Best Inverse Perpetual Contract Exchanges (2024) (2024)

Best Inverse Crypto Perpetual Platforms

We evaluated over 15 exchanges to find the best platforms for inverse perpetual contracts, focusing on fees, liquidity, supported assets, crypto collateral types, security, and regulatory compliance. These contracts allow traders to profit from price drops, with profits and losses denominated in fiat but settled in cryptocurrency.

The table below provides an overview of key factors for our top 5 platforms, ranked in order of preference.

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1. Bybit

Bybit is our top pick for investors looking to trade inverse perpetual contracts due to its clean interface, exceptional liquidity, and strong security history. Currently available in over 180 countries, Bybit allows collateral such as BTC, ETH, SOL, and more. It supports over 44 million users and features a unified trading account, cross-margin trading, and the ability to trade using unrealized PnL.

Bybit's extensive offerings include over 1,400 spot trading options and 300+ inverse perpetual contracts, all settled in cryptocurrency without an expiration date. Competitive fees start at 0.01% for makers and 0.06% for takers. Analysts highlight Bybit's rise post-Binance market shifts, with daily trading volumes exceeding $60 billion.

• Fees: 0.01% maker fees and 0.06% taker fees with 30 day trading volume discounts.
• Assets: 1,400+ for spot trading, 300+ for inverse perpetual contracts.
• Deposits: Bank transfers, credit/debit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay.
• Leverage: Up to 100x for inverse perpetual contracts.

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2. Binance

Binance secures the second spot for trading inverse perpetual contracts, recognized for its vast selection and liquidity. Available in over 150 countries, Binance supports spot trading of more than 300 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and popular meme coins like DOGE and PEPE. Its liquidity makes it particularly appealing to institutional investors.

The platform provides over 384 derivatives trading pairs, including COIN-margined and USDT-margined futures contracts. It pioneered COIN-margined (also known as Inverse Perpetuals) back in 2020, allowing users to get access to leverage collateralized by crypto, offering an edge in bull markets. While its fees, 0.02% for makers and 0.06% for takers, are higher than some competitors, Binance’s broad offerings and liquidity deliver strong value.

• Fees: 0.02% maker and 0.06% taker fees with discounts depending on 30 day volume.
• Assets: Over 500 derivatives contracts, alongside 300+ spot trading options.
• Deposit Methods: Bank transfers, crypto deposits, credit/debit cards, WeChat Pay, and more.
• Leverage: Up to 25x for inverse perpetual contracts.

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3. MEXC

MEXC is the top choice for traders seeking the highest leverage on inverse perpetual contracts, also known on its platform as COIN-M contracts. Launched in 2018, MEXC has gained traction in over 170 countries by offering access to more than 800 altcoins. Its standout feature is the unrivaled leverage of up to 200x on over 200 crypto assets, making it the go-to platform for high-leverage strategies.

Though its liquidity doesn't match the largest exchanges, MEXC still facilitates daily transactions exceeding $15 billion, with competitive liquidity and tight spreads on major pairs. It offers a range of trading options, including spot, coin-margined futures, and staking, making it an attractive platform for diverse trading strategies.

• Fees: 0.02% maker and 0.06% taker fees.
• Assets: Over 200 derivatives contracts and 800 spot trading assets.
• Deposit Methods: USDT, BTC, USDC, and credit card payments.
• Leverage: Industry-leading 200x for coin-margined contracts, appealing to traders seeking high-risk, high-reward opportunities.

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4. Gate.io

Gate.io is perfect for traders who chase long-tail coins and love getting in early on new trends. With over 2,100 cryptocurrencies, it’s a top spot for altcoin hunters, especially those looking to trade them using inverse perpetual contracts. Gate.io is known for quickly listing the latest meme coins like PEPE, WIF, and NEIRO, making it a hub for traders seeking the newest assets.

Serving users in 200+ countries, it has a global reach but operates offshore in Seychelles, outside the usual regulatory zones. Though liquidity isn't as deep as on larger exchanges, Gate.io’s low fees at 0.015% for makers and 0.05% for takers, make it a strong choice for altcoin traders looking for leverage.

• Fees: 0.015% maker and 0.05% taker fees.
• Assets: Over 2,100 cryptocurrencies, including niche assets and memes coins.
• Deposit Methods: Bank transfers, crypto deposits, and card payments.
• Leverage: Up to 100x on BTC-margined futures contracts.

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5. OKX

OKX is the top choice for traders in Asia and the Middle East, with strong localized support from its bases in Hong Kong and Dubai. Its crypto-margined perpetual futures allow users to trade with leverage up to 100x, settling in cryptocurrencies like BTC. This feature appeals to traders looking for direct exposure to crypto assets without expiration dates, offering flexibility and deep liquidity.

OKX stands out for its cross-collateral trading, letting users leverage assets like BTC and ETH, and its competitive fees (0.045% maker, 0.05% taker with discounts). With over 300 assets and 100+ futures contracts, the platform serves many traders while maintaining regulatory credibility in key markets.

• Fees: 0.045% maker, 0.05% taker, with volume-based discounts.
• Assets: 300+ crypto assets and 100+ futures contracts.
• Deposit Methods: Bank transfers, crypto deposits, credit cards, debit cards, Google Pay, Apple Pay.
• Leverage: Up to 100x on crypto-margined perpetual futures.

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What are Inverse Perpetual Contracts?

Inverse perpetual contracts are crypto derivatives settled in the underlying cryptocurrency rather than fiat or stablecoins. While the contract's value is typically denominated in USD, profits and losses are calculated and realized in the crypto itself.

For example, in an ETH/USD inverse perpetual contract, traders use and settle in Ethereum. These contracts allow traders to go long or short without an expiration date, using leverage to amplify gains or losses. The profit or loss moves inversely with the price of the underlying crypto, meaning higher crypto prices result in smaller returns in the same crypto, and vice versa.

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Inverse Perpetual Crypto Trade Example

Let’s say ETH is trading at $2,500, and a trader takes a long position on an ETH/USD inverse perpetual contract by purchasing $25,000 worth of contracts, using 10 ETH as collateral (25,000 / 2,500 = 10 ETH).

If ETH rises to $3,000, the trader closes the position. Now, the same $25,000 worth of contracts is repurchased at the new price of $3,000, resulting in 8.33 ETH (25,000 / 3,000 = 8.33 ETH). The trader's profit is the difference in ETH: 10 ETH - 8.33 ETH = 1.67 ETH, realized directly in ETH.

This shows how inverse perpetual contracts allow traders to profit from crypto price movements while settling in the underlying cryptocurrency.

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COIN-Margined Contracts vs Inverse Perpetuals

COIN-margined contracts and inverse perpetuals are effectively the same financial product across different exchanges. Both are futures contracts where trades, collateral, and settlements are handled in cryptocurrency, like BTC or ETH, instead of fiat. This allows profits and losses to be calculated directly in the crypto being traded.

These contracts offer traders the benefit of leveraging their positions without needing to convert to fiat. Additionally, their lack of an expiration date provides flexibility, letting traders hold positions as long as they choose to manage market exposure more efficiently.

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Bottom Line

Inverse perpetual contracts allow traders to leverage crypto assets and settle directly in BTC or ETH, avoiding fiat conversions. These contracts, found on platforms like Bybit and Binance, offer flexibility with no expiration dates and allow long or short positions.

They’re ideal for those looking to maximize exposure and profits in volatile markets, with options for high leverage and altcoin trading.