Contract Expiration Dates in Futures

{{Infobox Futures Concept

|name=[[Contract Expiration]] Dates in Futures |cluster=Basics |market= |margin= |settlement= |key_risk= |see_also= }}

Definition

Contract expiration dates are a defining characteristic of traditional futures contracts, differentiating them significantly from perpetual contracts or spot trading. This topic is a component of the broader subject covered in Introduction to Cryptocurrency Futures. A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a specific asset (like Bitcoin) at a predetermined price on a specified date in the future. The specified date is the expiration date.

Unlike spot trading, where assets are exchanged immediately at the current market price, or perpetual contracts, which have no set end date, fixed-date futures contracts are designed to mature and settle on their expiration date.

Why it matters

The expiration date is crucial for traders because it determines the lifespan of the contract and influences pricing dynamics.

Pricing Differences

The price of a fixed-date futures contract (sometimes called a "delivery contract") is often slightly different from the current spot price. This difference is known as the basis. As the expiration date approaches, the futures price generally converges with the spot price. This convergence is driven by arbitrage opportunities and the certainty that the contract must settle at the spot price on the expiration day.

Contract Lifecycle

Understanding the expiration date allows traders to manage their positions effectively. Traders must either close their position before expiration or allow the contract to settle. Settlement procedures vary depending on the exchange and the contract type (cash-settled or physically-settled).

How it works

[[Cryptocurrency exchanges]] offer various types of futures contracts. The presence or absence of an expiration date defines the contract type:

Expiry Contracts (Fixed-Date Futures)

These contracts have a specific maturity date. For example, a "BTC Quarterly Futures" contract might expire on the last Friday of March, June, September, or December. When the contract expires, the exchange performs a final settlement.

Perpetual Contracts (Perpetuals)

Perpetual futures are the most common form of crypto futures trading. They are designed to mimic traditional futures but without an expiration date. To keep the perpetual price aligned with the underlying spot price, these contracts use a mechanism called the funding rate. This rate is periodically paid between long and short position holders.

Settlement

When a fixed-date contract expires, settlement occurs:

Cash Settlement: The most common method for crypto futures. No actual cryptocurrency changes hands. The contract is settled based on the difference between the contract price and the final settlement index price calculated by the exchange at the expiration time.

Physical Settlement: Less common in crypto, this would require the delivery of the underlying asset (e.g., actual BTC) from the seller to the buyer.

Practical examples

Consider an exchange offering a quarterly contract: BTC/USD Quarterly Futures expiring in June 2025.

A trader buys this contract in February 2025, believing BTC price will rise significantly by June.

If the trader holds the contract until the June expiration date, the position will be closed automatically based on the final settlement price determined by the exchange.
If the trader wishes to avoid settlement or capture profits/losses earlier, they must actively sell their long position on the exchange before the contract ceases trading prior to the official expiration time.

If a trader is using perpetual contracts, they do not need to worry about a specific expiration date, but they must monitor the funding rate, as continuous long or short exposure incurs periodic fees based on this rate.

Common mistakes

Forgetting the Expiration Date: Traders focusing only on perpetual contracts may be surprised when a quarterly contract they hold expires, potentially forcing them into an unwanted settlement or requiring them to manually close the position under time pressure.
Ignoring Convergence: Assuming the futures price will remain significantly detached from the spot price as expiration nears can lead to missed opportunities or unexpected price action near the settlement time.
Confusing Settlement Types: Assuming all contracts are cash-settled when they might be physically settled (though rare for major crypto contracts) can lead to unexpected asset movements in the trader's wallet or exchange account.

Safety and Risk Notes

Futures trading, regardless of expiration date, involves significant risk, including the potential for rapid loss of capital due to leverage. Fixed-date contracts introduce the additional risk associated with contract maturity. Traders must be aware of the exact settlement time and mechanism of the specific contract they trade. Improper management of expiring positions can lead to unintended exposure or liquidation events if margin requirements are not met immediately prior to settlement. Understanding risk management is essential.

References

Sponsor	Link	Notes
Paybis (crypto exchanger)	Paybis (crypto exchanger)	Cards or bank transfer.
Binance	Binance	Spot and futures.
Bybit	Bybit	Futures tools.
BingX	BingX	Derivatives exchange.
Bitget	Bitget	Derivatives exchange.