Spot, Futures, Perps, Options – What’s the Difference? 🤔
These are all trading instruments, but they work differently. Each has its own risk, purpose, and mechanics. If you don’t know the difference, you’re flying blind 👇
🕯 Spot
You buy or sell the real asset at the current market price. No leverage, no expiration. It’s simple: you pay, you own it. Best for long-term holders or anyone who wants to avoid the complexity of derivatives. If you want to accumulate coins and hold them for years — buy spot.
🕯 Futures
You’re trading a contract to buy or sell an asset at a set price in the future. You don’t actually own the asset, you own the contract. Futures have an expiration date and are often used for hedging or speculation. They usually come with leverage, which also means liquidation risk.
🕯 Perpetual Futures
Similar to regular futures, but they never expire. They use a funding rate to keep prices close to spot. Perps are the most traded instrument in crypto for a reason: they offer leverage, flexibility, and non-stop action. This is also the instrument with the highest risk of losing your money.
🕯 Options
An options contract gives you the right, not the obligation, to buy or sell at a specific price within a set time. There are call options (betting on upside) and put options (betting on downside). Options allow more advanced strategies and are widely used for hedging or trading volatility. They are rarely used and usually only by experienced traders.
