Funding your Futures Account

Last updated: June 15, 2026

To trade on Kraken Derivatives US, you need to fund your futures account. This article explains how to move funds into and out of your futures account, how the system handles timing and withdrawals, and how margin and settlement may affect your available balance.

Once your account is verified for Kraken Derivatives US, you can transfer USD from your Kraken spot account to your futures account via your account dashboard.

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    Tap the Balance button in your futures account section.

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    Use the Transfer Funds modal to move USD from your spot account

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    Transfers are instantaneous and available 24/7

Note: You must first deposit into your spot account before you can fund your futures account. Direct deposits into the futures account are not supported.

Yes. Kraken Derivatives US utilizes instant settlement rails, making funding faster than traditional FCM deposit processes. You can transfer funds to and from your futures account at any time, even outside of normal trading hours. There may be a slight delay of a few seconds as funds move between accounts.

Note: Transfers made after 5:00 p.m. CT will be reported as part of the following day's trade date in your transaction history.

No. Only funds held in your futures account can be used to meet margin requirements or collateralize new futures trades. Your spot account balance is not eligible as collateral for Kraken Derivatives US.

If your futures account enters a debit or negative balance, Kraken Derivatives US will first contact you to request that you manually transfer funds from your spot account.

If no action is taken, Kraken Derivatives US reserves the right to transfer funds from your spot account in order to make your futures account whole.

You may transfer funds from your futures account back to your spot account at any time, but:

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    Only available funds (not tied up in open positions or margin) are eligible for withdrawal

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    Same-day trading activity may temporarily encumber funds until the following day

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    Settlement PnL and initial margin requirements from open positions from the prior day can impact how much is withdrawable

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    For perpetual futures positions, funding rate payments are aggregated and applied as a single cash adjustment at 3:00 pm CT daily, which may affect your withdrawable amount.

The platform automatically calculates your withdrawable amount and displays it in your account view. Numbers can appear negative, likely impacted by initial margin requirements from open positions. This does not mean you have a negative balance. This amount updates in real time based on your trading activity, open positions, and initial margin usage.

Futures and spot margin trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for everyone. You may lose all or more than the initial investment, exceeding the value of collateral deposited with the firm to open and maintain the position. You may be required to provide additional collateral on short notice or no notice, and you may remain responsible for any deficiency after liquidation and collateral application. Trading should be undertaken only with risk capital, funds that can be lost without jeopardizing one's financial security or lifestyle, and only by those who can afford such losses. While leverage can increase potential returns, it also significantly increases risk. Leverage available may vary by asset. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Availability of spot margin trading through Kraken Derivatives US is subject to certain limitations and eligibility criteria. View Risk Disclosure Statement.

U.S. Futures and spot margin trading is provided by NinjaTrader Clearing, LLC d/b/a Kraken Derivatives US, a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant and NFA Member (NFA ID: 0309379), with financing provided by Payward Accredited LLC. View Disclosures.

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