What Is Position Margin? A Comprehensive Guide to Isolated and Cross Margin Modes

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Understanding Position Margin in Isolated Margin Mode

Isolated Margin Mode refers to a trading approach where the margin for a position is separated from the trader's account balance. If the position gets liquidated, the trader will only lose the position margin (excluding funding fees). In this mode:

Position Margin (Isolated) = Initial Margin + Liquidation Fee

Automatic Margin Top-Up in Isolated Margin Mode

When traders pay funding fees for their positions, these funding fees are deducted from the available balance at funding timestamps (0:00 UTC, 8:00 UTC, 16:00 UTC). If the available balance is insufficient, funding fees will be deducted from the position margin, bringing the liquidation price closer to the mark price and increasing liquidation risk.

To mitigate this risk, traders can:

Note: Margin top-up processes vary across contracts and scenarios. Below are key examples:

1. Inverse Contracts

Scenario A: Position margin decreases after funding fee deduction but remains positive.
Added funds go to the available balance but won't automatically top up the position margin.

Scenario B: Position margin >0 with unrealized P/L.
Added funds top up position margin until reaching the sum of initial margin + liquidation fee. Excess goes to available balance.

Example:
Trader A holds a BTCUSD position with 1 BTC initial margin. After -0.05 BTC funding fee deduction:

2. USDT Contracts

All added funds automatically top up position margin until reaching initial margin + liquidation fee threshold, with excess going to available balance.

Position Margin in Cross Margin Mode

Cross Margin Mode uses all available balance in the corresponding currency as position margin to prevent liquidation. Calculations differ due to unrealized losses:

1. One-Way Position Mode

With Unrealized Profit:
= Initial Margin + Liquidation Fee

With Unrealized Loss:
= Initial Margin + Liquidation Fee - Unrealized Loss

Example 1 - Unrealized Loss:

Example 2 - Unrealized Profit:
Position margin remains unchanged as profits aren't usable until position closes.

2. Full Lock Position

Requires equal long/short quantities. No liquidation occurs as profits offset losses:

Long Position Margin = (1.2 × Maintenance Margin % × Position Value) + Liquidation Fee - Net Unrealized Loss
Short Position Margin = (1.2 × Maintenance Margin % × Position Value) + Liquidation Fee

Example:

3. Partial Lock Position

Smaller Quantity Position Margin = (1.2 × Maintenance Margin % × Position Value) + Liquidation Fee

Larger Quantity Position Margin = (1.2 × Maintenance Margin % × Locked Position Value) + Liquidation Fee + Unlocked Initial Margin + Net Locked Unrealized Loss + Unlocked Unrealized Loss

Example Calculations show how margin requirements increase with larger positions and losses.

FAQ Section

Q: What's the main advantage of isolated margin?

A: It limits risk to the specific position's margin, protecting your overall account balance.

Q: How does cross margin handle extreme volatility?

A: It utilizes your entire available balance to prevent liquidation, but requires careful risk management.

Q: When should I use position locking?

A: Locking is strategic during high volatility to freeze specific profit/loss levels while maintaining exposure.

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Q: Why does my available balance decrease in cross margin?

A: Available balance covers unrealized losses - funds transfer to position margin to maintain the position.

Q: How are funding fees calculated?

A: Fees are determined by perpetual contract price differentials and are paid/received every 8 hours.

Key Takeaways:

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This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of position margin with:
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