Basis Trading Explained: Spot vs. Futures Discrepancies

Introduction

Basis trading is a market-neutral strategy employed in the cryptocurrency space, and increasingly in traditional finance, that aims to profit from the price difference—the “basis”—between the spot price of an asset and its corresponding futures contract. While seemingly simple in concept, successful basis trading requires a deep understanding of futures mechanics, funding rates, arbitrage opportunities, and risk management. This article will provide a comprehensive explanation of basis trading, detailing the discrepancies between spot and futures markets, the techniques used to exploit them, and crucial considerations for beginners.

Understanding the Spot and Futures Markets

Before diving into basis trading, it’s essential to understand the characteristics of the spot and futures markets.

• Spot Market:* The spot market represents the current price of an asset for immediate delivery. When you buy Bitcoin on an exchange like Coinbase or Binance, you are participating in the spot market. The price you pay is the “spot price,” reflecting the asset's current value. Ownership is transferred immediately (or very shortly after settlement).

• Futures Market:* A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a specified future date. Unlike the spot market, you are not exchanging the asset immediately. Instead, you are trading a contract that represents the obligation to buy or sell the asset at a future time. Crypto futures are typically cash-settled, meaning the difference between the contract price and the spot price at expiry is paid in cash, rather than physical delivery of the underlying asset.

The Basis: The Core of the Trade

The “basis” is the difference between the futures price and the spot price. It’s typically expressed as a percentage of the spot price.

Basis = (Futures Price - Spot Price) / Spot Price

The basis can be positive (contango), negative (backwardation), or zero.

• Contango:* When the futures price is higher than the spot price, the market is said to be in contango. This is the most common scenario, particularly for cryptocurrencies. Contango arises because of factors like storage costs (though less relevant for crypto), insurance, and the opportunity cost of holding the asset. Traders are willing to pay a premium for future delivery to avoid these costs.

• Backwardation:* When the futures price is lower than the spot price, the market is in backwardation. This is less common in crypto but can occur during periods of high demand for immediate delivery, such as during significant geopolitical events or supply shocks.

• Zero Basis:* Rarely, the futures price and spot price can be equal. This typically happens very close to the expiry of the futures contract.

How Basis Trading Works

Basis traders attempt to profit from the convergence of the futures price and the spot price as the contract approaches its expiration date. The core strategy involves taking opposing positions in the spot and futures markets.

Long Basis Trade (Contango):

1. **Short the Futures Contract:** Sell a futures contract, betting that its price will decrease relative to the spot price. 2. **Long the Spot Asset:** Buy the underlying asset in the spot market. 3. **Profit:** As the futures contract approaches expiration, its price should converge towards the spot price. The trader profits from the difference between the initial futures price and the spot price at the time of convergence, minus any transaction fees and funding costs.

Short Basis Trade (Backwardation):

1. **Long the Futures Contract:** Buy a futures contract, betting that its price will increase relative to the spot price. 2. **Short the Spot Asset:** Sell the underlying asset in the spot market (often through borrowing or short selling). 3. **Profit:** As the futures contract approaches expiration, its price should converge towards the spot price. The trader profits from the difference between the initial futures price and the spot price at the time of convergence, minus any transaction fees and funding costs.

Funding Rates: A Key Consideration

In perpetual futures contracts (the most common type of crypto futures), there is no expiry date. Instead, a “funding rate” mechanism is used to keep the futures price anchored to the spot price.

• Funding Rate Mechanism:* The funding rate is a periodic payment (typically every 8 hours) exchanged between long and short positions. If the futures price is higher than the spot price (contango), longs pay shorts. If the futures price is lower than the spot price (backwardation), shorts pay longs. The magnitude of the funding rate is determined by the difference between the futures and spot prices.

• Impact on Basis Trading:* Funding rates directly impact the profitability of basis trades. In a contango market, a long basis trade will receive funding payments, which contribute to the overall profit. Conversely, in a backwardation market, a short basis trade will receive funding payments. However, it’s crucial to remember that funding rates can change dynamically, and negative funding rates can erode profits.

Risks Involved in Basis Trading

While basis trading can be profitable, it’s not without risk.

• Counterparty Risk:* Trading on exchanges carries the risk that the exchange could become insolvent or be hacked, leading to loss of funds.

• Liquidation Risk:* Futures trading involves leverage. If the price moves against your position, you could be liquidated, losing your entire margin. Understanding Margin (Futures) is crucial for managing this risk.

• Funding Rate Risk:* As mentioned earlier, funding rates can fluctuate, impacting profitability. Unexpected changes in funding rates can quickly erode profits or even lead to losses.

• Tracking Error:* The futures price may not converge perfectly with the spot price due to market inefficiencies or unforeseen events. This “tracking error” can reduce the profitability of the trade.

• Volatility Risk:* While basis trading is designed to be market-neutral, sudden spikes in volatility can still affect the trade. Large price swings can trigger liquidations or exacerbate tracking error.

• Regulatory Risk:* Changes in regulations surrounding cryptocurrency trading can impact the viability of basis trading strategies.

Advanced Considerations and Techniques

• Delta Neutrality:* Sophisticated basis traders often strive to maintain “delta neutrality.” Delta measures the sensitivity of an option or futures contract to changes in the underlying asset’s price. Delta-neutral strategies aim to minimize directional risk by hedging the position with other instruments.

• Gamma Scalping:* Gamma represents the rate of change of delta. Gamma scalping involves dynamically adjusting the position to maintain delta neutrality as the price fluctuates.

• Statistical Arbitrage:* Using statistical models to identify and exploit temporary mispricings between the spot and futures markets.

• Correlation Trading:* Basis trading can be combined with correlation trading, where traders exploit the relationships between different cryptocurrencies or assets.

• Using Technical Analysis:* While basis trading aims to be market-neutral, understanding market trends and potential price movements can help optimize entry and exit points. Familiarizing yourself with Technical Analysis in Crypto Trading can be beneficial.

Risk Management in Basis Trading

Effective risk management is paramount in basis trading.

• Position Sizing:* Never risk more than a small percentage of your capital on any single trade.

• Stop-Loss Orders:* Implement stop-loss orders to limit potential losses if the trade moves against you.

• Hedging:* Consider hedging your position with other instruments to mitigate risk.

• Monitoring Funding Rates:* Continuously monitor funding rates and adjust your strategy accordingly.

• Diversification:* Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your trading strategies and assets.

• Understanding Options:* While this article focuses on futures, understanding options can provide additional hedging and profit-taking opportunities. A good starting point is Risk Management in Options Trading.

Tools and Platforms for Basis Trading

Several cryptocurrency exchanges offer the necessary tools and liquidity for basis trading, including:

• Binance
• Bybit
• OKX
• Deribit

These platforms typically provide access to perpetual futures contracts, real-time price data, and charting tools. It's important to choose a reputable exchange with robust security measures and low trading fees.

Example Scenario: Long Basis Trade in Contango

Let's assume:

• Spot Price of Bitcoin: $60,000
• Futures Price of Bitcoin (1-month contract): $60,500
• Funding Rate: 0.01% every 8 hours (Longs pay Shorts)

A trader executes a long basis trade:

1. Buys 1 Bitcoin at $60,000. 2. Shorts 1 Bitcoin futures contract at $60,500.

As the futures contract approaches expiration, the price converges towards the spot price. Let's say the futures price drops to $60,100.

• Profit from Futures: $400 ($60,500 - $60,100)
• Funding Payments: The trader pays 0.01% of the short position's value every 8 hours. Over one month (approximately 120 hours), the total funding payments might be $36 (this is a simplified estimate).
• Net Profit: $400 - $36 = $364 (before trading fees).

This example illustrates how a long basis trade can profit from the convergence of the futures price and the spot price, while also factoring in the impact of funding rates.

Conclusion

Basis trading is a sophisticated strategy that can be profitable for experienced traders. However, it requires a thorough understanding of futures markets, funding rates, risk management, and market dynamics. Beginners should start with small positions, carefully manage their risk, and continuously educate themselves about the intricacies of this strategy. Remember that even the most well-designed trading strategy can result in losses, and there are no guarantees of profit.

Recommended Futures Trading Platforms

Platform	Futures Features	Register
Binance Futures	Leverage up to 125x, USDⓈ-M contracts	Register now
Bybit Futures	Perpetual inverse contracts	Start trading
BingX Futures	Copy trading	Join BingX
Bitget Futures	USDT-margined contracts	Open account
Weex	Cryptocurrency platform, leverage up to 400x	Weex

Join Our Community

Subscribe to @startfuturestrading for signals and analysis.