TL;DR
- 20x leverage is now available on BTC/USD margin for eligible traders on Kraken Pro.
- Liquidation price, margin ratio, and take-profit/stop-loss tools work exactly as they did before.
- This update applies to BTC/USD margin only. It doesn’t extend to other pairs or to futures.
- Availability depends on your market. Check the Kraken Pro app to confirm eligibility.
What’s changing
The maximum leverage on BTC/USD margin positions is now 20x for eligible traders in select markets. This is a change to the ceiling itself, not to how margin trading works on Kraken Pro.
The margin engine, the order flow, and the account you already use are unchanged. Leverage is the only variable that moved.
What’s not changing
Every risk control you use today stays exactly as it was. Liquidation price, margin ratio, and take-profit/stop-loss tooling all work the same way they did before this update, and margin fees haven’t changed either.
Full margin visibility remains available at every step of a position’s life. A higher ceiling gives you more room to size a position. It doesn’t change how that position is measured, managed, or charged.
More capital efficiency, not a bigger target
Higher leverage means the same BTC/USD position can be opened with less capital committed, or a larger position can be opened with the capital you’d already allocate. That’s the point: doing more with the same capital, not doing more by default.
The new ceiling is a tool, not a target. How much of it to use, if any, is still your call, and it should come down to your own risk tolerance and strategy rather than the fact that the ceiling is higher now.
A reminder on risk
Leverage increases both the upside and the downside of a position. A higher ceiling doesn’t change that math. It just changes how much room you have to work with.
If BTC/USD margin isn’t already part of your strategy, this update doesn’t change where we’d suggest starting. It’s built for traders who are already sizing BTC/USD margin positions and want more capital efficiency while doing it.
Availability
20x leverage on BTC/USD margin is rolling out to eligible traders in select markets. It isn’t available everywhere. A number of markets are excluded because of local regulatory requirements. If the new ceiling isn’t showing in your account, open the Kraken Pro app. Eligibility is surfaced there directly.
Getting started
The updated leverage range is live in the same BTC/USD margin flow you already use on Kraken Pro. There’s no new account type to set up and no new interface to learn. It’s the same margin engine, with a higher ceiling attached to it.
Trading on margin involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. You could lose more than your initial investment. Spot margin trading products are offered by Payward Trading Ltd, incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Product availability may vary by jurisdiction. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved before trading. Past performance is not indicative of future results.