Portfolio Margin (PM) is an advanced account mode that enables traders to manage multiple positions—including spot, margin, perpetual swaps, futures, and options—within a single, unified account. This sophisticated approach utilizes a comprehensive risk model to calculate margin requirements by considering the net risk of the entire portfolio, rather than evaluating each position in isolation. The result is significantly reduced margin obligations and enhanced capital efficiency.
All assets within the account are converted into their USD equivalent value to calculate both the initial and maintenance margin requirements, providing a holistic view of account equity and risk.
How to Enable a Portfolio Margin Account
To be eligible for a Portfolio Margin account, users must meet two primary criteria:
- Hold a minimum net asset value of $10,000.
- Acknowledge and declare an understanding of the Portfolio Margin mode and its associated risks.
How Portfolio Margin Achieves Risk Offsetting
The OKX Portfolio Margin system operates using two distinct modes to calculate risk and margin.
1. Derivatives Mode
In this mode, all derivatives are grouped into risk units based on their underlying asset (e.g., BTC-USD, BTC-USDT, ETH-USD, ETH-USDT). Perpetual swaps, futures, and options sharing the same underlying asset are considered together within their respective risk unit. Margin is calculated per risk unit, allowing for risk offsets between correlated positions.
Note: Coin-margined and USDT-margined contracts are treated as separate risk units. For example, the BTC-USD risk unit includes all contracts using BTC as collateral (BTC-USD perpetuals, futures, and options), while the BTC-USDT risk unit includes all contracts using USDT as collateral (BTC-USDT perpetuals and futures).
2. Spot Hedge Mode
This advanced mode incorporates a user's spot holdings into the chosen risk unit calculation. If the spot positions act as a hedge against the derivatives within that unit, the overall margin requirement is reduced.
Users can manually select which type of risk unit to integrate their spot holdings with:
- Spot Hedge - USDT Mode: Spot assets are incorporated into USDT-margined risk units.
- Spot Hedge - USDC Mode: Spot assets are incorporated into USDC-margined risk units.
- Spot Hedge - Coin Mode: Spot assets are incorporated into coin-margined risk units.
The following table illustrates how assets are grouped under each mode:
| Mode | ETH-USDT Risk Unit | ETH-USD Risk Unit | ETH-USDC Risk Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derivatives Only | ETHUSDT Perp/Futures | ETHUSD Perp/Futures/Options | ETHUSDC Perp/Futures |
| Spot Hedge - USDT | ETHUSDT Perp/Futures, ETH Spot, ETH/USDT & ETH/USDC Orders | ETHUSD Perp/Futures/Options | ETHUSDC Perp/Futures |
| Spot Hedge - USDC | ETHUSDT Perp/Futures | ETHUSD Perp/Futures | ETHUSDC Perp/Futures, ETH Spot, ETH/USDT & ETH/USDC Orders |
| Spot Hedge - Coin | ETHUSDT Perp/Futures | ETHUSD Perp/Futures/Options, ETH Spot, ETH/USDT & ETH/USDC Orders | ETHUSDC Perp/Futures |
The default setting for new Portfolio Margin users is Spot Hedge - USDT Mode. To change this, users must adjust their preferences in the account settings page. The amount of spot being used for hedging can be monitored in the 【Position】 and 【Assets】 sections on the trading interface under 【Spot Hedge Usage】.
How is Portfolio Margin Calculated?
The maintenance margin requirement (MMR) is calculated by simulating the maximum potential loss of the entire portfolio under specific, adverse market conditions. All positions—including perpetuals, futures, options, and spot holdings in hedge mode—are grouped by their underlying risk unit. The MMR for each unit is calculated, and their USD values are summed to form the total Portfolio MMR. The initial margin requirement (IMR) is then derived from this MMR.
Spot Hedge Usage Calculation
In Spot Hedge mode, the quantity of spot assets incorporated into a risk unit is determined by the net delta of the derivatives within that unit.
Within each risk unit:
- If Spot > 0 & Derivatives Delta < 0, Spot Hedge Usage = min( |Spot|, |Delta of Spot Orders & Derivatives|, User-defined Hedge Quantity)
- If Spot/Borrowed Coin < 0 & Derivatives Delta > 0, Spot Hedge (Borrow) Usage = -min( |Spot|, |Delta of Spot Orders & Derivatives|, User-defined Hedge Quantity)
- Otherwise, Spot in Use = 0.
Portfolio Margin Calculation Formula
Portfolio Margin consists of derivatives margin and coin borrow margin. The total Portfolio Maintenance Margin Requirement is the sum of the derivatives MMR across all risk units plus the borrow MMR.
- Derivatives MMR1 = max( Positive Delta Derivatives MMR, Negative Delta Derivatives MMR, Total Derivatives MMR )
- Derivatives MMR2 = max( Positive Delta Derivatives MMR (incl. spot orders), Negative Delta Derivatives MMR (incl. spot orders), Total Derivatives MMR (incl. spot orders) )
- Derivatives MMR = min( Derivatives MMR1, Derivatives MMR2 )
- Total MMR = Derivatives MMR + Borrow MMR
- Total IMR = 1.3 * Derivatives MMR + Borrow IMR
The derivatives MMR is the maximum value derived from seven risk scenarios (MR1-MR7), which simulate various market stresses, including price moves, volatility changes, and liquidation costs.
A. Derivatives MMR (MR1-MR7)
The margin for derivatives is calculated by evaluating the maximum loss under six risk scenarios plus liquidation costs.
- MR1: Price and Volatility Change Risk (for all derivatives and spot in hedge mode)
- MR2: Time Decay Risk (Theta) (for options only)
- MR3: Volatility Term Structure Risk (for options only)
- MR4: Basis Risk (for all derivatives and spot in hedge mode)
- MR5: Interest Rate Risk (for options only)
- MR6: Extreme Move Risk (for all derivatives and spot in hedge mode)
- MR7: Liquidation Cost (for all derivatives)
The final Derivatives MMR is: max{ [max(MR1, MR2, MR6) + MR4 + MR3 + MR5], MR7 }
B. MR8: Borrow Maintenance/Initial Margin
Borrow margin is calculated based on the amount of coins borrowed, following the latest borrowing rules and tiered margin rates. Initial Borrow Margin = 1 / Leverage Multiplier for that coin.
C. Portfolio Margin Ratio Calculation
- Total Required Margin (USD Value): The sum of the USD value of the MMR/IMR required for each risk unit.
- Portfolio Equity (USD Value): The total equity of the account, with each asset discounted according to its liquidity.
- Portfolio Margin Ratio: This is calculated as (Portfolio Equity USD Value) / (Required Margin USD Value).
👉 Explore advanced margin calculation tools
How to Check Your Portfolio Margin?
Users can utilize the Portfolio Margin Calculator to test margin requirements for both existing positions and simulated portfolios.
- The calculator allows you to model new positions and see the projected IMR and MMR. You can also combine existing positions with simulated ones to see the net effect on margin.
- By hovering over the displayed MMR, the system will reveal the risk exposure breakdown for each simulated scenario.
How Does Forced Liquidation Work?
A margin call warning is typically issued when the margin ratio falls below a threshold like 300%. In Portfolio Margin mode, forced liquidation is triggered when the margin ratio reaches 100%.
Due to the potential for lower liquidity in options, the liquidation process may involve creating new futures positions to delta-hedge the portfolio and reduce overall risk exposure before closing positions.
The liquidation process is sequential and executes the following steps until the account is back to a safe status (margin ratio > 110%) or all positions are liquidated:
- Dynamic Delta Hedging (DDH): The system uses delta-hedging principles by adjusting perpetual or futures holdings to reduce the overall portfolio risk, typically focusing on the scenario with the highest risk (MR1 or MR6).
- Basis Risk Hedging: This step aims to reduce basis risk by liquidating a set of positions that act as a cross-hedge within the risk unit with the highest basis risk exposure.
- Standard Liquidation Process: This final step involves liquidating standard positions in a manner that most efficiently reduces the account's maintenance margin. Liquidation occurs in tiers based on configured system parameters and available liquidity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main advantage of a Portfolio Margin account?
The primary advantage is significantly increased capital efficiency. By netting off correlated risks across different position types (spot, futures, options), the margin requirement for the entire portfolio is often much lower than the sum of the margins required for each position individually.
Who is eligible for a Portfolio Margin account?
Eligibility typically requires a minimum account equity, such as $10,000, and an acknowledgement of the understanding of the complex risks involved in this advanced trading mode.
Can I use spot holdings to reduce my margin requirement?
Yes, through the Spot Hedge mode. By selecting the appropriate mode (USDT, USDC, or Coin), your spot holdings can be incorporated into a risk unit. If they offset the risk of your derivatives positions, your overall margin requirement will be lower.
What happens during a forced liquidation in Portfolio Margin?
The process is multi-stage. It begins with dynamic delta-hedging to neutralize risk, followed by basis risk reduction, and finally a standard liquidation of positions if necessary. This process is designed to manage the complex risk profile as efficiently as possible.
How often are margin requirements calculated?
Margin requirements are calculated in real-time based on the latest market prices and the composition of your portfolio. The margin ratio is constantly updated.
Where can I simulate my margin requirements before trading?
You can use the built-in Portfolio Margin Calculator to simulate various trading scenarios and see their impact on your initial and maintenance margin requirements before executing any trades. 👉 Get more strategies for managing your portfolio risk
Appendix: Detailed Margin Risk Calculations
MR1: Price & Volatility Risk
This involves stress-testing the portfolio against 21 scenarios (7 price moves x 3 volatility moves). The maximum loss from these scenarios is MR1.
MR2: Time Decay Risk (Theta)
This measures the loss in option portfolio value over 24 hours, assuming spot price and implied volatility remain unchanged.
MR3: Volatility Term Structure Risk
This measures the risk from differing implied volatility changes across options with different expiries on the same underlying, a risk not fully captured by MR1.
MR4: Basis Risk
This measures the risk from differing price movements between futures contracts with different expiration dates. It stress-tests changes in the forward curve or basis.
MR5: Interest Rate Risk
This measures the sensitivity of the options portfolio (using pricing models like Black-Scholes) to parallel shifts and changes in the slope of the interest rate curve.
MR6: Extreme Move Risk
This is similar to MR1 but uses much larger hypothetical price moves (e.g., ±24% for BTC/ETH) to simulate extreme market events, with no change in volatility.
MR7: Liquidation Cost
This covers the estimated cost of closing positions, including taker fees and market slippage. The unadjusted cost is then multiplied by a size multiplier based on tiers to reflect the market impact of liquidating larger positions.