What Are Nano Bitcoin Futures? Everything to Know

Bitcoin’s price has made headlines for years — and so has its volatility. For everyday traders, getting exposure to bitcoin used to mean buying coins or using risky, unregulated crypto platforms. That’s changed. Today, futures contracts make it easier to trade bitcoin using smaller amounts of capital, and one product stands out for its accessibility: nano bitcoin futures.

These ultra-small contracts offer a regulated, low-cost way to trade bitcoin price movement without needing a crypto wallet or full coin ownership. Whether you’re looking to learn how bitcoin futures work or simply want a cost-effective way to speculate or hedge, nano contracts might fit your needs.

In this guide, we’ll break down what nano bitcoin futures are, how they work, how they compare to micro and full-size contracts, and how to get started.

Key Takeaways

• Nano bitcoin futures make trading bitcoin more accessible by offering a small contract size (1/100th of 1 BTC), which reduces cost and risk for new and retail traders.

• They are fully regulated and cash-settled through Coinbase Derivatives, allowing traders to participate in bitcoin markets without owning or storing actual bitcoin.

• Nano contracts help traders learn futures mechanics like margin, leverage, and price movement in a real-market environment with lower financial exposure.

• MetroTrade doesn’t offer nano bitcoin futures, but does support Micro Bitcoin Futures, which provide similar benefits at a slightly larger size (1/10th BTC).

What Are Nano Bitcoin Futures?

Nano bitcoin futures are small-sized futures contracts that allow traders to speculate on the price of bitcoin without buying or holding the actual cryptocurrency. These contracts are offered by Coinbase Derivatives, a regulated U.S. exchange, and are designed specifically for accessibility and risk management.

Each contract represents just 1/100th of a single bitcoin (0.01 BTC), making them one of the smallest bitcoin derivatives available in the regulated market.

Key features of nano bitcoin futures:

• Size: Each contract represents 0.01 BTC, which is about $1,050 worth of exposure when bitcoin trades at $105,000

• Settlement: The contracts are cash-settled, so no bitcoin is delivered. Traders receive gains or losses in USD.

• Ticker Symbol: Listed on Coinbase Derivatives under the symbol BIT.

• Leverage: Traders can post a small percentage of the full contract value as margin, amplifying both potential gains and losses.

• Directionality: You can go long (if you expect bitcoin to rise) or short (if you expect it to fall).

This structure makes nano bitcoin futures a useful tool for traders who want bitcoin exposure without the complexity or risk of holding cryptocurrency directly. They’re especially appealing for beginners, part-time traders, or those with smaller accounts.

Nano vs Micro vs Full-Size Bitcoin Futures

Bitcoin futures come in different sizes, each offering a different level of exposure, capital requirement, and risk. The three main contract types available are nano, micro, and standard bitcoin futures.

The primary difference is contract size, and that difference impacts everything from margin requirements to who the product is designed for. Smaller contracts like nano and micro are tailored for retail traders, while standard contracts are generally used by institutions or high-capital traders.

Nano Bitcoin Futures

• Size: 1/100th of a bitcoin (0.01 BTC)

• Margin Requirements: Very low — often under $100 per contract depending on broker settings

• Best For: Beginners, small accounts, learning how bitcoin futures work

• Ticker: BIT

• Typical Use: Low-cost speculation or education

Nano contracts are ideal for retail traders who want to get started with very small position sizes. They reduce financial exposure while allowing you to experience real futures trading.

Micro Bitcoin Futures

• Size: 1/10th of a bitcoin (0.10 BTC)

• Margin Requirements: Moderate — usually several hundred dollars per contract

• Best For: Active retail traders and those ready to scale

• Ticker: MBT (CME)

• Available on MetroTrade: ✅

Micro Bitcoin Futures offer more exposure than nano contracts but remain accessible to most retail traders. They strike a balance between control and capital efficiency, making them a popular choice for short-term trading or hedging.

Standard Bitcoin Futures

• Size: 5 bitcoin per contract

• Margin Requirements: Very high — typically tens of thousands of dollars

• Best For: Institutional traders and hedge funds

• Ticker: BTC (CME)

• Typical Use: High-volume, high-capital strategies

Standard contracts are designed for large-scale market participants. With a notional value exceeding $500,000 per contract (when bitcoin trades above $100K), they’re rarely used by retail traders due to the capital required.

Comparison Table

Choosing the right contract size depends on your account size, risk tolerance, and trading goals. For most retail traders, nano and micro contracts provide more flexibility and easier entry into the bitcoin futures market.

How Nano Bitcoin Futures Work

Nano bitcoin futures work just like any other futures contract, but on a much smaller scale. When you trade them, you’re entering a contract to buy or sell the value of 0.01 BTC at a future date, based on the market price.

These contracts are cash-settled, which means you don’t receive bitcoin. Instead, you make or lose money depending on how the price of bitcoin moves while you hold the position.

Core mechanics of nano bitcoin futures:

• Contract Size: Each contract represents 0.01 BTC, so you’re gaining exposure to a fraction of a bitcoin.

• Leverage and Margin: You only need to deposit a small portion of the contract’s notional value as margin, which gives you leverage. This increases both potential gains and losses.

• Long or Short Positions: You can take a long position if you expect bitcoin’s price to rise or go short if you expect it to fall.

• Tick Size and Value: The minimum price movement (tick) is $0.05, and each tick is worth $0.05 per contract.

• Settlement: These contracts settle in cash, so there is no delivery of Bitcoin.

Example Trade:

Assume bitcoin is trading at $105,000.

• You buy 1 nano contract at $105,000

• This gives you exposure to $1,050 worth of bitcoin (0.01 BTC)

• If bitcoin rises to $106,000, the contract is now worth $1,060 — a $10 gain

• If bitcoin drops to $104,000, the contract value falls to $1,040 — a $10 loss

Because of the small size and tight tick value, nano contracts give traders a low-risk way to get hands-on experience with bitcoin futures. They’re especially useful for testing strategies, practicing order execution, or learning how margin and leverage work in real time.

Benefits of Trading Nano Bitcoin Futures

Nano contracts offer several advantages, especially for newer traders or those with smaller accounts:

• Lower Capital Requirements: You can trade bitcoin with much less upfront margin.

• Reduced Risk Exposure: Smaller position sizes make it easier to control downside.

• No Crypto Wallet Needed: Trade bitcoin without handling private keys or exchanges.

• Regulated Market Access: Coinbase Derivatives is a CFTC-regulated exchange that specializes in crypto futures..

• Practice and Learn: Great for beginners testing strategies without high financial pressure.

Risks of Trading Nano Bitcoin Futures

While nano futures are beginner-friendly, they still come with real trading risks:

• Volatility: Bitcoin is known for rapid price swings, even in small contracts.

• Leverage: Gains and losses are amplified. Without risk controls, a small move can lead to outsized losses.

• Expiration Dates: Contracts eventually expire, requiring rollovers or closure.

• Complexity: Futures trading involves different mechanics than spot crypto, including margin calls, tick values, and contract expiration.
• False Confidence: Small contracts can give traders a false sense of safety, leading to overtrading or poor strategy execution.

Use Cases for Nano Bitcoin Futures

Nano bitcoin futures serve a variety of trading goals:

Speculating on Price Movement

You can go long if you believe bitcoin will rise, or short if you expect it to fall. The small contract size makes it easier to manage directional bets.

Hedging a Crypto Portfolio

If you already own bitcoin, you can use nano futures to hedge downside risk, especially during uncertain market conditions.

Learning Futures Mechanics

Nano contracts offer a real-money learning environment with less financial pressure. New traders can test strategies and understand margin, tick size, and P&L calculations.

Building Experience for Larger Trades

Over time, traders can scale from nano to micro contracts, building experience and confidence before using more capital.

Where to Trade Nano Bitcoin Futures

Nano bitcoin futures are offered by Coinbase Derivatives under the symbol BIT. To trade them, you need to open an account with a broker that supports Coinbase Derivatives products.

Not all brokers offer access to nano contracts, so be sure to check before signing up. Some brokers may only offer micro or standard bitcoin futures.

MetroTrade does not currently offer nano contracts, but we do support Micro Bitcoin Futures (MBT), an excellent alternative for retail traders.

Nano Bitcoin Futures Trading Hours

Nano bitcoin futures are available on Coinbase Derivatives, which operates nearly 24 hours per day during the trading week.

Trading Schedule (U.S. Central Time):

• Sunday to Friday: 5:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CT

• Daily Maintenance Break: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT

These hours give traders flexibility to engage with the market outside of regular U.S. stock market hours, making bitcoin futures ideal for evening or after-work trading.

Nano Bitcoin Futures Contract Specs

Here are the official specifications for the Coinbase Derivatives nano bitcoin futures contract:

• Contract Unit: 0.01 BTC

• Ticker Symbol: BIT

• Exchange: Coinbase Derivatives

• Pricing Unit: USD per bitcoin

• Minimum Tick Size: $0.05 per contract

• Settlement: Cash-settled, monthly

• Expiration: Monthly contracts

These specs ensure consistent pricing, transparency, and reliability across brokers.

View the official contract spec sheet

Tips for Trading Nano Bitcoin Futures

Here are a few best practices to help you trade nano contracts more effectively:

• Use a Trading Plan: Know your entry, exit, and stop-loss levels before placing a trade.

• Manage Position Size: Don’t over-leverage. Start small and increase as you gain confidence.

• Watch Your Margin: Understand your broker’s margin requirements to avoid unexpected liquidations.

• Use Stop Orders: Always protect your downside using stop-loss or trailing stop orders.
• Stay Informed: Bitcoin prices can react to macroeconomic news, crypto regulations, or sentiment shifts.

Why MetroTrade Is a Great Place to Start

MetroTrade does not currently offer nano bitcoin futures, but we do provide access to Micro Bitcoin Futures (MBT), a popular alternative listed on the CME that represents 1/10th of one bitcoin per contract.

With MetroTrade, you get:

• Access to CME-regulated crypto futures like Micro Bitcoin and Micro Ether
• A free 30-day demo account to practice real market conditions
• A powerful web and mobile trading platform built for speed and control
• Tight spreads, fast order execution, and beginner-friendly support

Whether you’re looking to build experience, control risk, or explore new markets, MetroTrade gives you the tools to trade bitcoin futures with confidence.

Start now by creating a free MetroTrade account and explore your crypto trading potential.

Conclusion

Nano bitcoin futures are one of the most accessible ways to trade bitcoin price movement using regulated futures. With a small contract size, low capital requirement, and regulated structure, these products are ideal for beginners, part-time traders, or anyone looking to trade smarter.

While MetroTrade doesn’t currently support nano contracts, Micro Bitcoin Futures are a strong alternative with just a slightly larger size. You can open a free demo account and start practicing futures strategies today.

FAQs about Nano Bitcoin Futures

The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered trading, investment, tax, or legal advice. Futures trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation. Always consult with a licensed financial professional before making any trading decisions. MetroTrade is not liable for any losses or damages arising from the use of this content.