures trading page
Tap Futures at the bottom of the app to open USDT-M Perpetual. Tap the contract name at the top, select the contract you want to trade, and verify its name and quote currency.
If an Open Futures Account window appears on your first visit, tap Open Now. By tapping this button, you confirm that you have read and agreed to the risk disclosure shown on the page.
Step 2: Transfer funds to your futures account
Find the available balance on the futures page and tap the transfer icon next to it. Select a transfer from your Spot Account to your USDT-M Perpetual Account, and verify that the currency is USDT. Enter the amount, check the direction and amount, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the transfer.
Return to the futures page and confirm that your available balance has been updated. If your futures account already has sufficient available assets, you do not need another transfer.
Step 3: Choose margin mode
Tap Cross or Isolated beneath the contract name to open Margin Mode:
- Cross: Available balance is included in the overall margin calculation, so risks across relevant positions may affect one another.
- Isolated: Margin is allocated to a position, and its risk is calculated separately.
Choose a mode in the window. This change applies only to the current contract. To change multiple contracts, tap Mode Preferences, select the contracts under Preferences, then tap Modify and follow the prompts. Batch settings are not needed for your first trade on a single contract.
Step 4: Adjust leverage
Tap the leverage value beside the margin mode, such as 20× / 20×, to open Adjust Leverage. Select Long or Short, set leverage with the plus and minus buttons or slider, verify your selection, and tap Confirm.
The page shows the maximum position size at your current leverage. The 20× setting in the screenshot is only an example, not a recommendation for beginners. Higher leverage generally increases the effect of price movements on margins and raises liquidation risk.
Step 5: Choose an order type and enter order details
Make sure Open is selected, then tap the displayed order type. The app screenshot shows these options:
- Market Order: Attempts to fill at available market prices without a price specified by you. The actual execution price may vary.
- Limit Order: You specify the order price. The order may remain pending, fill partially, or not fill.
- Trigger Order: Submits an order when your trigger conditions are met. Triggering does not guarantee execution.
Enter the order value using the unit shown in the field. The screenshot shows Value in USDT; if you switch input units, follow the label currently displayed. Check the Available to Open and Margin information, and make sure your futures account has sufficient available assets.
Step 6: Review and submit the opening order
Recheck the contract, long or short direction, margin mode, leverage, order type, price, and order value. Tap Open Long or Open Short, then complete the confirmation shown in the app.
Submitting an order does not mean it has been filled. Continue checking its status, especially for limit and trigger orders.
FAQ
Q1: Is KYC verification required to open a futures account?
No. KYC verification is not required to open a futures account, but it is required to apply to become a lead trader.
Q2: Do I need to make another deposit after opening a futures account?
Futures and spot account funds are managed separately. If your funds are in your spot account, transfer the amount needed to your futures account. If your futures account already has sufficient available assets, no additional transfer is needed.
Q3: Why can’t I see a position after placing an order?
Check your order status first. The order may be pending or only partially filled. Only the filled portion creates a position.
Q4: How can I reduce liquidation risk?
Monitor your position size, leverage, margin, and market volatility, and check the risk information on the Positions page. A stop-loss order can help manage risk, but it does not guarantee execution at the expected price during sharp market moves.