Kraken Launches Bitcoin Cash and Ripple Margin Trading

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Kraken, one of the leading cryptocurrency exchanges, has officially expanded its margin trading offerings to include Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Ripple (XRP). This strategic enhancement brings the total number of supported margin assets to eight, reinforcing Kraken’s position as a go-to platform for advanced traders seeking leverage and flexibility in volatile crypto markets.

The newly added pairs provide users with multiple leverage options across major fiat and crypto denominations, enabling both short-term speculation and hedging strategies. With this update, Kraken continues to meet growing demand for sophisticated trading tools while maintaining a strong focus on risk management and user education.

👉 Discover how margin trading can amplify your market opportunities today.

Expanded Margin Trading Pairs and Leverage Options

Kraken now supports margin trading for BCH and XRP against key base currencies, offering tiered leverage based on market liquidity and risk profiles.

Bitcoin Cash (BCH) Margin Pairs

Ripple (XRP) Margin Pairs

These leverage levels allow traders to increase exposure without fully committing capital, making it easier to capitalize on price movements in both bullish and bearish conditions.

Account Verification Tiers and Borrow Limits

Your ability to borrow BCH or XRP for margin trading depends on your account verification level. Higher tiers unlock significantly larger borrowing capacity, encouraging users to complete identity verification for full access.

Bitcoin Cash (BCH) Borrow Limits

Ripple (XRP) Borrow Limits

This tiered structure helps maintain platform security while scaling access based on user trust and compliance history.

Transparent Fee Structure for Margin Trading

Kraken maintains a clear and competitive fee model for margin positions:

These low fees make holding leveraged positions cost-effective over time, especially when compared to alternative platforms with higher rollover costs. Traders should factor these into their strategy, particularly for longer-term positions where compounding fees may impact net returns.

Available on Both Classic and New Trading Platforms

Yes — margin trading for BCH and XRP is available on both:

The new trading platform offers an enhanced user experience with integrated charting tools, real-time data visualization, and responsive design that supports mobile trading. Simply visit the site from your smartphone and tap “Trading” in the bottom-right corner to begin.

👉 Experience seamless crypto trading with powerful built-in analytics tools.

Important: BCH and XRP Are Not Collateral Currencies

A critical detail for active margin traders: Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Ripple (XRP) cannot be used as collateral. This means you cannot pledge your BCH or XRP holdings to secure borrowed funds for opening leveraged positions.

Why This Matters

If you hold margin positions denominated in other assets (e.g., BTC or ETH), selling those into BCH or XRP will reduce your available equity. Since XRP and BCH don’t count toward collateral value, such trades can inadvertently lower your margin ratio and trigger a liquidation if equity falls below required thresholds.

To avoid unexpected closures:

For a complete list of accepted collateral currencies, refer to Kraken’s official support documentation.

Benefits of Margin Trading in Crypto Markets

Margin trading enables experienced investors to amplify potential gains by borrowing capital to increase position size. When used wisely, it can enhance portfolio performance during strong trends.

Key Advantages Include:

However, increased reward comes with increased risk — which brings us to an essential consideration.

Risks and Risk Management in Margin Trading

While margin trading offers significant upside potential, it also exposes traders to amplified losses. If the market moves against a leveraged position, losses are proportionally larger than in spot trading.

Critical Risk Concepts

Because of this, it's crucial to understand:

Kraken provides comprehensive educational resources covering these topics in detail, helping users build responsible trading habits.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use BCH or XRP as collateral for margin trades?
A: No. Bitcoin Cash and Ripple are not accepted as collateral currencies on Kraken. You must hold approved assets like BTC, ETH, or USDT to back margin positions.

Q: What happens if my margin position gets liquidated?
A: If your equity falls below the liquidation threshold, Kraken will automatically close your position to limit further losses. This protects the borrowed funds but may result in a significant realized loss.

Q: Is there a minimum trade size for BCH or XRP margin trading?
A: While no explicit minimum is stated, practical trading requires enough capital to cover fees and meet maintenance margin requirements based on leverage used.

Q: Are there different fees for opening vs. closing margin positions?
A: Kraken charges a 0.02% fee only when opening a margin position. Closing fees follow standard trading fee schedules based on your taker/maker status.

Q: Can I trade BCH and XRP margin on mobile devices?
A: Yes — the new Kraken trading platform at trade.kraken.com is fully mobile-compatible. Access it via any browser on iOS or Android.

Q: How often is the rollover fee charged?
A: The rollover fee of 0.02% is applied every four hours for as long as the position remains open.

Final Thoughts: Use Leverage Wisely

The introduction of BCH and XRP margin trading reflects growing interest in mid-cap digital assets and advanced financial instruments within the crypto ecosystem. However, leverage is not suitable for all investors — it demands discipline, market awareness, and robust risk controls.

Before diving in:

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