Crypto futures contracts are a type of derivative that allows for leverage – borrowing from an exchange and using your assets as collateral.
Leveraged trading is an advanced style of trading that is considered high-risk as it can result in an amplified loss of funds. If the market moves against you and you haven't employed the appropriate risk management strategies, the exchange may liquidate your account collateral, leaving you with nothing.
Because of this risk, accessing regulated crypto futures products in Australia comes with strict eligibility requirements attached. If you're an experienced trader or wholesale investor with a strong understanding of risk management, position size and stop-loss utility, take a look at the crypto exchanges below.
We consider the following exchanges the best in Australia for futures trading as of 2025 because they are regulated and hold an Australian AFSL license.
Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of cryptocurrency or any specific
provider, service or offering. It is not a recommendation to trade.
Exchanges where you can trade crypto futures
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Our selection is limited to crypto futures platforms that have been granted an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL). These platforms require you to pass a wholesale investor test to trade derivatives, which is standard practice in Australia.
While you may be able to access crypto futures products on other platforms, you should be aware that there are additional risks associated with using a service that is not overseen by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Read our full methodology below.
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Should you use an unlicensed crypto futures exchange?
You've probably come across the option to trade derivatives on platforms that are not featured in our list of the best crypto futures exchanges in Australia.
The Australian financial services watchdog, ASIC, has urged Australians to be wary of investing in crypto-related financial products and services where the provider does not hold an AFS licence (AFSL) or an Australian Market Licence (AML).
So while you will likely still be able to access full-featured crypto futures trading on other platforms, doing so comes with increased risks such as the following:
Not be afforded the investor protections offered by licensed providers
Losing funds due to platform outages or unmoderated liquidations
Experience amplified losses due to excessive leverage
The following global crypto exchanges frequently figure in the list of top exchanges by derivatives trading volume.
Of these, just OKX holds an AFSL at the time of writing, and futures trading clients must be qualified as wholesale investors.
Leverage. You might prefer to trade on high leverage, depending on your trading style. Day traders often require more leverage and less collateral, while swing traders generally have looser stop losses and require little leverage. Before trading using leverage, calculate your position size, risk tolerance and collateral required. Remember that leverage increases your potential for losses as well as gains.
Range of trading pairs. In the crypto space, there is always an active market. If you want to follow what's moving for the day, your best chance is to choose a futures platform that offers many trading pairs to take advantage of it.
Trading volume. Trading volume is an important consideration when choosing a futures exchange. If you're trading substantial size, check the daily volume of your selected market and plan your trade accordingly. Always be mindful of low liquidity and its impact on slippage.
Fees. Futures trading fees can stack up quickly – especially if you're trading with size. Always try and choose an exchange that offers competitive fees. Some exchanges provide discounts for active trading or paying fees using a particular token. Funding rates should also be taken into account. Although rates are usually low, you may have to pay a small fee to keep your position open.
AUD deposits and withdrawals. AUSTRAC-registered exchanges allow you to deposit and withdraw Australian dollars for added convenience and reduced exposure to foreign exchange costs.
UX. User experience is a big part of choosing a futures platform. If you're spending a lot of time trading, you want to feel comfortable and know your way around all the features. A simple UI with a solid base of features is a good start.
Collateral. Most exchanges accept collateral in the form of stablecoins. However, if you'd prefer to hold a particular coin as collateral, it's worth looking for a platform that supports this.
Security. Security is a hot-button issue in crypto; unfortunately, hacks are frequent. When selecting a trading platform, it's best practice to look into its history for hacks or breaches of privacy as well as how crypto is stored and its insurance policies.
CEX or DEX. Some traders prefer centralised exchanges and the regulation and possible insurance that may come with them. In contrast, others prefer to honour the decentralised nature of blockchain and trade on decentralised exchanges (DEXs).
Mobile or desktop. If you're on the go a lot, it's worth looking into a futures exchange with a full-featured mobile app. This way, you can plan set-ups and execute trades confidently without rushing back to your computer.
Demo mode. Demo trading or trading simulators are a helpful way to start experimenting with leverage. You can test all the regular exchange functionality, practice set-ups and plan risk management without risking any assets.
Risks of trading crypto futures
Amplified losses. Trading on leverage means that you're susceptible to greater losses than typical spot trades. Always plan your trade and allow for a well-placed stop loss.
Over-leveraged positions. Calculating how much leverage is appropriate to use on trade is essential. Higher leverage does not always equate to higher profits. Always consider market volatility and price swings when calculating your position size. Indicators such as the Relative Volatility Index (RVI) can help determine the market's volatility at any given time.
Slippage and liquidity. Low-volume trading pairs often have low liquidity. If you're placing a market order with a substantial size, it will likely push the price away from the mean. Arbitrageurs and market-making bots will quickly capitalise on this and buy or sell accordingly, often leading to an instant offside position. Scale into positions or use limit orders when trading low-volume markets.
Liquidation. Liquidation occurs when your collateral balance falls below a maintenance margin. Remember to monitor your maintenance margin and add collateral or size down if needed. Most platforms will liquidate accounts incrementally if the position is not closed or collateral is not added. Depending on position size and leverage used, liquidations can happen quickly.
Trading style and time frames. Know your trading style before opening a trade and watch the charts within the appropriate time frame – a large move on a 1-minute chart will often look small on a 4-hour chart. Swing traders hold positions for longer periods and profit from more significant trends, while day traders and scalpers capitalise on short-time price swings. If you're holding long-term, it is recommended to use lower leverage.
Stop losses. Always calculate where to place a stop loss or close your position. Trading without a stop-loss can lead to liquidation and account closure.
Regulatory uncertainty. Before signing up for an Australian futures exchange, make sure it holds an AFSL or AML. If you need clarification on exchange regulatory policies, check the company website or contact the support team directly.
Methodology
We reviewed licensed cryptocurrency futures exchanges to identify the best derivatives trading platforms in the Australian market. When assessing each, we looked at the following:
Regulation and licensing. Does the platform hold an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) and registration with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC)?
Leverage supported. How much leverage does an exchange support, and how does it impact a trader's risk tolerance?
Range of cryptos. How many trading pairs are available, and how does this limit or improve a trader's experience?
Security and insurance. Has the exchange ever experienced a security breach? What insurance policies are in place?
User experience. What features does the exchange offer, and are they superior to competitors? Is the platform simple and beginner friendly or challenging to navigate?
Liquidity and trading volume. What impact will low liquidity have on filling orders? Is the average trading volume across markets sufficient to trade on leverage?
That being said, because there are only a couple of crypto futures trading exchanges in Australia that hold an AFSL, the only 2 that qualified were OKX and Kraken.
Bottom line
Crypto futures trading is a high-risk, high-reward style of investing that is only recommended for advanced traders.
Because of the amplified risk of losses and global regulatory uncertainty, ASIC recommends that Australians only use futures trading platforms that carry an AFSL or AML.
Before you start trading, make sure you understand all of the risks involved, have a robust risk management strategy in place and have done some demo trading first. A common derivatives entry point is a Bitcoin futures pair like BTC/USDT, which typically has higher liquidity and less volatility than some lower market cap trading pairs.
If you're not quite ready to trade futures, you can explore other trading platforms and spot exchanges in our round-up of the best cryptocurrency exchanges in Australia.
No. Coinbase does not support derivatives trading of any kind.
Kraken Futures is offered in some countries, but at the time of writing, it is unavailable to Australians.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrencies are speculative, complex and involve significant risks – they are highly
volatile and sensitive to secondary activity. Performance is unpredictable and past performance is no guarantee of
future performance. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before relying on this information.
You should also verify the nature of any product or service (including its legal status and relevant regulatory
requirements) and consult the relevant Regulators' websites before making any decision. Finder, or the author, may
have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.
Billy Endres was the cryptocurrency writer for Finder. He has a passion for Web3 and decentralisation technologies as well as cryptocurrencies. Billy’s background in software development helped open the door to the world of decentralised technologies, financial markets and technical writing. See full bio
Billy's expertise
Billy has written 16 Finder guides across topics including:
Web3 and decentralised technologies
Front-end development
Cryptocurrency futures trading and technical analysis
Kylie Purcell is an experienced investments analyst and finance journalist with over a decade of expertise in a wide range of financial products, including online trading platforms, robo-advisors, stocks, ETFs and cryptocurrencies. She is a sought-after commentator and regularly shares her insights on the AFR, Yahoo Finance, The Motley Fool, SBS and News.com.au. Kylie hosts the Investment Finder video series and actively contributes to the investment community as a judge and panellist. She holds a Master of Arts in International Journalism, a Graduate Diploma in Economics, and ASIC-recognised certifications in securities and managed investments. See full bio
Kylie's expertise
Kylie has written 149 Finder guides across topics including:
There’s much to gain and lose in the volatile cryptocurrency market. If you want to make the best decisions, then you need to understand how to do a technical analysis. This guide from finder will tell you everything you need to know.
Find out what exactly bitcoin futures trading is, where to get started and how to pick the right trading site.
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