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What Are Equity Perps?

  • Updated

Equity Perps are perpetual swap contracts on BitMEX that provide leveraged exposure to the price movements of global stocks and indices. Traders use crypto and stablecoins as collateral to trade perpetual contracts on equities such as Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, and ETF trackers for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq – with up to 20x leverage. Like crypto perps, Equity Perps never expire.

How Do Equity Perps Differ from Crypto Perpetual Swaps?

Equity Perps function identically to crypto perpetual swaps. The only difference is the underlying asset. Instead of tracking Bitcoin or Ethereum, Equity Perps track the price of traditional stocks and indices.

Traders gain exposure to the price movement of the underlying equity without owning the actual shares. Positions are cash-settled in USDT. There is no expiry date, so traders can hold positions indefinitely provided they maintain sufficient margin.

RDH Limited, Inc. lists perpetual swaps on ETF trackers for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, plus single named stocks including Tesla, Nvidia, and Apple. BitMEX offers up to 20x leverage on these contracts.

What assets can you trade with Equity Perps on BitMEX?

BitMEX Equity Perps cover major US equities and index ETF trackers. Available contracts include:

  • Single stocks: Tesla (TSLAUSDT), Apple (AAPLUSDT), Nvidia (NVDAUSDT), and other top US names
  • Index ETF trackers: S&P 500 (SPYUSDT), Nasdaq (QQQUSDT)

All contracts are denominated and settled in USDT. Traders use crypto as collateral, meaning there is no need to convert to fiat or open a traditional brokerage account.

The product range continues to expand. Check the Equity Perps page for the latest available contracts.

What are the key features of Equity Perps?

Equity Perps share the core features that made crypto perpetual swaps the dominant derivatives instrument:

  • No expiry: Hold positions for as long as needed. No rolling over quarterly contracts.
  • Up to 20x leverage: Amplify exposure to stock price movements.
  • Crypto collateral: Use BTC, ETH, USDT, and other supported assets. No fiat conversion required.
  • 24/7 trading: Trade continuously, even when US stock markets are closed.
  • Long and short: Profit from both rising and falling prices. No borrowing costs or inventory limits for shorting.
  • Cash-settled: All settlement occurs in USDT. Traders never take ownership of the underlying shares.

These features remove the barriers that traditionally prevent crypto-native traders from accessing equity markets.

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This website is operated by HDR Global Trading Limited, a company incorporated under the International Business Companies Act of 1994 of the Republic of Seychelles with a company number of 148707 and registered address at Global Gateway 8, Rue de la Perle, Providence Mahé, Seychelles (“HDR”). HDR wholly owns BitMEX, a Bitcoin-based trading platform.


Access to trading or holding positions on BitMEX is prohibited for any person or entity that is located, incorporated or otherwise established in, or a citizen or a resident of: (i) the United States of America, Québec (Canada), the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Seychelles, Bermuda, Cuba, Crimea and Sevastopol, Iran, Syria, North Korea or Sudan; (ii) any state, country or other jurisdiction that is embargoed by the United States of America; or (iii) any other jurisdiction where the services offered by BitMEX are restricted (collectively “Restricted Jurisdictions”). If it is determined that any BitMEX user has given false representations as to their location, incorporation, establishment, citizenship or residence, or HDR detects a user is from a Restricted Jurisdiction as described above, HDR reserves the right to immediately close their accounts and liquidate any open positions. HDR may, in its sole discretion, implement controls to restrict access to the BitMEX trading platform in any of the Restricted Jurisdictions.