Margin type: CROSS and ISOLATED
The margin type decides which money backs a futures position: only the margin allocated to it (ISOLATED) or the whole account balance (CROSS).
What it is
| Type | How it works | What you risk |
|---|---|---|
| Isolated | Only the position's own margin is locked for it | At most the margin of that position |
| Cross | The position is supported by the whole free balance of the account | On a deep loss — the whole account, including the money of other bots |
| From channel | The type is taken from the signal; if the signal does not specify it — Isolated | Depends on the signal |
A new bot starts with Isolated. Important: the margin type is set for the whole exchange account and affects all trades, not only this bot.
Where it is in the bot
Signal bot card → Trading settings → Margin & leverage → Margin type. The screen says: “Here you can change the position margin type (set for the entire account, affecting all trades)”.
In the trade card the type is shown as “Isolated”, “Cross” or “From channel”. The 🕹️ Manual Trading wizard does not ask for the margin type — it is taken from here.
How to set it up
- Open Margin type and choose the option you need.
- Confirm: “Are you sure you want to change the margin type? (When switching from Cross to Isolated, the margin amount may be reduced, which could lead to liquidation)”.
Switching from Cross to Isolated while positions are open is dangerous for exactly this reason: a position that was held up by the whole balance is left with its own margin only.
Example with a calculation
The account holds 2,000 USDT. The trade: margin 100 USDT, leverage x10, position 1,000 USDT, entry 60,000.
- Isolated. The price moved 10 % against the position (54,000): a loss of 100 USDT ate the whole margin and the position was liquidated. About 1,900 USDT is left on the account, the other bots keep working.
- Cross. The same move: the exchange draws extra collateral from the free balance and the position survives. But if the fall continues, all 2,000 USDT are exposed — including the money that the Grid and DCA bots trade on the same account.
That is why Cross without a stop is the most dangerous combination, and the bot points it out separately.
Limits and allowed values
| Parameter | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Options | Isolated / Cross / From channel | Isolated by default |
| Scope | the whole exchange account | affects all trades, including manual ones |
| Grid and DCA bots | their own choice in the wizard | Grid profiles set the margin type themselves |
Common errors and what the bot says
- “⚠️ Warning: Cross margin without Stop-Loss. If the position goes deep into the negative, liquidation will affect the entire account (including balances of other bots). Recommended: either switch to Isolated, or set a Stop-Loss.” — enable a stop or go back to Isolated.
- “ℹ️ Couldn't set the margin mode "Cross" automatically. On Unified Trading (UTA) accounts the margin mode is set at the account level, not per symbol. The trade was opened using the account's current mode. To use the desired mode, set it in the exchange app: Account settings → Margin mode.” — the trade is open, but in whatever mode the account currently has; switch the mode you need manually on the exchange.
- “⛔️ Trade NOT opened: can't switch the margin mode to "Cross". There are already open positions or active orders on the account. Close positions and cancel orders (or switch the mode manually in the exchange app) and try again.” — close the positions, cancel the orders and repeat.