Here's how to enable margin mode, add collateral, place your first trade, and keep track of your risk on Bitso Alpha Web.
What you need to know
- Where: Bitso Alpha Web (desktop only for now)
- What's available: Cross-margin trading with automatic borrowing and repayment
- Key risk: If your Margin Level drops too low, your positions may be liquidated to repay debt
Steps to start trading
1. Turn on Margin mode
Open the Alpha order ticket and toggle from Spot to Margin. You'll see new indicators showing your leverage and Margin Level.
2. Add funds to your Margin wallet
Click Transfer on the ticket to move assets from Spot to Margin, this becomes your collateral. Once the transfer completes (it's instant), you're ready to trade.
3. Place your order
Set up your order just like you normally would (Market, Limit, or Stop). If your order size is bigger than your available balance, and within your risk and leverage limits, the system automatically borrows what you need and shows you the details, including interest information.
Example
Suppose you have transferred 2,000 USDT into your Margin Wallet as collateral. You’re a retail user (3× cap).
• Your Trading Power on BTC/USDT shows approximately 6,000 USDT on the order ticket.
• You place a buy order for 4,000 USDT of BTC.
• Because 4,000 USDT exceeds your 2,000 USDT collateral, the platform auto-borrows the difference: 2,000 USDT.
• That 2,000 USDT is your debt: it shows as a negative balance in your Margin Wallet. Hourly interest is disclosed on the ticket before you confirm and accrues each hour the debt is open.
• After the order fills, your Margin Level is calculated from the value of your collateral plus the open BTC position, divided by your debt (including accrued interest). As BTC price moves, your Margin Level moves with it.
To understand exactly how Trading Power is determined and why it isn't a simple leverage slider, read "What is Trading Power and how does it relate to leverage?"
4. Monitor your risk
Keep an eye on your Margin Level. You'll get a warning if you're getting close to liquidation territory. In this version, liquidation affects your entire account if your Margin Level hits the threshold.
5. Close your positions
Check your open positions in the Positions tab. To close them, place an opposite order in the main Alpha tab. The system automatically uses the proceeds to pay interest first, then the borrowed amount.
Important:
Borrowed assets show up as negative in your wallet (like "-5 LTC"). This helps you see exactly what you owe and keeps your Combined Balance accurate.