Futures Trading: It’s a Whole Different Story When You Start with the Right Knowledge (feat. Bybit) – Bybit sign-up guide 2026
Bitcoin has been unusually volatile lately, hasn’t it? When the price goes up, you probably think, “I should have bought more,” and when it goes down, you wonder, “Is there anything I can do even in this bear market?”
The days of simply buying assets and waiting for them to rise in value are over.
There’s a way to make a profit even in a bear market and aim for big returns with a small initial investment: “futures trading.”
Today, I’ve put together a summary of Bybit—the exchange I actually use—and the things you absolutely need to know before starting futures trading.
This article was written based on the Bybit Sign-Up Guide 2026. This guide will help improve your trading experience.
[Click the sign-up link for a lifetime 20% discount on Bybit fees]
https://partner.bybit.com/b/159692
What Is Futures Trading? (Strategies for Both Bull and Bear Markets)
On a spot exchange, if the price rises by 10%, my profit is exactly 10%. In contrast, futures trading is structured so that you can generate larger gains or losses from the same price movement by using leverage.
● Bull Market – Maximize Profits with Long (Leveraged) Positions
On spot exchanges like Upbit or Bithumb, if the price rises by 10%, your profit is also 10%. However, if you use leverage (up to 100x), even with the same 10% price increase, your profit could be 100% or 200%. When you identify a sure-fire entry point, using the “long” feature in futures trading allows you to aim for returns that exceed the limits of your initial capital.
● Bear Market – Profiting from Short Positions
Have you ever heard of a strategy where you make money when prices fall? By using the “short” feature in futures trading, you can come out ahead even during a market crash—while others are losing money. It is also essential as a “hedging” tool to protect your assets during a market downturn.
| Category | Long (Buy) | Short (Sell) |
|---|---|---|
| Key Concepts | Betting on a price increase | Betting on a price decrease |
| Profit Conditions | Profit is realized if the price rises above the entry price | Profit is realized if the price falls below the entry price |
| Use Cases | When an uptrend is anticipated | To respond to a bear market or hedge existing assets |
In the photo above, a 15.0X long position on ZBT coin against Tether (USDT)—meaning a 15-fold bet that the price would rise—resulted in a return of +279.42%.
✅ How did this rate of return come about?
Actual price increase : The price rose by approximately 18.6% from the entry price (0.10248) to the exit price (0.12157).
Application of Leverage: Since 15x leverage was used here, the return was approximately $18.6% × 15 = 279%.
⚠️ However, the important thing to note here is that leverage amplifies not only profits but also losses by the same multiple.
For example, if you use 10x leverage, even a 10% price movement against you could result in the liquidation (forced stop-out) of your entire principal. The phrase “big returns with a small seed capital” can also be interpreted as “total loss from even a small price fluctuation.” In fact, various domestic and international studies have shown that a significant number of users of high-leverage futures trading incur losses over the long term, so we recommend using only a portion of your seed capital and always setting a stop-loss limit.
Why I Use Bybit
When choosing an exchange, the most important factors are its ranking and security. I primarily use Bybit, which has consistently held the number two spot among the global top five exchanges. Why do I use Bybit instead of Binance, the number one exchange?
From the perspective of an active trader, I compared exchanges based on their rankings, fees, and security.
| Comparison Criteria | Binance | Bybit |
|---|---|---|
| Global Ranking | No. 1 by trading volume | Top tier by trading volume (2nd–3rd place) |
| Fee Discounts | Mainly limited-time benefits for new sign-ups | Long-term discounts offered when signing up via a partner link |
| Leverage Limit | Restrictions apply to new users | Can be set up to 100x (Actual usage is a separate matter) |
| Security History | History of multiple past hacking incidents | One hacking incident occurred in February 2025. |
The difference in fees is particularly significant. Even with just 10x leverage, the transaction volume increases significantly, so if you don’t receive a fee discount, you’ll end up paying hundreds of thousands of won to the exchange in a single day. Bybit is much more advantageous in the long run because it offers a lifetime discount.
What’s the maximum fee discount I can get??
💡 The maximum fee discount you can receive by using a Bybit referral code is 20%. This 20% discount applies to all types of trading available on Bybit, including spot trading, futures trading, and options trading. You might occasionally see posts online claiming, “You can get discounts of up to 30% or 40%!” but from what I’ve found, most of those claims aren’t true. Officially, 20% is the maximum discount rate.
📌 That’s why it’s important to use a trusted official referral code that grants a 20% fee discount when signing up for Bybit. For example, if you sign up using a referral code, the limit order fee for futures trading on a standard account drops from 0.02% to 0.016%, and the market order fee drops from 0.055% to 0.044%. These small differences add up to significant savings, so this is a benefit you definitely don’t want to miss out on.
Important Information for Registration
📍 If you sign up using my affiliate link below, you can receive a discount on fees.
✅ https://partner.bybit.com/b/159692
✔️When signing up for the app, please enter [159692] in the invitation code field.
✔️ We will provide detailed instructions on KYC (identity verification), deposit and withdrawal methods, and more, along with screenshots.
Signing Up for Bybit: Here’s How to Get Started!
Alright, let’s take a closer look at the Bitbit sign-up process step by step.
First, click the sign-up link, and the sign-up page will appear immediately.
There, you’ll need to enter your email address and password.
Be sure to check that [“159692”] is automatically entered in the referral code field.
If it’s empty, just enter it manually.
Your password must be between 8 and 30 characters and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers, so please keep that in mind when creating it.
Once you’ve entered everything, click the “Get My Welcome Gifts” button to proceed to the next step.
Next is the puzzle.
Simply drag and drop the puzzle piece shown on the screen into the empty space to complete it.
After that, you’ll move on to the email verification step.
A verification code will be sent to the email address you provided during registration.
Just check your inbox for the verification code and enter it exactly as shown in the field on the screen.
That completes the basic Bybit registration process.
What do you think? Signing up for Bybit is really easier than you’d expect, isn’t it?
Don’t miss out on Know Your Customer (KYC) verification!
Just because you’ve completed registration doesn’t mean the process is over.
To use all of (BYBIT)’s features without restrictions, identity verification—or KYC—is required.
KYC verification is a process to confirm your identity and is also very important for enhancing security.
To start the verification process, you’ll need to log in first.
Just enter your email and password, then click the “Login Now” button.
After logging in, you’ll see a screen asking if you want to create a Passkey.
This feature lets you log in easily using facial recognition or your fingerprint, but you can do this later, so just click “Maybe Later.”
Next comes the actual identity verification process.
You’ll see a “Verify Now” button on the screen; click it to begin verification.
KYC verification usually takes about 2–5 minutes, so please wait a moment.
First, you need to select your country of residence.
Make sure the “Country Name” is set, then click the “Confirm” button.
Next, you’ll select the type of ID.
Choose the ID you have on hand from the following options: driver’s license, resident registration card, or passport.
Once you’ve selected your ID, you’ll need to scan it.
Please follow the on-screen instructions to clearly scan both the front and back of your ID.
It’s important to take clear photos without any glare.
Once your ID scan is complete, the final step is facial verification.
A circular frame will appear on the screen; simply position your face within it and look directly at the camera.
Just stay still without moving, and the system will automatically complete the verification.
When all steps are finished, a screen will appear confirming that verification is complete, along with the message “Identity Verified.”
You can now freely use all of Bybit’s features! That’s it!!
Did you follow along with the Bybit sign-up guide and KYC verification process I shared today?
It might feel a bit complicated at first, but once you’ve gone through it once,
it becomes very convenient to use, so please take your time and follow along step by step.
[Click the sign-up link for a lifetime 20% discount on Bybit fees]
✅ https://partner.bybit.com/b/159692
☑️Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Isn’t futures trading a form of gambling? If you use excessive leverage or trade emotionally without a plan, it’s no different from gambling. However, if you strictly adhere to risk management principles (such as setting stop-loss orders and adjusting position sizes), you can use it as an investment or hedging tool that differs from spot trading.
Q. How do I file my taxes? Cryptocurrency transactions on overseas exchanges by residents of Korea may also be subject to taxation. Since the specific reporting procedures vary depending on individual circumstances, we recommend consulting with a tax professional.
Q. Does it have to be Bybit? No. Other major exchanges, such as Binance and OKX, also have their own pros and cons. I’m simply sharing my personal experience of using Bybit as my primary exchange because of its fee benefits and ease of use, so please compare the options and choose the exchange that’s right for you.
☑️Conclusion
While futures trading can be a tool that creates opportunities in both bull and bear markets when used wisely, please keep in mind that the higher the leverage, the greater the risk of liquidation. Rather than using excessive leverage, we recommend that you start by gaining experience with small amounts within a loss range you can afford.
Please note that the final decision and responsibility for any investment rest with you, and this article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute an investment recommendation.