New futures contracts on BitMEX are generally listed approximately two weeks before the existing front-month contracts are set to expire. The exact listing dates and contract details are announced on the BitMEX blog. Traders should monitor announcements to prepare for contract roll-overs.
This lead time gives traders sufficient opportunity to review the new contract specifications, plan roll-over strategies, and begin building positions before the existing contracts settle.
Where to Find Listing Announcements
- BitMEX Blog: All new contract listings are announced with full specifications, including the underlying index, expiry date, leverage, and margin requirements.
- BitMEX Contract List: The Contract List page displays all currently active contracts, including newly listed futures.
- Social channels: Announcements are also shared on Twitter/X and Telegram.
Traders who rely on futures positions for hedging or basis trading strategies should check these sources regularly to avoid missing new listings.
How Should Traders Prepare for a New Futures Contract Listing?
When a new futures contract is listed, traders holding positions in the expiring contract need to decide whether to:
- Close the position before the current contract settles and re-open it on the new contract.
- Allow settlement on the expiring contract and open a fresh position on the new listing.
- Execute a roll-over by simultaneously closing the old position and opening the new one to maintain continuous exposure.
Roll-over timing matters. Liquidity on an expiring contract typically decreases as the settlement date approaches, while the new contract may initially have wider spreads until volume builds. Planning the roll-over during periods of higher liquidity reduces slippage and execution costs.
The basis (the difference between the futures price and the spot price) may differ between the expiring and the newly listed contract. Traders should factor in the basis when calculating roll-over costs.