Futures Trading

Mark Price for USDT-Margined Futures

Last updated: 2025/10/22

Mark Price and Its Calculation

To reduce unnecessary forced liquidations during abnormal market volatility and to improve the overall stability of the futures market, KuCoin Futures uses the Mark Price — instead of the latest transaction price — to calculate users’ unrealized profit and loss (unrealized PnL) and liquidation price.

Mark Price Calculation Formula

In perpetual contracts, the Mark Price is calculated as follows:

Mark Price = Median (Price 1, Price 2, Contract Price)

  • Price 1 = Index Price × [1 + Latest Funding Rate × (Time Until Next Funding / Funding Interval)]

    • Funding Interval refers to the duration (in hours) between two consecutive funding settlements.

    • Time Until Next Funding is the remaining time (in hours) before the next funding fee is charged.

  • Price 2 = Index Price + Basis Moving Average

    • Basis Moving Average = Moving Average [(Contract Mid Price – Index Price)]

    • Contract Mid Price = (Best Ask Price + Best Bid Price) / 2

  • Contract Price = Latest Transaction Price

Benefits of the Mark Price Mechanism

The median-based Mark Price mechanism provides a more accurate and stable reference during periods of sharp volatility.

  • It integrates the index price, basis average, and contract trading price to better reflect the fair value of the market.

  • The median mechanism filters out abnormal short-term spikes or deviations, effectively reducing unnecessary forced liquidations.

  • This approach improves price fairness, trading stability, and the accuracy of margin and liquidation calculations.

 

KuCoin Futures Guide:

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Thank you for your support!

KuCoin Futures Team

 

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