
We will increase the risk step on our XBTUSD Swap, ETHUSD Swap, and ADAU21, EOSU21, TRXU21 and XRPU21 Futures as detailed below, effective31 August 2021 at 06:00 UTC.
The XBTUSD Swap Risk Step will increase from 100 to 150 XBT
The ETHUSD Swap Risk Step will increase from 75 to 100 XBT
The ADAU21, EOSU21, TRXU21 and XRPU21 Futures Risk Step will increase from 50 to 75 XBT
Here’s what it means for BitMEX users:
From31 August at 06:00 UTC, those who have positions in the above-mentioned contracts with position size greater than theBase Risk LimitandFirst Risk Stepwill be immediately eligible for lower margin requirements.
There will be no changes to any of our Base Initial Margin or Base Maintenance Margin rates as this update relates to the size of position to which those rates apply. Users with positions at theBase Risk LimitandFirst Risk Step will continue to have the same market-leading margin requirements as before.
The Finer Details
Further details on the changes being implemented on31 Augustcan be found below:
For all users:
XBTUSD Swap Risk Step will increase from 100 to 150 XBT.
ETHUSD Swap Risk Step will increase from 75 to 100 XBT.
ADAU21, EOSU21, TRXU21, and XRPU21 Risk Step will increase from 50 to 75 XBT.
Base Risk Limiton XBTUSD Swap, ETHUSD Swap, ADAU21, EOSU21, TRXU21, and XRPU21 Futures will be unaffected.
Existing orders and trades will be unaffected.
For users with positions greater than theBase Risk Limit and First Risk Step:
Users with positions size greater than theBase Risk LimitandFirst Risk Stepof the affected contracts will be eligible for lower margin requirements, as the change lowers the required Initial Margin and Maintenance Margin (but does not change any of our Initial Margin or Maintenance Margin rates).
Example:
Users withrisk limits set at 400 XBT for the XBTUSD Swap will see their risk limit automatically increased to 500 XBT. If you fall into this category but have positions at or below 350 XBT, you will be able to manually lower your risk limits back to 350 XBT to enjoy smaller margin requirements.
Theability to manually lower risk limits to enjoy smaller margin requirements will be available to users in higher risk limit tiers as well.
Thelower margin requirements described above only apply when the risk limit is lowered manually.
All of the risk limits on the BitMEX platform are determined by contract.For more details on the current risk limits on the affected contracts, please see here.
New Risk Limits (beginning31 Augustat 06:00 UTC)
XBTUSD Swap | ||||
Risk Step | Risk Limit (XBT) | Min IM | Max Leverage | MM |
0 | 200 | 1.00% | 100 | 0.35% |
1 | 350 | 1.35% | 74.07 | 0.70% |
2 | 500 | 1.70% | 58.82 | 1.05% |
3 | 650 | 2.05% | 48.78 | 1.40% |
4 | 800 | 2.40% | 41.67 | 1.75% |
ETHUSD Swap | ||||
Risk Step | Risk Limit (XBT) | Min IM | Max Leverage | MM |
0 | 75 | 1.00% | 100 | 0.50% |
1 | 175 | 1.50% | 66.67 | 1.00% |
2 | 275 | 2.00% | 50 | 1.50% |
3 | 375 | 2.50% | 40 | 2.00% |
4 | 475 | 3.00% | 33.33 | 2.50% |
ADAU21, EOSU21, TRXU21, XRPU21 Futures | ||||
Risk Step | Risk Limit (XBT) | Min IM | Max Leverage | MM |
0 | 50 | 5.00% | 20 | 2.50% |
1 | 125 | 7.50% | 13.33 | 5.00% |
2 | 200 | 10.00% | 10 | 7.50% |
3 | 275 | 12.50% | 8 | 10.00% |
4 | 350 | 15.00% | 6.67 | 12.50% |
Graphs showcasing the differences below:



We know that the more we listen to our traders, the better informed we’ll be to make changes like these that are beneficial for all.
If you have any questions or feedback about this change, please reach out to Support.
Happy trading!