Glossary
What is Maintenance margin
The minimum margin the exchange requires you to hold under a position: when margin plus accumulated losses falls to that level, liquidation begins.
How it works
Example
A $10,000 position at 10× leverage, $1,000 margin, a 0.5% maintenance rate = $50. Liquidation comes when the loss reaches 1,000 − 50 = $950, a 9.5% move against you.
Common mistake
Expecting liquidation only after the whole margin is gone: the exchange closes earlier, at the maintenance level, and takes a fee on top.
Read next
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
- Where can I learn Maintenance margin step by step?
- In the Trading OS Academy: “Leverage is sizing, not greed”.
- What is Maintenance margin related to?
- Margin; Liquidation; Bankruptcy price; Leverage.
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