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Funding Rate Explained: Who Pays Whom in Perpetual Futures

In short: The funding rate sets the periodic payment between traders in a perpetual futures contract: when positive, longs pay shorts; when negative, shorts pay longs. On Binance rounds usually occur every 8 hours and the fee goes to the other side, not the exchange.

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What is the funding rate?

The funding rate sets the periodic payments between traders holding perpetual futures positions; these payments are called funding fees. The rate is based on the price difference between the perpetual contract and the underlying spot price[1].

Who pays whom?

When the rate is positive (contract price above spot) long holders pay short holders; when it is negative (contract price below spot) short holders pay long holders[1]. According to Binance, the funding fee is not paid to the exchange but between traders[1].

How often is it paid?

According to Binance, funding rounds usually occur every 8 hours and the interval can be shorter in periods of high volatility[1]. Only positions open at the funding round are charged; with no position at that moment no fee applies. Holding a position overnight can mean several payments[1].

Cap and floor

According to Binance, a cap and floor limit the funding fee charged in a single round. For the current rate and funding times, check the exchange's own page[1].

Why it matters

Funding turns into a cost, or income, of holding a position: if the rate direction is against the position, the trader pays every round. The effect is small in short trades but can add up in positions held for a long time. The sign of the rate is not a direction indicator on its own.

Disclaimer

Funding rates change over time; check the exchange's own page for the current rate. This page is educational, not investment advice.

Frequently asked questions

Who pays when the funding rate is positive?
When the rate is positive, long holders pay short holders; when negative the reverse applies[1].
How often is funding paid?
According to Binance, rounds usually occur every 8 hours and can be shorter in high volatility. Only positions open at that moment are charged[1].
Does the exchange collect the funding fee?
No; Binance states that the funding fee is paid between traders, not to the exchange[1].

Related guides

Sources

  1. What Are Funding Fees in Binance Futures?. Binance Blog. Accessed: 2026-10-22.

Source links were compared with the page content before publication; principles: Editorial Principles