Spot Margin fees
There are four potential costs when trading Spot Margin. You'll always see the exact rates on the trade confirmation screen before opening a position.
The fees at a glance
Fee | Rate | When it applies |
Opening fee | 0.00% (currently) | When you open a position |
Borrowing fee | Asset-dependent | Every 4 hours while the position is open |
Closing fee | 0.25% | When you voluntarily close |
Liquidation fee | 2.00% | If your position is force-closed by the system |
Current per-asset borrowing rates and any changes to the above are published on the Fee Schedule.
Opening fee
A one-time fee calculated as a percentage of your position size. Currently set at 0.00%, but this may change in the future. The applicable rate is always shown on the confirmation screen before you open.
Borrowing fee
The cost of borrowing the crypto you're shorting. It accrues every 4 hours for as long as your position is open and is deducted from your collateral when the position closes.
The rate varies by asset and can change while your position is open. Even small rates add up over time:
Position duration | Cumulative cost at 0.05% per 4h |
1 day | ~0.30% |
1 week | ~2.1% |
1 month | ~9.0% |
⚠️ Long-held positions can erode your profit. A favourable price move over weeks can be partly or fully offset by borrowing costs. Factor this into your decision before opening.
Closing fee
A flat 0.25% of your position size, charged when you voluntarily close. There's no fee to open at the current opening rate of 0%.
Liquidation fee
If your position is force-closed by the system (see Liquidation), a 2.00% fee is applied on top of the standard closing fee. It compensates Coinmerce for the cost and risk of forced execution.
In addition to the liquidation fee, liquidation trades use a "liquidation spread". The price used to close the position may be less favourable than the price you'd get by closing voluntarily. Closing on your own terms is almost always cheaper than letting the system do it for you.
How fees affect your displayed P&L
Your Margin Account shows a live Profit & Loss after fees, so what you see is what you'd walk away with if you closed right now. Fees are accrued continuously and deducted at close.
Tips to manage fee impact
Close positions you no longer believe in. Neutral or stalled positions still cost borrowing fees every 4 hours.
Trade with a clear timeline. If your thesis takes weeks to play out, the fee drag may eat your profit.
Close voluntarily before liquidation triggers to avoid the liquidation fee and spread.