The cryptocurrency derivatives market is evolving rapidly, with exchanges continuously refining their product offerings to improve clarity, consistency, and user experience. In line with this trend, BitMEX has announced strategic updates to its perpetual swap contracts for major digital assets including Cardano (ADA), Binance Coin (BNB), Dogecoin (DOGE), Polkadot (DOT), and Filecoin (FIL). These changes focus on standardizing contract naming conventions, introducing new USD-settled instruments, and prematurely settling existing USDT-based contracts to ensure long-term platform coherence.
This article explores the full scope of these updates, outlines key differences between old and new contracts, and provides essential guidance for traders navigating this transition.
Why Rename and Replace Perpetual Contracts?
Standardization of financial instruments is critical in mature trading environments. Prior to this update, BitMEX listed perpetual contracts using both USDT and USD denominations, creating potential confusion among traders—especially those managing multiple positions across different symbols.
To streamline operations and align with industry best practices, BitMEX is moving toward a unified USD-based naming convention. As part of this initiative:
- New contracts: ADAUSD, BNBUSD, DOGEUSD, and DOTUSD are now live.
- Legacy contracts: ADAUSDT, BNBUSDT, DOGEUSDT, DOTUSDT, and FILUSDT will be prematurely settled on October 13, 2021.
- All future dual-currency perpetuals will follow the
XXXUSDformat for consistency.
👉 Discover how leading platforms handle contract standardization to boost trading efficiency.
Key Details of the New Perpetual Contracts
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the newly listed perpetual swaps. These contracts are designed to offer improved pricing precision, higher liquidity caps, and competitive fee structures during the initial phase.
ADAUSD Perpetual Swap
- Bitcoin Multiplier: 0.0001 XBT
- Underlying Index: .BADA
- Maximum Leverage: 33.33x
- Initial Margin Requirement: 3.00%
- Maintenance Margin: 1.50%
- Fee Structure (Until Oct 13, 8 PM GMT+8): 0.00% taker, 0.00% maker
BNBUSD Perpetual Swap
- Bitcoin Multiplier: 0.000001 XBT
- Underlying Index: .BBNB
- Maximum Leverage: 50x
- Initial Margin Requirement: 2.00%
- Maintenance Margin: 1.00%
- Fee Structure (Until Oct 13, 8 PM GMT+8): 0.00% taker, 0.00% maker
DOGEUSD Perpetual Swap
- Bitcoin Multiplier: 0.001 XBT
- Underlying Index: .BDOGE
- Maximum Leverage: 50x
- Initial Margin Requirement: 2.00%
- Maintenance Margin: 1.00%
- Fee Structure (Until Oct 13, 8 PM GMT+8): 0.00% taker, 0.00% maker
DOTUSD Perpetual Swap
- Bitcoin Multiplier: 0.00001 XBT
- Underlying Index: .BDOT
- Maximum Leverage: 25x
- Initial Margin Requirement: 4.00%
- Maintenance Margin: 2.00%
- Fee Structure (Until Oct 13, 8 PM GMT+8): 0.00% taker, 0.00% maker
After October 13, 2021, at 8 PM GMT+8 (12:00 UTC), the standard fees will resume:
- Taker Fee: 0.05%
- Maker Rebate: -0.01%
Major Differences Between Old and New Contracts
Traders must understand the structural changes that differentiate the legacy USDT-based contracts from the new USD-denominated versions.
| Feature | ADAUSDT → ADAUSD | BNBUSDT → BNBUSD | DOGEUSDT → DOGEUSD | DOTUSDT → DOTUSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin Multiplier | 0.01 → 0.0001 | No change | No change | 0.0001 → 0.00001 |
| Minimum Price Increment | 0.00001 → 0.0001 | No change | No change | 0.0005 → 0.001 |
| Maximum Price Cap | 1,000 → 10,000 | No change | No change | 50,000 → 100,000 |
| Max Order Size | 50k → 500k | No change | No change | 500k → 1M |
| Pre-Oct 13 Fee Model | Taker: 0.05%, Maker: -0.01% → Taker: 0.00%, Maker: 0.00% |
🔍 Note: The most significant adjustments are seen in ADA and DOT contracts, where multiplier reductions allow for finer risk exposure control and better alignment with actual asset valuations.
These enhancements reflect BitMEX’s commitment to improving market depth and reducing slippage—especially important for high-volatility assets like DOGE and ADA.
Early Settlement of Legacy Contracts
On October 13, 2021 at 8 PM GMT+8 (12:00 UTC), the following perpetual swap contracts will be prematurely settled:
- ADAUSDT
- BNBUSDT
- DOGEUSDT
- DOTUSDT
- FILUSDT
Settlement will be executed based on the respective 30-minute index price, such as .BADAT30M for ADAUSDT, in accordance with BitMEX’s official Exchange Guide.
What Traders Need to Know:
- No funding payment will occur at the settlement timestamp.
- There are no additional fees charged during settlement.
- Open positions will be automatically closed at the final mark price.
- Users are strongly advised to manually close or roll over positions before the deadline to avoid execution risks.
👉 Learn how professional traders manage contract rollovers and avoid forced liquidations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why is BitMEX replacing USDT-settled contracts with USD ones?
A: This change aligns with global standards in crypto derivatives trading. USD-denominated contracts reduce ambiguity and enhance transparency by eliminating reliance on stablecoin-specific pricing dynamics.
Q: Will FIL have a new USD-based contract?
A: While FILUSDT is being settled early, there was no immediate announcement of a FILUSD replacement at the time of this update. Traders should monitor official channels for future listings.
Q: Are there any risks associated with automatic settlement?
A: Yes. If you hold an open position past the settlement time, it will be closed automatically at the index price, which may differ from the last traded price due to volatility or spread.
Q: Can I trade the new contracts before settlement?
A: Yes. ADAUSD, BNBUSD, DOGEUSD, and DOTUSD are already available on the BitMEX testnet and production environment ahead of the legacy contract shutdown.
Q: How do fee waivers benefit traders?
A: Zero taker and maker fees until October 13 encourage liquidity provision and reduce entry/exit costs—ideal for active traders and arbitrageurs.
Q: What happens to my unrealized P&L on the old contract?
A: All profits or losses will be calculated up to the moment of settlement and reflected in your account balance upon closure.
Strategic Implications for Crypto Traders
This transition isn’t just cosmetic—it signals a broader shift toward institutional-grade clarity in crypto trading infrastructure. By unifying under a single settlement currency (USD), BitMEX reduces operational complexity and supports more accurate risk modeling.
For traders, this means:
- Easier comparison across instruments
- Lower chance of misexecuting trades due to symbol confusion
- Improved liquidity distribution over time
Moreover, the temporary zero-fee model acts as an incentive for users to migrate early and engage with the new ecosystem.
👉 See how top-tier platforms optimize contract design for maximum trading performance.
Final Thoughts
The move to standardize perpetual swap contracts under a consistent XXXUSD naming structure marks a mature step forward for BitMEX and sets a precedent for other exchanges. With clearer symbols, refined multipliers, and enhanced trading parameters, traders gain better tools for managing exposure in volatile markets.
As always, staying informed about platform updates ensures smoother transitions and minimizes unexpected losses. Whether you're trading ADA, BNB, DOGE, DOT, or FIL, understanding these changes empowers smarter decision-making in the fast-moving world of digital asset derivatives.
Keywords: perpetual contracts, ADAUSD, BNBUSD, DOGEUSD, DOTUSD, contract settlement, cryptocurrency trading, USD-denominated swaps