What Is the Purpose of a Futures Contract in Cryptocurrency Trading?
A futures contract is a legal agreement to buy or sell a specific cryptocurrency at a predetermined price on a specified future date. Its primary purpose is to allow investors to hedge against price volatility or to speculate on future price movements.
For example, a Bitcoin miner might sell futures contracts to lock in a price for their future production, protecting them from a potential price drop. Conversely, a trader might buy a futures contract if they believe the price of the cryptocurrency will rise, without needing to hold the actual asset.